Question Everything

Curiosity owners share their learnings, friendship, and journey after six years of leading an independent creative agency. 

Question Everything host Ashley Walters sits down with fellow owners President Trey Harness and Chief Creative Officer Jeff Warman. Besides being long-time partners, they’re also long-time friends – and in this episode – they share the most defining moments from their six years of ownership. Plus, they give a sneak peek at what we’re cooking up for 2025.

Must-hear moments from this episode include: feedback that changed the trajectory of their careers, why Curiosity views special creative as “Art in Overalls,” and what Curiosity is bringing to the table in 2025 – including a brand new office space.      

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• The incredible Curiosity origin story

• Impactful feedback that will propel anyone forward in their career

• Why Curiosity decided to buy and design a new office space

• The most meaningful ways all three have leaned in as owners

• What the Shelf Theory is and where Curiosity sits

• Jeff’s creative philosophy: Art in Overalls

• Moments where Curiosity’s culture went above and beyond 

• What the industry can expect from Curiosity in 2025

Resources:

• See more of what Curiosity is about on our website

• Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn

• Connect with Trey on LinkedIn

• Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn

Dan Jeffries shares how agency and client relationships can get off track and how to get the chemistry back.

Dan Jeffries is a seasoned consultant who has worked with some of the most recognizable brands in the world, including Samsung, PetSmart, Capital One, Sonic, and AutoZone. His consulting firm doesn’t stop at matching CMOs with agencies, he offers a comprehensive agency management program to maintain top-notch performance throughout the client-agency relationship. 

Must-hear moments from this episode include: How CMOs can repair broken client-agency relationships, why the pitch will never fully be ditched, and how to end a client-agency relationship with grace.      

What you'll learn in this episode: 

• How CMOs can repair a broken client-agency relationship

• The number one reason why clients and agencies butt heads

• Why agencies should never rewrite their own brief  

• The difference between agency compensation models 

• Dan’s POV on the ditch the pitch movement 

• How clients can be better clients 

• How an agency can end a client relationship with grace

Resources:

• Learn more about Dan and Jeffries Consulting on his website

• Connect with Dan on LinkedIn

Doug Zanger unpacks why the industry is in its indie agency era and the power of asking great questions.

Doug Zanger, or Uncle Advertising, as he likes to call himself, is the founder of Indie Agency News: A global platform for independent agencies to connect, collaborate, and promote their best work. Before founding Indie Agency News, Zanger was a student of the industry, cutting his teeth at Adweek, The Martin Agency, Nike, and more – helping him develop the underrated skill of asking better questions to uncover better insights.

Must-hear moments from this episode include: why CMOs should pay attention to independent agencies, stumping Oprah with a killer question, and some of the best ads from indies in 2024.    

What you will learn in this episode: 

• Why the best creative work is coming from independent agencies

• The power of asking great questions 

• The power of a light-up question

• How to embody a top CMO’s voice

• The Indie Agency News sister agency program

• What the next generation can teach the industry about marketing

• Some of the best independent agency campaigns from 2024

• What goes into the perfect VO read

Resources:

• Indie Agency News site

• Indie Agency News Top 40 list

• Alzheimer’s Research UK “Change The Ending”

• Dude Wipes “Drop Your Drawers”

• Manscaped “The Boys”

Christine Guilfoyle reveals the power of the SHEconomy and how brands can be a force for growth, good, and girls.

President of SeeHer Christine Guilfoyle believes if you see her, you can be her. But how do you convince CMOs that the accurate representation of women in marketing and media isn’t just a moral decision, but a savvy business decision? By creating SeeHer’s Gender Equality Measure (GEM) tool: the first data-driven methodology for identifying gender bias in media to deliver insights that grow businesses and help push the industry forward.

Must-hear moments from this episode include how CMOs can tap into the SHEconomy, how brands can be a force for growth and good, and why your brand’s next big move should be supporting women in sports. 

What you will learn in this episode: 

• The SHEconomy and how marketers are tapping into it

• Why Marc Pritchard says “Brands must be a force for growth and a force for good.”

