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A collection of conversations with creatives for your earholes. Always more to come. 

Sessions: the complete collection

Dad, runner, cyclist, and executive creative director at one of the world’s premier ad agencies. Just don’t call him “Adman” or he could easily choke you out. (Seriously.) Advertising, meet jiu-jitsu, meet Joe Staples. 

Joe’s made a remarkable career in advertising. Here, he shares insights about himself and the pursuit of not sucking that anyone who values real creativity, powerfully and artfully applied, needs to hear. We caught up with him and his dog Archie at Velo Cult bike shop in Portland, because we both like bikes and the space is pretty great to just sit down and chat.

Recorded 1/26/15.

Joe Staples / Have a Nice Idea

Jelly’s experience inside some of the most renowned agencies of the past 30 years is something everyone can learn from. He’s part creative director, part creative educator. And in the end, the world’s a better place because he’s both.

He’s convinced about 3 people will want to hear his stories. (We think it's at least double that. Proof he’s not always right.) So much good stuff in here about "Advertising: the early years," and how an always-on passion that fueled him way back when has morphed into a new perspective on how great work gets done today.   

And yes, there's the name. Meet David "Jelly" Helm, Principal and CD at Studio Jelly. 

Recorded 2/23/15 at Velo Cult Bike Shop in Portland, OR. 


Jelly Helm / Have a Nice Idea

Before digital design had any kind of best practices, there were those passionate few who could see what wasn’t working, ignored what “you’re supposed to do” and just fixed it. Elegantly. With soul. And maybe a little magic.

Meet JD Hooge, of Instrument. He doesn't pursue awards, doesn't need the spotlight. But together, he and those around him have set the standard for what “best” can look like in digital design. Never the same. Inspired by everything, and always on to What’s Next.

Originally recorded on the plush and velvety couches upstairs at Portland’s classic Hollywood Theater, 5/12/15. See what Instrument is up to at Instrument.com 

JD Hooge / Have a Nice Idea

Danielle is Chief Creative Officer, Americas at POSSIBLE. A fitting agency name for someone who’s never settled for "what is" when "what could be" was out there to be made. And who better to make it, than her.

We talk circle-of-creative-life (girl inspired by “If you let me play,” campaign in 1995, meets female writer of said campaign at 3% Conference, becomes Facebook friends with said woman!), the joy of creating national campaigns featuring unusually narrow audiences (polygamists!), and what gender has to do with creating great work (nothing! and everything!) 

Recorded beneath the velvet paintings at POSSIBLE's Seattle office, 12/1/15.

Danielle Trivisonno Hawley / Have a Nice Idea

Who wants to be "Art Director No. 729"? Sure, everybody wants to work on the hot accounts, but as the principal and founder of WONGDOODY puts it, "It's a lot easier to make a name for yourself where nothing good has been done before." Exactly how Tracy Wong made a name for himself early on, owning reams of CA Annuals, One Shows and countless awards ever since.

These days, he may be even better known for the radical idea of taking ownership of creativity out of the creative department—its good and proper place ;-)—and turning it over the keys to the kingdom to everyone—even (gasp) The Client. This is what real, true collaboration looks like today and how fantastically better work happens because of it. Welcome to Tracy's "Creative Democracy" ›› http://www.creativedemocracy.com/

Recorded at WONGDOODY's Seattle office, 12/1/15.

Tracy Wong / Have a Nice Idea

A podcast spotlighting the creative soul of people with creative minds. And vice versa. 

Hear how some of the creative world's best got into the business, what keeps them in it and how great work gets to be that way. That, and whatever else comes up. 

Hosted by Andy Askren, ECD at Grady Britton in Portland, OR.