Bagley Talks to an Important Person

What happens when you finally get the big creative title and discover how little of the job is actually making things?In this episode, Jason sits down with Merkley+Partners CCO Matt MacDonald to talk about what it really takes to make great work and build a creative career without blindly chasing the next title. Jason Bagley and Matt talk about the reality of leading creative teams, why the next promotion isn’t always the right move, the limits of AI, and what great presenters know about selling bold ideas. They also get into impossible deadlines, protecting an idea from fatal feedback, and the work behind AT&T’s It Can Wait and Sandy Hook Promise.To stay connected with Jason, follow him on his socials:🌐 Website: https://schoolofastonishingpursuits.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-audacious-school-of-astonishing-pursuits/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolofastonishingpursuits/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astonishingpursuits💌 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://schoolofastonishingpursuits.com/#newsletter

The Art of Clever stupidity, and how to stop overthinking the funny out of things. #advertisingagency #creativeprocess #bagleytalkstoanimportantpersonA rocket car. A whale in sunglasses. A rough cut that looked like a career-ending mistake. In this episode, Jason sits down with MIRIMAR Executive Creative Director and Partner Nick Morrissey to talk about making ridiculous ideas work—and knowing when you’re thinking them to death.They revisit the making of Old Spice’s Rocket Car, unpack Nick’s “say the thing” approach to protecting great work, and explore how a few words can become a platform for an entire business. Plus: the QuickBooks pitch they loved and lost, what changes when you become a creative director, and why rapping for 2 Chainz went exactly as badly as you’d expect.To stay connected with Jason, follow him on his socials:🌐 Website: https://schoolofastonishingpursuits.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-audacious-school-of-astonishing-pursuits/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theschoolofastonishingpursuits/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astonishingpursuits💌 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://schoolofastonishingpursuits.com/#newsletter

Jessica Shriftman is currently a freelance creative director with 14 years of experience in an ad agency and startup advertising. Her background lies in art direction, strategy, and creative direction, spanning the gamut of concept to content. She’s known in the industry for delivering thought-provoking ideas that propel brands into pop culture, garnering press and transforming sales. She was selected three times for Business Insider’s list of The Most Creative People In Advertising and was named a Next Creative Leader and Female Frontier by Campaign US. Jessica’s work has received accolades from Emmy nominations to Cannes Lions and D&AD pencils.Jason’s Free Masterclass Training:The 7 Secrets to Becoming a Legendary Creative DirectorLearn The Secrets And Techniques Of The World's Best Advertising Pros:https://schoolofastonishingpursuits.com/Follow Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-bagley-96b33612/Jessica’s Portfolio: https://jessicashriftman.com/ 

Jeff is a creative director and art director with over 13 years of experience in advertising, branding, and craft service table critiquing (aka production). After graduating from the VCU BrandCenter, he began his career at Wieden + Kennedy, working on brands like Southern Comfort, ESPN, and Nike Jordan. He’s also led campaigns for Heineken, Miller Lite, Upwork, Amazon, NBA2K, and Jose Cuervo. He most recently received the Grand Prix Film Lion for Apple’s “R.I.P Leon”. Despite the multiple Gold Lions he’s won over the years and now uses as paper weights and doorstops, he still has never set foot in France.Jeff is a lifelong fan of country and soul music, documentary films, photography books, and the great outdoors. They all inspire his work and approach to creative problem-solving. Jason’s Free Masterclass Training:The 7 Secrets to Becoming a Legendary Creative DirectorLearn The Secrets And Techniques Of The World's Best Advertising Pros:https://schoolofastonishingpursuits.com/Follow Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-bagley-96b33612/Subscribe to Jason’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@theasap.schoolJeff’s Website: https://jeffreylawrencefishburnedryer.com/

Ashley Marshall has been an ECD at The Martin Agency for over two years, where she has lead teams to make some of the most talked about work for brands, including Axe, Old Navy, Chobani, Carmax and GEICO. Previously she held the position of creative director at Wieden + Kennedy, where she lead teams to create iconic work for Old Spice, Samsung, Facebook and Secret.  Her career began as a copywriter at Chiat Day in 2002, where she helped create the still running Blank the Rainbow campaign for Skittles.  Her work has been recognized by One Show, One Show Interactive, London International, Andy Awards, D&AD, Cannes Lions, Clios, Facebook Studio Awards, Webby’s, Art Directors Club, Local ADDY and National ADDY Awards and she was a 2022 recipient of Campaign Magazine’s Female Frontier Award.She graduated from The University of North Texas in 2000 and Creative Circus in 2002 and believes strongly in the power of strategic insights + creativity to solve our biggest business challenges with ideas people love.Jason’s Infinite Idea Generator: https://shorturl.at/i4kZ5 Jason’s Free Masterclass Training: The 7 Secrets to Becoming a Legendary Creative DirectorLearn The Secrets And Techniques Of The World's Best Advertising Pros:https://shorturl.at/IyBVaFollow Jason on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-bagley-96b33612/Ashley’s Website: https://www.ashleydavismarshall.me/