• The power of GEM, how SeeHer measures it, and what CMOs can learn

• Behind-the-scenes of the SeeHer Award at the Critics Choice Awards

• The Taylor Swift effect on the NFL

• How women sports has grown in popularity

• The brands doing the best job representing women accurately

Resources:

• Read our top 5 takeaways from this episode here

• Learn more about SeeHer

• Connect with Christine on LinkedIn

• See Curiosity’s work for SeeHer on Instagram

• P&G “Train like an olympian smell like you didn’t”

• Dove “Real women redefine beauty” 

Lisa Martinelli discusses retail marketing strategies and how to build brand loyalty. Listen to this podcast with Lisa.

Stop & Shop’s Vice President of marketing Lisa Martinelli gives advice on how CMOs can strengthen their brand. Lisa’s experience supporting marketing operations for CVS and Stop & Shop makes her very well-versed in marketing strategies for major retailers. Retail marketing is less common than marketing for a consumer good or service, however, there are many strategic parallels.  

Must-hear moments from this episode include the two secrets to big marketing moves, why tension is the strategic ingredient to writing a good brief, and why you need to live your brand purpose. This podcast is a mini masterclass on brand building. 

What you will learn in this episode with Lisa: 

• Brands that are bold and first to market make it 

• Why it’s important to be purpose-led 

• How a brand can get on a major grocer's shelf 

• How innovative technology can improve customer experience

• What a review is like from a CMO’s perspective 

• Why one of the most important audiences for a brand is its employees

• What brand loyalty looks like and how to build it

• The impact of a viral TikTok on a business

• How to live your brand purpose 

• How a CMO evaluates strategy

• The benefits of an in-house content studio 

Resources:

• Watch the viral Stop & Shop TikTok 

• Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

• Learn more about Stop and Shop 

Simone and Rachel discuss best practices for agencies to gain new business. Listen to this podcast with Simone and Rachel. 

NBZ Co-founders Simone Mandel and Rachel Segall compare agency matchmaking to setting a friend up on a blind date. They tell us about their process with brands looking to work with agencies that will approach their brief with modern solutions. These two are working with the unusual suspects to secure long-term relationships with clients. 

Simone brings 18 years of experience driving new business for agencies Ogilvy, VMLYR, and Futurebrand. Rachel is a master brand builder – helping launch iconic brands like Seedlip AND leading global accounts for Colgate, Intel, and General Mills in her 15-year career. Safe to say they know a thing or two about the industry. In today's episode, they drop some knowledge on effective agency branding, how to build a pipeline without cold calling, and how to win with CMOs who choose project-based work.

What you will learn in this episode with Simone Mandel & Rachel Segall: 

• How agency branding can fill your pipeline

• Why showing up as yourself is vital for a successful pitch

• How to activate your network 

• What happens in the exclusive NBZ Slack Channel

• How modern technology is changing the BD space

• How to have an engaging meeting in the shortest amount of time 

• How an agency can find its superpower

• Why there are fewer AOR gigs and more project-based work in the industry

Resources:

• Read our top 5 takeaways from this episode here

• Learn more about NBZ by visiting their website 

• Connect with Simone Mandel on Linkedin

• Connect with Rachel Segall on Linkedin

• Checkout Waldo a new AI tool that is helping BD

Pete Carter shares his top P&G marketing campaigns and what catches a CMO's attention. Listen to this podcast with Pete Carter.

If you have pitch fatigue, you’re not alone. This week, we’re sitting down with one of the original “ditch the pitch” advocates, Pete Carter of Creative Haystack. With an impressive 41-year tenure at P&G, Pete knows all about memorable marketing campaigns and what really catches the attention of a CMO. 

For over four decades, Pete had a role in creating some of the most iconic campaigns of all time and reshaped how P&G thinks about its relationships with agencies. Today, we talk about gems like the heart-warming Pampers "Peace on Earth" spot and the Pantene "Strong is Beautiful" anthem that made the Top 3 best Super Bowl ads...without even airing nationally.

