Here's how you can develop the essential skills for a career in Creative Strategy.

Creative Strategy has eight phases. 1. Research + Insight Generation 2. Idea Generation + Concepting 3. Concept Selection (+for agencies, concept pitching) 4. Briefing 5. Asset Generation: Creative Directing Shoots + Generative AI Use + UGC / Talent Management 6. Designer Management + Revisions (+ for agencies only, client-approval management) 7. Media Buyer Management 8. Performance interpretation Then you repeat. Each phase has sub-skills. Break them down into little skill trees for yourself, then master each sub-skill by getting in as many reps as it takes to be the best in the world. For example, step one is research + insight generation. Create a systematic research + insight loop, then go through the steps 10,000 times.

I've participated in numerous innovation sessions globally, and I've discovered that fostering curiosity is key. Here’s how: - Look at more stuff: Engage with your surroundings and wherever you are, immerse yourself by reading, browsing, visiting, and conversing. Notice the details. - Embrace Simple Wonders: The best ideas often stem from simple observations. Your level of amazement will correlate with your curiosity. - Listen More, Talk Less: remember that you have two ears and one mouth, use them in proportion. Listening more than speaking enhances learning and understanding. Curiosity doesn't kill the cat; it propels innovation. Embrace it to unlock new possibilities.

The most important thing is knowing the difference between a strategy and a tactic. I will optimistically give it 50/50, predicated on the culture of what the business has devolved into and the na?veté of most of these questions, that you do not.

Read. Read. Read. And different stuff to everyone else. Yeah expose yourself to Sharp, Binet & Field but don't be defined or constrained by it. Hunt for different, diverse reference points. Be inspired by stuff other strats aren't aware of. These are things that will set you apart... and make you indispensable.

By mastering skills like Strategic Thinking, Data Analysis, Communication and Industry Awareness, its able to excel in the field of Creative Strategy and contribute effectively to the success of advertising campaigns and brand initiatives.

Connect your Insight with Execution: Be a Social Explorer Give yourself real tasks to understand your audience’s challenges. For example, shop with a very tight budget for a family of four to grasp their daily decisions and difficulties. Empathy through experience is key, you gain invaluable insights into their needs and pain points, enabling more resonant insights for the initial creative rumbles. Observe, and engage with diverse backgrounds and different data points. The more you explore why the world is like it is, the richer your insights, leading to more effective marketing execution. Because, as it turns out, 'human connection' is still a thing.

A frase "stay hungry, stay foolish" dita por Steve Jobs n?o apenas estimula a criatividade, mas também se conecta profundamente à perspicácia analítica, uma habilidade crucial para a estratégia criativa. Permanecer "faminto" por conhecimento e experiências novas alimenta uma mente analítica que está sempre buscando dados, tendências e insights para informar decis?es estratégicas. Esse desejo incessante de aprender e compreender o ambiente ao redor permite que os líderes e profissionais criativos antecipem mudan?as de mercado, identifiquem oportunidades latentes e adaptem suas abordagens de forma eficaz.

There are three key steps, and the second and third are often ignored. First is data gathering - including surveys, interviews, industry analysis, sales figures, trend articles etc. This is scalable to any size org. Second is vetting - what does the data say, and what does the collection method mean for the data? Were people point blank asked if they liked something? Third is synthesis - what is the bigger story all of this data can tell? You can’t share pages of data, you need to land on a single clear and actionable “so what?” for your story - and hopefully it’s both undeniably true but feels new.

Conseguir fazer as perguntas certas diferencia demais estrategistas. Isso vem após muito ouvir e ter a aten??o no lugar certo. Um brainstorm assertivo é um brainstorm de sucesso e isso, definitivamente, diferencia Profissionais de profissionais.

To develop essential skills for a career in Creative Strategy, start by honing your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for understanding market trends and consumer behavior. Enhance your creativity through regular brainstorming and staying updated with industry innovations. Strong communication skills are vital, so practice presenting ideas clearly and persuasively. Gain proficiency in digital tools and data analysis to interpret campaign performance. Additionally, build a solid foundation in marketing principles, project management, and collaborative teamwork by pursuing relevant coursework, internships, and networking with industry professionals.

