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What’s the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently? 

I enjoyed the Christopher Walken Talkin' Like Walken BMW spot, and the VW An American Love Story ad. Neither one is groundbreaking work, but both are well-executed and effective.

BMW – Talkin Like Walken

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What website(s) do you use most regularly?

Google. It helps me figure things out. And YouTube videos for DIY home plumbing, or understanding the cosmos.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?

The iPhone 15pro (for the camera) after my old iPhone was left on the roof of the car. And a gold-plated digital Casio watch. Groundbreaking tech from the 80’s.

What product could you not live without?

I keep bicycles in every city if I spend a bit of time there. I love to discover places on two wheels. Actually, this reminds me that there is a rusty Bianchi locked to a tree in Paris that has been there for at least three years. Somebody, please oil it.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

I loved Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario, and his previous film, Sick of Myself. I was especially impressed by the editing. Kristoffer is credited as the editor, so good job, Kristoffer. If you ever decide to change editors, I’m your man!

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

Midnight Cowboy. Incredible acting, storytelling, and a historical document of a New York City long gone. Comedy, tragedy, and some of the greatest cinematography and editing ever. And Tropic Thunder, to laugh hard.

What’s your preferred social media platform? 

Old school Instagram, although it’s rotting my mind and ruining my sleep. On a positive note, my cold plunge just arrived, and I have a lifetime supply of alternative mushroom-based coffee.

What’s your favourite TV show?

The Curse. Dark, funny and incredibly uncomfortable. I also love Beef

What’s your favourite podcast? 

One of the originals: S-Town. I also listen to The Moth for smaller bites of magic. I tend to enjoy the limited series format... I need an ending.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

Serge Attukwei Clottey, at Simchowitz Gallery DTLA; he’s a Ghanaian artist who uses local recycled elements in his paintings and sculptures. But I love architecture and design, so I often go to shows and find myself fascinated by the space, the lighting, the framing of the art, or even the cement floor. This may be a problem.

If you could only listen to one music artist from now on, who would it be?

Hard one. I’m a creature of variety. But on a desert island situation, probably Tom Waits. Or Radiohead. Or Coltrane. Or Wu-Tang. Or Velvet Underground…

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

Be bolder. Trust that people will respond to original ideas and visual storytelling that challenges them, rather than just pleases the eye or seems familiar.

Who or what has most influenced your career?

Terrence Malick, my film mentor, gave me the confidence to trust my creative instincts. He also taught me that the creative process needs to be playful. And Hank Corwin, who brought me into advertising and supported me through it. I share with him the need to breathe life into footage after it’s been shot, and approach it without limitations. The edit is a new beginning.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know.

I wrote and directed the independent feature film After The Fall, starring Wes Bentley. I feel weird promoting it, but my producer confirmed that it’s ethically fine to do so because no revenue from the millions of rentals that this interview will clearly inspire will ever end up in my pocket. (Don’t get me started on Indie film distribution.) But please watch it. Many great people put their hearts into it. Also, I have a cat called Fernando that likes to bite.

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