After we unpack P&G’s best moments, Pete shares his battle-tested wisdom for CMOs and marketers. He emphasizes nailing your brand positioning before anything else, the importance of finding agency partners who are a culture fit, and why he believes agencies need to “ditch the pitch” — which is easier said than done.

Pete Carter gives great advice for agencies and CMOs on how to work better together to create impactful campaigns with staying power—from perfecting selling lines to bringing impressive case studies to brands that really show them what you’re capable of.

What you will learn in this episode with Pete Carter: 

• How to last more than 18 months as a CMO

• How P&G accidentally earned Super Bowl coverage

• The best work P&G has ever created, according to Pete Carter

• Why agencies and brands should consider ditching the pitch

• The best and worst elevator pitches Pete has seen

• Why CMOs should consider implementing a fixed and flow process

• How to write a selling line that sticks with people for years

Resources:

• Read our top 5 takeaways from this episode here

• Learn more about Pete Carter by visiting his website

• Email: [email protected]

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-carter-9509404/

• Watch the Tide Talking Stain Super Bowl ad

• Watch the Pantene Super Bowl ad

• Watch the Pampers Peace on Earth Commercial

• Read this interview with Pete Carter on advertising FMCGs

Author and Founder of Daily Creative Todd Henry, shares inspiration for marketing leaders and creative leadership.

You’ll get inspiration, insights, and more from our conversation with Todd Henry the “arms dealer for the creative revolution.” Arms dealer for the creative revolution is a fitting title for Todd as he spent two decades researching the best practices talented people can undergo to get the most out of themselves. Lucky for us, we got a sliver of his extensive knowledge in this episode. You can find more of what he has to say on his podcast, the Daily Creative, or in the many books he has written. 

In this episode, Todd shares his how-to’s for several topics ranging from courageous leadership to curing imposter syndrome. Our conversation gives you the tools needed to navigate different conflicts in your career. You’ll take away important lessons like why it is better to lead by influence, not control, and how morning routines disrupt the status quo. Tune in. 

What you will learn in this episode is about capturing the attention of big brands as a small agency from Mercer Island Group:

• Why the future and the present belong to the curious 

• The danger of wanting to always be liked vs being effective as a leader

• Why a lack of conflict is often a sign of a tremendous lack of health in an organization  

• Why leading by fear is not sustainable in the long term 

• How to lead teams by influence, not control

• The difference between self-awareness and imposter syndrome 

• The key to overcoming imposter syndrome 

• The two things talented people need from their leaders to avoid creative burnout 

• Why managing teams and agencies through bounded autonomy sets you up for success

• How morning routines disrupt the status quo and carve out space for your life

• Todd’s journey from country singer to the creative leader he is today

Resources:

• Find Todd’s newest book on what it takes to be an exceptional leader, The Brave Habit here

• Read Herding Tigers for more tips that’ll help those leading creatives 

• Creatives can learn how to avoid burnout in Todd’s Accidental Creative book  

• Listen to more of Todd’s thoughts on the Daily Creative podcast on Spotify 

• A More Beautiful Question by Warren Burger

• Visit toddhenry.com to see more of his books and podcast

Connect with Todd on LinkedIn

What’s it like to be in charge of deploying some of the nation’s most important messages? Just ask Ad Council’s Chief Campaign Development Officer Michelle Hillman. She gives us insight into launching public service campaigns that tackle complex issues such as gun violence, the opioid crisis, and buzzed driving. Spoiler alert, it ain’t easy, but after working on it for 24 years with a stacked Creative Review Committee she makes it look like it is. 

In this episode, Michelle reveals how Ad Council uses emotional advertising to change behavior, how CMOs can build a world-class creative review committee, and tips for how to be a top-tier mentor. 