Developing essential skills for a career in Creative Strategy can be effectively illustrated through the case study of Apple's "Think Different" campaign. In the late 1990s, Apple was struggling, and Steve Jobs returned to reinvigorate the brand. The "Think Different" campaign, created by TBWA\Chiat\Day, showcased Apple's commitment to creativity and innovation. This campaign highlighted the importance of storytelling, consumer insight, and brand positioning—key skills in Creative Strategy. By celebrating iconic figures who changed the world, the campaign not only revived Apple's image but also set a new standard for creative advertising. Aspiring creative strategists can learn from this by honing their ability to craft consumer behavior

Mastering storytelling is a great skill for Creative Strategy! Here's why: It helps you connect with audiences on an emotional level. By crafting compelling narratives that resonate with people's needs and desires, you can create effective marketing messages and campaigns. Think about it: stories transport us, make information memorable, and inspire action. Hone your storytelling skills by reading widely, practicing different writing styles, and actively seeking out diverse perspectives. The better you understand the power of narrative, the stronger your creative strategy muscles will become.

Storytelling is the bread and butter of today's marketing world. This is leveraging narrative techniques to communicate the goals of a strategy in a compelling and engaging way. With the average human's attention span reducing by the day, we need to create an effective way to grab attention. Most master strategist call this a "hook" and you can get this in the following steps; - Craft a compelling story - Highlight 'why' - Keep it simple and clear - Use media and visuals - Use niche pain points - Invite your audience to participate Practice and repeat! Refine the story by measuring impact, what can you do better? You can effectively communicate your vision, inspire action, and drive to align with brand values.

Study film. Read “Save the Cat” by @BlakeSnyder Study long-form video content. Read “Building a Storybrand” by @DonaldMiller Understand the 7 basic plots and why they work. Then, and only then, start writing something that aligns with brand values and speaks to the target audience. The most memorable campaigns invite the audience into a different world. A world they want to spend time in because it makes them feel something they didn’t realize they needed to feel. Like a good film.

On parle de ??story telling??. On s’adresse à un public et on doit donc tenir compte de son besoin qui justifie la proposition , la valeur de la solution que nous présentons . Pour ma part, je me mets toujours à la place de mon interlocuteur, mon audience, avec des questions que je me serai posées si les r?les sont inversés. ????quelle est la situation émotionnelle traversée à l’origine du problème et qui trouve sa réponse dans la solution..:-) Il est extrêmement important de pouvoir se connecter à son audience et rien de tel que de libérer un peu de soi, en étant toujours authentique pour le toucher.. l’intéresser. La narration est donc un élément clé. Elle porte : - des valeurs.. - notre conviction.. Elle propose& offre des solutions

Design thinking is all about solving problems in a creative way by really understanding what people need, coming up with lots of different ideas, and then quickly trying them out to see what works best. It's like putting yourself in someone else's shoes and using your imagination to come up with new solutions.

Le point de départ du design thinking est ????: il exige de l’empathie:écoute , compréhension des besoins/ expériences . C’est aussi incontournable pour saisir les motivations et défis et, cela aide à définir : ????le problème (on reformule du point de vue utilisateur) L’idéation encourage les possibilités qui pourraient faire l’objet de prototypes en vue tests Elle est surtout un formidable moyen de mobiliser , inviter les collaborateurs à participer tout au long du processus pour lequel on ne doit pas se brider. L’Innovation y trouve alors naturellement sa place. Ce que je trouve formidable est que le design thinking encourage la participation de tous en vue d’une amélioration continue & optimale .

Team work and collaboration is an essential skill in creative strategy. This allows for collective effort and synergy among individuals in a team to get involved in developing and executing creative strategies. Everyone joins in the ideation process to solve problems with person-centered or design-centered solution approaches. One good thing about collaboration is that you learn from others, also the burden of creative ideas is shared by the team. There is shared ownership in achieving successful outcomes in the creative process. Some key aspects of the collaborative spirit in creative strategy: 1. Open communication with team members 2. Share team vision and goals 3. Respect for diversity and inclusion 4. Team trust

Strategy is a team game. Work with, not against, differing opinions. Ideas always better when they're shared. It's inevitable. Never underestimate the power of 'and'.

