The Badlands

In the first episode of Season 2 of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Andrew Boatman, Andrew is highly experienced international Agency leader turned Consultant, with an impressive career at some of the worlds biggest agencies. In this episode Andrew and I discuss his journey journey through the advertising and consultancy industries, discussing his experiences in Singapore, the challenges of relocating during a pandemic, and the evolving landscape of marketing. We reflect on the impact of age on job opportunities, the rise of smaller agencies, and the importance of subject matter expertise. Andrew also discusses his plans to start his own consultancy, Rushmore Growth Consulting, aimed at helping small to medium-sized enterprises navigate their marketing challenges. Along with some tips and advice on job hunting with purpose in 2025. We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone in need of a highly experienced Ad man / Consultant. Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

In this special episode of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Richard Robinson, Richard is the human version of LinkedIn. Given his time in the agency world and the intermediary world running Oystercatchers and now Executive Director of Ingenuity +, he simply knows everyone and everyone knows him! In this conversation, Richard shares his extensive experience in marketing and advertising, discussing the challenges faced by professionals in the industry today, particularly those in transition. We talk about the importance of personal branding, networking, and Richard introduces the concept of 'inbetweeners' (those currently out of work) and advocates for recognising their value and contributions, regardless of their employment status. We discuss effective job search strategies and the significance of investing time in career development outside of regular working hours. Finally Richard gives his views on the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025. We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone that doesn’t know Richard. (all 3 of them) Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

From Global CMO to CMO Coach..a story of pivoting. In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with Andrew Garrihy, Andrew is highly experienced CMO now a CMO coach, with an impressive career at some of the worlds biggest Brands, including Vodafone, Samsung and Hauwei. In this special episode Andrew takes us from his days of leading the Global Marketing for Hauwei to now helping the CMOs of tomorrow be better in every way. So as someone that was in the Badlands from time to time during his career he decided ultimately to pivot into a new career, something I know everyone in the Badlands for long enough considers. So today he talks about the need for setting realistic expectations to reduce stress during job searches, Keeping a weekly list of wins to boost morale and motivation and how Pivots in careers should be tailored to individual circumstances and how investing in personal development is crucial during transitions. Amongst many other things. We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone thinking about career transitions or pivot as this episode is packed with lots of help and advice. Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

Star Wars actor, TV Producer, Discoverer of Rag & Bone Ma? In this week's instalment of ⁠ The Badlands⁠ I’m talking with James Dillamore, James is an experienced TV Development Producer, having worked with major music labels to working on some the UK's biggest reality TV shows to pitching shows about the world's funniest Budgies to the back of his head staring in Star Wars! He joins me to talk his career to date, from finding some big music stars to navigating today's crazy Film and Television world. Which like the creative industry as a whole has a lot of issues and challenges. We discuss everything from burnout when looking for the UK's next big talent, to the relentless rejection of being a TV Development Producer which ironically should have prepared him for the last 12 months in the Badlands, we discuss the state of the film and television industry and the need for creatives to find new ways of showcasing their talent to the world. Obviously we discuss the power of networking in and amongst many other things. The Budgie show comes up a lot! (If anyone wants to make it please get in touch) We hope you Enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands or anyone that needs a new TV Development Producer with on screen skills to boot. Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

The perfect Two for 1 deal. In this week's instalment of @TheBadlandsJDC I’m talking with not 1 but 2 recruiters, whom between them have worked everywhere and across everything, Helen Kimber and Samantha Peace, They join me to talk about their new consultancy called Creative Connections, A specialist creative talent agency delivering the very best leadership, new business, strategic and innovation talent in the UK. Today we discuss their journey to the recent launch of Creative Connections, from working together on and off for over 2 decades, to what they are experiencing in the job market today, and what they are trying to deliver with their new consultancy, ALL very interesting and useful for anyone in the Badlands as well any in house talent teams that need a hand (you know who you are) We discuss ghosting, the lack of humanity, the need for change in the recruitment / head hunting sector. The power of networking and the need for better feedback mechanisms and the shift towards skills-based hiring. Amongst many other things. We hope you Enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in The Badlands and needs a new set of recruiters to help! or any in house talent team you have come across that could also do with some help. Now live and available on Spotify, Apple and Youtube.

Longest episode yet! Includes a guest appearance from our family puppy. In this instalment of The Badlands, I’m talking with an ex colleague, Damian Mckeown, Damian is highly experienced Chief Strategy officer, with career spanning time at Wieden + Kennedy to DDB to Droga5 along with a few more of biggest and best Ad Agencies in the world…BUT Ridiculously he is in the Badlands, So in this episode we start with a cameo from my our new family puppy ‘Jerry’, and then we dive into Damiens long and exceptional career. We discuss everything from Ernest Hemingway, writing letters to get noticed to a very specific colour blue. Along with self identity, the shift towards user-generated content and AI, the importance of human connection and the challenges of loneliness and ego during periods of unemployment. All the while trying to offer up some tips and advice for everyone else in the Badlands. We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in the need of a Fire Extinguisher salesman or a highly experience Chief Strategy Officer that is available immediately. Or anyone else in the Badlands. Now live and available on Spotify and Youtube.

First International episode…from London to Katmandu. In this instalment of The Badlands, I’m talking with Jayant Savant, Jayant is multi awarded Creative leader based in Mumbai India! as well as India he has worked in challenging markets, such as, Bangladesh and Nepal (in actual Katmandu) for some of the world's leading Ad agencies. One of which we bother worked at back in 2007, Jayant in Mumbai and myself in Singapore. BUT…like the UK market, India is also proving challenging for senior agency and marketing folk, as Jayant will tell us. As he navigates the Badlands in India. So in this episode we will discuss the Agency / Marketing job market in India and surrounding countries. The attitudes towards senior creatives, some similarities to the UK and other major markets around the globe. Plus how to network yourself across borders, and how to manifest your next move. We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in the need for a senior Creative Leader in India, or Turkey (as Jayant wants to live and work there) he is available immediately. Or share with anyone else in the Badlands in any country. Now live and available on Spotify and Youtube.

In this instalment of The Badlands, I’m talking with Natalia Brightmore, Natalia describes herself as a Marketing Generalist with 2 decades experience working in all aspects of marketing. But like many others she still finds herself in the Badlands for the first time in her career, and like others job hunting is proving to be challenging at the moment but Natalia has additional requirements due to a health issue that has changed her life in the last year. We discuss her new reality and her health and how it impacts her job search, the need for more transparency when it comes to Remote / Hybrid roles, and how some recruiters are simply assholes, but ultimately what she is looking for moving forwards, all the while trying to offer up some tips and advice for everyone else in the Badlands. We hope you enjoy, please share it with anyone you know that is currently in the need for a senior marketeer that can work fully remote. Or anyone else in the Badlands. Natalia is available immediately, and can also DJ (remotely) for your corporate gig or wedding and long as its Country Music. Now live and available on Spotify and Youtube.