Here’s a quick recap of the convo:

Why Michelle believes working at Ad Council is one of the best jobs in advertising

The importance of immersive research when creating effective emotional advertising

What grabs the attention of judges at the Effie Awards

How Ad Council’s legendary creative review committee evaluates ideas

How CMOs can build a creative review board to vet their ideas – including how to entice industry legends like Cindy Gallop, Susan Credle, and Margaret Johnson to sign on

How Ad Council uses influencers and the importance of a trusted messenger strategy 

How Michelle creates separation between the tough issues she’s tackling at work and her home life

What it’s like to work with the government on public service campaigns 

How to make it on Ad Council's trusted roster of agency partners

The most challenging public issues to build awareness for and why

What it takes to be a world-class mentor

Plus, some rapid-fire questions that reveal whether Michelle prefers puppies or kittens

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn and find out more about Ad Council here.

Catch our latest work with Ad Council and the NHTSA for “Buzzed Driving Prevention.”

If you’d prefer to read the biggest takeaways from our conversation, catch the write-up here.

They say entrepreneurs are self-starters with high energy. We definitely felt that was true after chatting with the Co-Founder and CEO of pH-D Deeannah Seymour. Deeannah started pH-D, with the goal of creating affordable and convenient vaginal suppositories, that make women confident in their everyday lives. 

In this episode, Deennah tells us her story and mission for pH-D. We talk about destigmatizing feminine hygiene and what it’s like to be one of the few women CEOs in the category. On top of that, we touch on what it means to be an Insurgent Brand and how to leverage TikTok as a marketing tool. 

Here’s a quick recap of the convo:

How to walk in and own the room – especially when you’re the only woman

How conviction leads to courage and what that has looked like for pH-D

Challenges that came with being the first brand to say the word “vagina” on TV

The secret to getting and staying on the shelves of major retailers across North America

Knowing when to take that leap of faith 

The miraculous experience of being a living organ donor and how it’s shaped Deeannah as a leader

Seeing firsthand how pH-D has changed the lives of women across the nation

What it means to make Bain and Company’s 2024 Insurgent Brand list 

How to leverage TikTok as a powerful marketing tool 

Plus, some rapid-fire questions that showed where Deeannah’s heart lies. 

Connect with Deeannah on LinkedIn and learn more about pH-D on their website 

If you’d prefer to read the biggest takeaways from our conversation, catch the write-up here.

Articles Mentioned:

Bain & Company’s 2024 Insurgent Brand List

NSFW TikTok video

Consider this your all-access pass to advertising’s top agency/client matchmakers. We’re chatting with power couple Robin and Steve Boehler of Mercer Island Group, the West Coast's top consultancy firm helping both brands and agencies solve critical business and organizational challenges.

In this episode, Robin and Steve reveal all the insider info behind the agency review process — from how to catch a marketer’s attention to what clients want to see in a pitch. They share tips on mastering the all-important "tissue session," the magic small agencies bring to a pitch, why chemistry and listening skills are make-or-break for agencies and so much more.

Here’s a quick recap of the convo: 

What the agency landscape looks like in 2024

What an agency can do to get a CMO's attention

Robin and Steve's perspective on DEI in the industry and what role it plays in agency matchmaking 

The magic smaller shops bring to the pitch that larger agencies should take note of

Three things a CMO should consider when hiring a new agency

Whether or not the awards an agency wins matters to CMOs

How to master the tissue session  

When it is acceptable for agencies to pull out of a pitch

Why agency pitch teams are not favorable for many clients 

Plus, some rapid-fire questions that’ll have you on the edge of your seat

Connect with Robin and Steve on LinkedIn.

Catch our favorite takeaways from this can't-miss episode here: https://www.curiosity.fun/thoughts/5-insider-strategies-from-agency-matchmakers-robin-and-steve-boehler

Feast your eyes on Robin and Steve's tissue session strategies here.

Who doesn’t love a good inside scoop? As a Senior Reporter for Ad Age, Brian Bonilla is not only a captivating writer but also a crystal ball for the industry. He’s written countless articles on topics ranging from agency mergers and acquisitions to top campaigns from the biggest brands. For Brian, the challenge isn’t a lack of industry tea to cover, it’s sifting through the mountain of emails vying for his attention.