If you’ve moved to being a strategic advisor to your client, you shouldn’t be scared of being replaced. Anyone you bring to the team should be better than you and multiply the efforts that everyone else puts in. This cements the trust your client has in you and ensures that the work that’s eventually produced is world class, all the time.

"Grandes coisas nos negócios nunca s?o feitas por uma única pessoa; s?o feitas por uma equipe de pessoas." Jobs via o valor de diferentes perspectivas e habilidades se unindo para resolver problemas complexos e criar algo novo. Ele defendia a importancia de uma comunica??o clara e honesta dentro da equipe, incentivando debates e discuss?es produtivas para alcan?ar as melhores solu??es.

Entender o profissional que você é te ajuda a visualizar no outro o que você "n?o é bom". N?o ser bom em algo n?o é demérito, n?o aceitar isso, sim. Trabalhar em equipe ajuda muito nisso.

The importance of continuous learning for creative innovation cannot be overstated. It's not only about keeping up with the constantly changing technologies and trends, but also about better understanding the world in which our clients and customers live. This understanding is vital to building effective creative strategies that can work as intended.

With the world evolving so quickly, it is important to appreciate that your "rule book" needs constant updating too. Of course there are workshops, subscriptions, webinars that one can attend, but that isn't for everyone. It also means that you are only ever following trends rather than starting them. Mixing up teams based on tenure or any other demographic, whether it be on a specific project or even a social setting, cultivates a level of empathy and understanding that inspires creativity and drives motivation to learn. Nothing like realising something you thought you knew is no longer relevant to kick start a passion for learning!

A filosofia "stay foolish" de Steve Jobs está intrinsecamente ligada ao conceito de aprendizado contínuo, promovendo uma mentalidade de abertura e curiosidade que é essencial para o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional. Permanecer "tolo" implica uma disposi??o constante para explorar o desconhecido, aceitar que n?o sabemos tudo e estar aberto a novas ideias e perspectivas. Essa abordagem encoraja a aprendizagem constante, pois reconhece que o conhecimento é um processo interminável e que sempre há algo novo a ser descoberto ou entendido de forma diferente.

Resist stagnation in your creative strategy career by embracing continuous learning. Sign up for a masterclass on AI for strategists. Pursue projects at work with clients in different industries. Maybe test out freelancing. Doesn’t matter what you try. The act of continuous learning will keep your mind in motion and your skills sharp.

Embrace your differences and turn it into your power, the power of being unique. You don't have to be like anyone else to be accepted or successful, your differences are what makes you stand out and bring value to any environment you are in.

Developing essential skills for a career in Creative Strategy involves a blend of creativity, analytical thinking, and effective communication. One way to cultivate these skills is by actively engaging with real-world examples and case studies. For instance, examining how brands like Nike execute their marketing campaigns can offer insights into strategic thinking, consumer behavior analysis, and innovative storytelling techniques. Additionally, seeking mentorship or networking with professionals in the field can provide valuable guidance and practical knowledge to enhance your skill set in Creative Strategy.

In your career, with your briefs and in everything else you do, no plan is set in stone. Always be ready to drop the ego and tweak your tactics to achieve the bigger picture. Life has a funny way of sorting itself out. So, don’t fight the waves and flow with it instead. Most times, we end up on shores filled with a lot of lessons!

In my experience it is all in the detail. And how much and which perspective of the detail you want to look at. Surprised that the main points covering this article does not even touch upon the most important aspect of creative thinking. This must be a bot post on creativity to unleash bot type technical responses as well. Detail and the ability to view things from different perspectives is like an opening of your third eye. Unless naturally born that way. You can train yourself to do so. There are many real books and people who have been there are and done that. Get mentored. Not read regurgitated or technical childish posts in LinkedIn. You can thank me later.

Be the most interesting person in the room, not the smartest. Bring things to the table no-one else does. Read what others don't. Have an opinion. Be provocative. Be different. Add value the client can't get in their own building.