Engineering a culture of creativity.

Six years ago, I could count on one hand the number of people who supported my move from 苹果 to Verizon . At the time I was running Apple’s incredible global Design group with Jamie Roberts and creating some of the best work of my career. Verizon was an iconic telco, but a far cry from the design pedigree that I was surrounded by at Apple.

Naturally, people questioned the move. A lot just gave me a crazy look.

But it was a worthy ambition that doesn’t come along often. It was the rare opportunity to build a creative capability at scale and transform a brand across the entire ecosystem.

It became the chance to attract hundreds of creative talent from varied industries and cultures to build the organization’s first in-house creative group from the ground up.?

The chance to build a successful creative marketing organization of over 300+ people, infusing the brand with soul, against the backdrop of a highly operational and engineering-led company.?

The chance to overcome industry challenges and preconceptions about the relationship between brand and agency, and prove how a truly hybrid model can work.

The chance to demonstrate that astute design, storytelling and innovation can shift the way the brand shows up in people’s lives. To ultimately create work with creative substance that is as good, or better, as other beloved brand titans. And to be rewarded for that ambition by becoming one of the most awarded in-house teams in the world.

When I look back at all the amazing achievements from the creative marketing teams and our partners, it did take a lot of crazy.?

But most importantly, it took faith and commitment from a whole lot of people that creativity matters and is a gift to any company willing to embrace its full potential.?

And while I had the privilege to act as Verizon’s first Chief Creative Officer, creativity is not a solo pursuit.

To make an impact in a company of over 130,000 people, you need an army of supporters to champion the work, to ensure the details are cared for, even when you think no one is paying close attention.

As I complete my five-year plan at Verizon, I’d like to thank the extended teams in its marketing organization for providing the space and support for the brand ambition to come to life. A heartfelt thanks to Diego Scotti and Hans Vestberg for the incredible opportunity to build something special, for faith in the potential of people.

I look forward to watching my leadership team continue to do great things: Mike Wente , Sangeet Pillai , Diana Grillo , Marc Sobier , Orli LeWinter , Roberto Santellana , Ricardo Aspiazu , Robert Beck , Stephanie Dauble , James Hogan , Andrea Huemmer , Simon Orchover . And to a world-class operations team who make everything happen: Kate Lowry , Brooke Savona , Jennifer Novak , Danielle Moore .

I want to thank all the agencies, the leaders and the teams that work behind the scenes. They’ve shaped and defined who we are today through some ground-breaking moments. They’ve been in the trenches during our best, and toughest times. Thank you for pushing us all to be better: Joaquin Molla , Tiffany Rolfe (she/her) , Rob Reilly , Arthur Sadoun, Sean Bryan , Philippe Krakowsky , Sean Lyons , Luis Montero , Mark Dowley , Tom Murphy , James Robinson , Ronald Ng , Michael Bierut , Daniel Weil , Gina Smith , Chris Weil , David Webster , Conn Fishburn , Matthew Curry , Dan Donovan , Xavier / Por Hsian Teo / 张博贤 , dominic whittles , Kate MacNevin , Susan Cole , Benjamin Bittman , Julie Liss , Dave Penski , Angela Steele .

Publicis Groupe , McCann Worldgroup , R/GA , Momentum Worldwide , MRM , Madwell , Pentagram , CIVIC , the community , Art & Science .

And a thank you to all the production partners and industry advocates who have partnered and supported the brand over the years: Kevin Swanepoel , The One Club for Creativity , Claire Graves , The Webby Awards , Pamala Buzick Kim , FREE THE WORK , Christine Guilfoyle , Mark Tilghman , Patty Kerr , Gail Tifford , Shelley Zalis , SEEHER , Nicole Purcell , The Clios , Antonio Lucio , Lisa Sherman , Ad Council Lisa Berlin , Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity , Barbara Levy , LIA - London International Awards , Bob Liodice , Marc S. Pritchard , Association of National Advertisers .

I’m sure 2023 will be no easier, or simpler, than 2022. My hope is that even in the more challenging moments, everyone continues to be kind in their intentions. I’ve always believed that if we lose empathy and kindness toward one another and across our team cultures, the work we create will be hollow too.

Work is just one facet of our complicated lives. Everyone has something going on in the background that we can’t always see. So, let’s continue to show up for one another.?

Culture is the legacy of any great company. And Verizon’s Creative Marketing Group was built on relationships.?

I’ve always been in awe of the formidable team culture to move things forward. In the years ahead, when all the noise subsides, a few pieces of work will stand tall, but the people and relationships created will be what carries us all forward.

It’s been a privilege and I look forward to our next journey together soon.

Andrew