Today’s episode is our Super Bowl special. In preparation for the Big Game, we settled in for Brian’s hottest takes on upcoming Super Bowl spots, the do’s and don'ts when promoting your agency, DEI improvements in the industry, and how to make the Ad Age A-List.

Here’s a quick recap of the convo:

Why the most talked about Super Bowl spots will come from snack and sportsbook brands

Three things agencies should know about when promoting themselves 

Spots that missed the mark at last year’s big game

How are DEI efforts progressing in the industry and what’s left to do

How the agency Highdive consistently produces spots that score big with audiences

What Martin Scorsese will bring to the short-form content world with his advertising debut

Why the Super Bowl may be losing relevance despite drawing a huge audience 

What it’s like to be in the room that decides who makes the Ad Age’s A-List 

Plus, some rapid-fire questions that’ll leave you breathless

Connect with Brian on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn.

If you’d prefer to read the biggest takeaways from our conversation, catch the write-up here.

Articles mentioned: 

Meet the mayors of Drip City

https://www.bkmag.com/2023/12/14/meet-the-mayors-of-drip-city/

How agencies are marketing themselves – and why it’s more important than ever

https://adage.com/article/agency-news/how-agencies-are-marketing-themselves-and-why-its-more-important-ever/2532731

The Ad Age Super Bowl playbook: https://adage.com/events/2521696

What Gen Z Wants to See from Super Bowl Advertisers: https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/what-gen-z-wants-super-bowl-advertisers/2539226

Secret’s out – P&G Brand Director (and Curiosity bestie) Grace Whitman has been (lightly) grilled by the Question Everything gameboard. And yes, all your burning questions about working in those iconic towers have been answered.

Grace serves as the Senior Brand Director for Secret – but we know her best from being the lead client on our Native No is our whoa work. Grace is known to be a master brief writer, data nerd, and an absolute blast on set.

Before Secret, Grace got her start at P&G working in R&D for baby care. After earning her stripes in P&G Consumer Market Knowledge, Grace went on to lead Native’s retail launch efforts and left her stamp on Old Spice.

Between astute marketing insights, prepare to catch some antics – including Grace’s choir career, her Yagoot FOMO, and her fascination with death. This is a can’t-miss episode.

Why the best briefs often take 5 months to create – and the consequences of rushing the process.

What P&G looks for in an agency and what totally turns them off.

Why it pains your client to give executional feedback and how to avoid it.

Why your brief should be like a contract that agencies and clients both sign. 

Why the most successful people are the ones who ask the questions everyone’s thinking.

How small shifts in language can make a brief endlessly more inspiring.

Why giving your agency internal political context can set them up for success.

What DTC brands have to learn from legacy brands and vice versa.

Why Cincinnati’s startup scene is one of the best.

Connect with Grace on LinkedIn here.

If you’d prefer to read the biggest takeaways from our conversation, catch the write-up here.

Extra, extra – Adweek’s Jameson Fleming has entered the chat. This news guru has held just about every role possible in the Adweek newsroom – now serving as Managing Editor of Marketing and Agencies. Our favorite thing about Jameson? His passion for agencies big and small makes him very accessible. Even to independent shops like ours.

But it hasn’t always been all advertising for Jameson. Before getting his start in the industry, he earned his stripes in sports: covering a Super Bowl, Final Four, and the longest college hoops game in history – all before he was 24, NBD. You may even have a hard time keeping up with all his sports references in this episode. We sure did.

On today’s episode, we unpack Jameson’s hottest takes on client-agency relationships, how to get on Adweek’s radar, industry talent, and the subtle art of creating edgy work without getting canceled.

Here’s a quick recap of the convo:

Why risky work is worth it – nobody talks about playing it safe.

Why brands shouldn’t be shy about sharing their work with the press – your competitors already know what you’re up to.

Mischief’s Greg Hahn on why building your agency’s brand is essential.

Why talent retention involves mentoring young minority talent.

Why striking a balance between remote and in-office work is essential for maintaining the productivity and creativity of a team.

Why having kids makes you a more empathetic leader.

Messaging masterclass: brands that nailed turning bad press into not-so-bad press.

