7th May 2024

A global perspective on creativity and innovation

Ruth Mortimer on how attitudes to creativity and innovation vary around the world

Episode 6

Ruth Mortimer

Global President, Advertising Week

Ruth Mortimer is the Global President of Advertising Week, so it’s fair to say that she has an unusually broad perspective on our industry, on clients and of course on agencies. 

In this episode, you can really feel her breadth of knowledge – as well as her passion for creativity – as she compares and contrasts different markets. In particular, Ruth unpacks what’s holding back the UK market, as well as what agencies can do about it. 

She also shares her very personal perspectives on AI – not least how it can democratise creativity by bringing voices and innovations into the industry. 

Ruth’s optimism is infectious and her examples are inspiring. So if that sounds like a good way to invest half an hour, then you’ll definitely enjoy this episode.

Highlights: 

[03.39] Creativity from a global perspective and how the industry can be different in different places.

[08.43] What causes the lack of creative business problem-solving in the UK? 

[13.31] The right government can open new possibilities to the UK advertising industry.

[16.00] How can we remedy the lack of hope and optimism in the industry? 

[23.39] The impact AI brings to the creative web. 

[28.14] How AI could be a great tool to introduce new voices to the creative industry.

[31.38] Diversity and its impact on a successful business

[35.57] Practical advice for industry leaders.

Previous episodes

The quest for agency simplification

Episode 20

Ruud Wanck

CEO, Candid

From phoney to fearless: building an agency ‘for the culture’

Episode 19

Omid Farhang

Founder & CEO, Majority

Honest leadership in times of change

Episode 18

Josh Krichefski

CEO, GroupM EMEA

The risks of malicious obedience

Episode 17

Greg Hahn

Co-founder, Mischief

Why creativity relies on diversity

Episode 16

Jo Wallace

Global ECD, Jellyfish

The business case for differentiation

Episode 15

Anthony Freedman

CEO, Common Interest

When change becomes transformation

Episode 14

Neil Perkin

Founder, Only Dead Fish

How to maintain entrepreneurialism at scale

Episode 13

Tim Ringel

CEO, Meet The People

How AI is changing the agency business model

Episode 12

Chris Johnson

CEO, TomorrowToday

The secrets of successful client relationships

Episode 11

Alex Lubar

Global CEO, DDB

The recipe for agency swagger

Episode 10

Natalie Graeme

Founder, Uncommon Creative Studio

Building careers in a changing world

Episode 9

Sue Unerman

Chief Transformation Officer, EssenceMediacomX

The profound impact of being yourself

Episode 8

Harjot Singh

Global Chief Strategy Officer, McCann & McCann Worldgroup

How to create healthy growth

Episode 7

Katie Lee

Chief Operating Officer, Wavemaker

Fighting for diversity is not enough

Episode 5

Rob Campbell

Chief Strategy Officer, Colenso BBDO

Meeting the needs of modern clients

Episode 4

David Meikle

Founder, The HTBAG Company

A new game plan for agencies

Episode 3

Michael Farmer

Chairman and CEO, Michael Farmer and Co.

How agency CEOs can compete with talent's need for freedom

Episode 2

Faris Yakob

Co-Founder, Genius Steals

Where does innovation really come from?

Episode 1

Rory Sutherland

Vice Chairman, Ogilvy UK

Stay in
the know

Subscribe to Breaking Bland – our regular digest of recent podcast episodes, articles and Marketing Week columns.

"*" indicates required fields