MediaCat Monthly, Nov 22 | Side Quests

Welcome to November 2022 edition of MediaCat Magazine Monthly. This month's theme was Side Quests: how much of life goes according to plan, and should it? For November we explored planning... do we always need a plan? What gems can be found in life’s side quests?

Our writers went to town this month: we had articles on the differences between planning and strategy, queer YA fiction and finding one's true self, putting DEI at the heart of business, hindsight bias, choosing adventure, freedom and flipping the bird to culture, goals versus stress, and, er, geese. There's podcasts on paths into the industry, oppression and rebellion, and life and work going according to plan. Also, interviews on adding purpose to content, fighting violence against women, and breaking down Japanese stereotypes.

Phew. Yet another monster issue. We hope you've been enjoying the magazine this year.

Mike Piggott, Editor

After curating an excellent playlist earlier this year, our friends at Truant London return with another superb selection: Side Quests playlist?— listen whilst you read the articles.

The difference between planning and strategy

The long road or the short street? Strategic advisor Annalisa Roy on how not to get nudged off track, in work and life

Joyful narratives: celebrating the young trans person I never got to be

Culture insight expert Becks Collins writes about why reading queer YA fiction in their 30s has helped them feel supported

One does not simply 'do DEI' as a side quest

Head of DE&I Practice at Purpose Union, Jinan Younis, urges companies to continually engage with DEI as they plan for 2023

'I knew it all along' Really? How to avoid hindsight bias

People have a remarkable way of reinventing expectations and framing outcomes, says author Richard Shotton

Do we still need to plan stuff?

Lucky Generals' Founder Andy Nairn looks to record producer Quincy Jones to ask if planning is still worth it

DEI must be the beating heart, never a side quest

Across The Pond's Anna Brent writes about Cop27 and how covid impacted diversity and inclusion

Side quests give you superpowers

By embracing side quests you venture outside your bubble, says Grey London's Jesper Norgaard

The detour becomes the path

'There's a sense of freedom to indulging in a side quest, flipping the bird to the culture of productivity', writes author Faris Yakob

Choose your own adventure: the paths we leave behind

Strategist Natasha Randhawa with a story about how returning to choose a new path is part of life's adventure

Goals drive success, plans drive stress

Orange Panther Collective's Lorna says the most powerful thing you can do is set a goal and encourage others to get there

We need strategy that breaks away from static plans

In making plans we need to still leave room for adventure, lest we stifle creativity, writes strategist Fola Enifeni

True creative inspiration needs a little planning

By way of a tale about two geese, author Glenn Fisher suggests putting some light restrictions in place for greater freedom

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PODCASTS

Rebel With A Cause?— with award-winning strategist Josh Akapo

RANKIN's Opal Turner chats to Josh about age and wisdom, oppression, and culture as a tool for rebellion listen >

Self-expression and side quests — with AKQA's Jade Tomlin

Deviating from the brief (or not)... discussing life and work going according to plan, with AKQA's Group Creative Director listen >

Rebel With A Cause — with UNKNOWN's Ollie Scott

Opal talks to UNKNOWN's founder about non-linear paths into the industry, and how to get the most out of side quests listen >

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INTERVIEWS

HearstX’s Mark McCafferty on Roblox, and adding purpose to content

HearstX's ECD on the resurgence of the documentary, purpose-driven content, and rewarding your audience read >

Unite For Her’s Annalisa Roy on fighting violence against women

Unite For Her's Founder on why she started the initiative and how the marketing industry can help read >

Asako Tomotani on breaking down Japanese stereotypes around exoticism

Berlin-based Asako, monopo's Creative Producer, on Japan's Gen Z (the Satori generation) and how culture is changing read >