What holiday gifts actually get the press’s attention.

Plus, the one person Jameson would drop everything to happy hour with.

Connect with Jameson on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or shoot him an email.

If you’d prefer to read the biggest takeaways from our conversation, catch the write-up here.

Ben Nunery is the co-founder and brain behind the incredible work at Powerhouse Factories, which makes “kick-ass design work for kick-ass bands.” Ben and a friend started Powerhouse out of a garage in 1999, and since his work has been used for artists like The Black Keys and Lizzo, and brands like Herbal Essences and Redbull. He is, at his core, a creative strategist with a passion for the ways music and design evoke emotional responses in people, but also a music knowledge connoisseur.

Today, Ben sits down with us (live and in person!) to talk shop about how he built his brand from a garage to a full-blown media corporation. He dives into all things creative - from the art of printmaking to the intersection of music and marketing - teaching us that so long as you have the ideas, the drive, and a good partner, you can make your passions your day job.                                                                    

Here are some of the notes we hit:

What poster bombing on college campuses can teach you about consumer behavior.

Why over-inspiring yourself with the work of others is actually counterproductive.

NFTs are defining a growing movement - why jumping on board could be your big break.

Why not having resources can actually spur creativity.

Going into business with your friend can work - if you treat it like a marriage.

How working out of a garage can turn into working for top global brands.

Must-reads from this episode: 

Show Posters by Pat Jones and Ben Nunery

Mind open, fork ready. Derek Wallace is the Co-founder and CEO of Kalamata’s Kitchen – a food adventure startup set to inspire the next generation of curious, courageous, and compassionate eaters.

After leaving his comfy corporate gig, Derek bet on himself and combined his passion for food and world exploration to live out new shared experiences with his son. Derek’s delicious new venture helps kids and grown-ups explore new cultures through food via the adventures of fictional character  Kalamata – think Dora the Explorers meets Anthony Bourdain. Her adventures span children's books, activities, kitchen gear, and more – and only have one rule: You must try everything at least twice.

Between sound bites, Derek takes a moment to discuss how becoming a dad influenced his decision to break away from the corporate world and create something his son can be proud of. His mantra? “Doing nothing should scare you more than doing something bold.” 

Dig into a few of the topics we covered:

Why you should MAKE it til you make it.

Having a villain in your field is more motivating than an advocate.

Normalizing betting on yourself when you take a risk.

Why adventurous-eating kids are more likely to grow into empathetic adults

Why becoming a working parent can be one of the best things for your career.

How to be one of 39% of campaigns that win on Kickstarter. (With a little help from Audrey Belliard.)

Connect with Derek on LinkedIn or Instagram, and check out everything Kalamata’s Kitchen here. 

Luna Malbroux is the founder and “Chief Vibe Officer” of Joy Channel. She’s an experienced facilitator, speaker, and leader in creating inclusive spaces. A self-described “joy evangelist” – she believes that fostering belonging, community, communication, connection and fun is the missing link in many approaches to DEI initiatives. She’s also an award-winning comedian, writer, musician, and public intellect whose work has been featured in KQED, NPR, Glamour Magazine, The Atlantic, and more. 

Today, Luna sits down to chat how unwavering dedication to a community, thought, or idea will take you and your brand far - and why building spaces where people can feel human is the best practice for an authentic (and fun!) work environment. Along the way, she shares the essentials of creating these connected communities. Between laughs and hard lessons, Luna teaches us about what it’s like to be a comedian, DEI consultant, and joyful human in this cultural climate. 

Here’s a peek at some of the topics we explore:

Why drag queens and burlesque dancers are the best teachers of equitable business practices.

How humor can be the key to opening people’s minds to difficult topics.

“Nothing about us, without us.” - The best way to partner with marginalized communities.

The key to doing it all is to give everything its season.

How to know if you’re practicing equity or just performing it – most brands aren’t good actors.

Why it’s not dangerous to be a comedian right now – unless you’re lazy.

Can’t get enough of Luna? Reach out on LinkedIn and Instagram.

