7th October 2025
Andrew Swinand on AI, scale and the reshaping of the industry
Episode 48
Andrew Swinand
CEO, Inspired Thinking Group (ITG)
Today’s guest is Andrew Swinand, CEO of Inspired Thinking Group, a PE-backed and AI-enabled content business that is scaling faster than most in our industry. With two decades at Publicis, including running Leo Burnett and leading creative in the US, Andrew brings a rare dual perspective on both the creative and operational sides of the business.
He shares why the HoldCo.s are trapped in the classic Innovator’s Dilemma and how AI is reshaping the economics of content production. But far from AI replacing creativity, Andrew explains why operational AI is actually paving the way for a new creative renaissance.
From automating tens of thousands of assets, to rethinking how talent and technology combine, Andrew cuts through the noise to offer a clear view of the pressures and possibilities facing agencies today.
HIGHLIGHTS
[01:54] Taking the entrepreneurial path
[04:32] Why AI won’t replace creativity
[07:53] Blockers to agency innovation
[13:37] Delivering scale and speed
[17:53] Fear, uncertainty and hype
[23:46] Generative AI’s real limits
[25:18] A new creative renaissance
[30:48] Leading with honesty
[32:37] Embracing humanity
Previous episodes
The changing face of innovation
Episode 72
Enda King
Head of Innovation, Accenture
Evolving your core discipline
Episode 71
Jonathan Emmins
Founder and Global CEO, Amplify
From back office to boardroom
Episode 70
Greg Caplan
Co-Founder, Dovetail IT
Being a media indie in 2026
Episode 69
Jenny Biggam
Owner, the7stars
Thriving in the AI industrial revolution
Episode 68
Justin Billingsley
Co-Founder, Simbioniq
Growth in the ‘Goldilocks’ zone
Episode 67
Ben Rudman
Executive Director, MSQ
When a client CMO leads an agency
Episode 66
Zaid Al-Qassab
Global CEO, M+C Saatchi Group
Raising the bar for customer experience
Episode 65
Craig Elimeliah
CCO, Code and Theory
Showing up with a point of view
Episode 64
Sean McDonald
Global Chief Strategy Officer, Rethink
Redefining on-demand talent
Episode 63
Christine Olivas
Practice Director - Advertising & Brand Marketing, Toptal
How principles are good for business
Episode 62
Jared Belsky
CEO and Co-Founder, Acadia
Why Dentsu believes in agency brands
Episode 61
Beth Ann Kaminkow
CEO, Dentsu North America
A life more curious
Episode 60
Zoe Scaman
Founder, Bodacious
Inside Coke’s AI-powered Christmas campaign
Episode 59
PJ Pereira and Andrew O'Dell
Co-Founders, Pereira O’Dell and SILVERSIDE
Going deep on decision-making
Episode 58
Olivia Morley & Brian Wieser
Co-hosts, Agency Business
Making it ‘worth it’
Episode 57
Luke McKelvey
CEO, MIRIMAR
A rallying cry for brilliance
Episode 56
Richard Huntington
Former Chief Strategy Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi London
Why female ownership matters
Episode 55
Christy Hiler
CEO, Cornett
Excellence as usual
Episode 54
Tyler Turnbull
Global CEO, FCB
What’s in a name?
Episode 53
Zihla Salinas
CEO, Yes&
Culture, entertainment and commerce
Episode 52
Jarrod Moses
Global CEO, UEG
Unpacking the ‘Power of One’
Episode 51
Loren Grossman
Global CSO, Publicis Groupe
Comedy’s greatest ad agency
Episode 50
Haley Hunter
Co-founder, Party Land
Building modern legends
Episode 49
Jaime Robinson & Lisa Clunie
Co-founders, JOAN
Subscribe to
Believe in Better
Our regular newsletter helps your agency stand out and grow faster. Packed with new thought pieces and our latest podcast episodes.
"*" indicates required fields
Our regular newsletter helps your agency stand out and grow faster. Packed with new thought pieces and our latest podcast episodes.