On this episode of the QE podcast, listener-favorite Kelly Leonard is taking a well-earned victory lap. After dropping countless stories and lessons from his time at The Second City, he’s ready to once again face our gameboard and humor us with his industry wisdom for a second installment. His first episode is a must-listen, so if you missed it, be sure to check it out on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

If you’re new to Kelly, here’s a reintroduction: Kelly Leonard is the VP of Creative Strategy, Innovation, and Biz Dev @ The Second City where he’s hired and developed shows with Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Steve Carell, Keegan-Michael Key, Amy Poehler, and others. On top of this, he wrote the best-selling book  "Yes, And" and hosts the "Getting to Yes, And" podcast for Second City and WGN Radio in Chicago.

Here’s a preview of the gold he offers up in today’s episode:

If you want a raise in 2023, take a page from Ted Lasso’s book and work on your soft skills.

Why saying “yes, but” is just like saying “no” with a top hat.

You’ll never understand everything going on in a room - that’s why selfless curiosity is mandatory.

When you have an Amy Poehler on your team, find their place and don’t waste their talent.

Nothing truly innovative looks like it should make sense - otherwise it wouldn’t be innovative.

You achieve authenticity through your fiascos - not your perfections.

Why building the pedestal first is only the illusion of progress.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn and Twitter

Must-read mentions from this episode:

Quit by Annie Duke

The Language Game by Morten H. Christiansen and Nick Chater

The Song of Significance by Seth Godin

Reculturing by Melissa Daimler

Romond Duval is a copywriter at Curiosity – but we prefer the title: word architect. Romond is passionate about amplifying Black creative voices in the advertising industry and making genuine work that speaks to the culture. He’s worked for brands like Hennessy, Brooks Running, and Old Spice. After graduating from ONE School ATL, he spent time interning with agencies on the west and east coasts such as Wieden + Kennedy and Laundry Service before returning to his Ohio roots for his first full-time job at Curiosity. 

On today's episode of Question Everything, we sit down with the architect himself to chat about his ad industry insights and what copywriting means to him. Between being a rising voice for Black creatives and setting the trends, Romond teaches us the importance of being a concept’s #1 challenger - and not being afraid to reshape an idea until it resonates. 

Here’s some of his hot takes:

The secret to doing it all is actually being a serial quitter.

You have to always be asking for more – closed mouths don’t get fed.

The key to success on social media is writing like you’re talking to a friend.

As a copywriter, you don’t actually have to like writing – he doesn’t.

As a Black creative – creating alongside people who look like you will push your ideas further.

Being a first-generation college student has a silver lining, it’s that you set the bar.

Connect with Romond on LinkedIn and Instagram.

A must-read mentioned this episode:

The future is yesterday

“Working for and with Jessica was and still is the best career decision I've made, and I thank her for that. She makes every piece of work she touches and every individual she works with better. She's that good.” - Taylor Wiegert

Jessica George is a marketing superstar. Renowned for her outstanding leadership and ability to combine strategy with creativity, she brings a unique perspective to the marketing world. With a background in agency work, she made the transition to corporate three years ago and hasn’t looked back since. As VP of Marketing at GSR Brands, she brings pride and attention to the Cincinnati-local chains Gold Star Chili and Tom + Chee.

On today’s episode of Question Everything, I have the pleasure of chatting with Jessica George about what goes into leadership, preparation, listening, and understanding. Jessica teaches us a thing or two about what goes into managing a brand, while recalling her previous roles in agencies and outlining the secret recipe to marketing success. 

During our conversation, hear her insights about:

Listening, Observing, and Absorbing, aka “LOA.”

Bringing a brand into a new era with pride and attention.

Why leadership and mentorship are different, but equally important. 

The meaning behind the acronym DD COI and how it inspires true behavior change.

Why thinking like an underdog keeps us hungry - and lights a fire under our ass.

Jessica’s pre-game prep for major speaking events.

How the four-day work week trades in hours in the office for motivation, fulfillment, and happiness.

Setting people up for success with commitment to their career path.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn and Facebook.