The NDA Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

80% of our listeners are only just managing financially. The creative industry has taken a pummelling over the past few years. From an unstable economy, unpredictable politics, a rise in the cost of living and staffing costs… It’s harder than ever to make money as a creative business.

But how are the ‘big’ studios really doing? From their LinkedIn feeds, all seems well – but we wanted to ask them about the reality of their accounts.

In this episode, Cashflow & Creativity, we speak to studio founders Caterina Bianchini (Studio NARI) & Max Ottignon (Ragged Edge) about how they’re managing in such an unstable climate. Are the budgets shrinking? How do they pay their staff a fair wage? And, perhaps most importantly, are they making a profit?

Don’t miss this unprecedented peek into their P&Ls.

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Stats: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1454650/number-advertising-agencies-worldwide/

https://www.creativementornetwork.org/news/cost-of-living-survey

https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/ones-to-watch-new-views-a-gen-z-outlook-on-the-creative-industry-050625

Scott Galloway podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moIfa0IqlO0

Nils Leonard talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzER-_odM30

Stories: Lucie Kim / Michu

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The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.

Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with Season Three.

Debating and debunking all the biggest secrets in the creative industry. Joined by leaders from all the best design and advertising agencies, we'll be talking about the issues usually kept under NDA – and hearing from our listeners with anonymous stories, to really hear what's going on in our studios.

Tune in every Wednesday.

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The NDA Podcast is created by Lucky Dip. Hosted by Katie Cadwell & produced by Hatty Wytton.

Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'The Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re tackling the epidemic of copying in the creative industry. Whether you’re the copied or the copier, originality is a constant battle for creatives. We’re exploring the emotional and practical impacts of being ripped off. 

Malika Favre, globally renowned French artist, is arguably one of the most copied creatives of the past decade. She shares her journey from anger to legal action, and how it has impacted her business. Lifting the lid on what it looks like (and can cost) to go after copycats.

Tyler Hendy, design lead at New Commercial Arts and creative on the recently controversial Nationwide rebrand, recounts how the industry responded to his work. Sharing learnings from that experience, both in his creative process and how work is presented online.

Ultimately, we try to unpick how to best defend your ideas and your style, and if the elusive search for originality is achievable. 

Credits —

Stories: Rita Juárez / Louise Lockhart @theprintedpeanut 

Mentions: Mot3l / M&S / Daren Thomas Magee @fakefunwow 

Small print: The Red Hand Files - https://www.theredhandfiles.com/originality-hard-to-obtain/

AOI resources - https://theaoi.com/resources/copyright/

AOI ‘Keep your copyright campaign - https://theaoi.com/campaigning/campaigns/consultations-blocks-2/keep-your-copyright/

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re going in-house. Asking whether there’s a stigma attached to moving client-side. And more importantly, if it’s deserved.

Joined by industry experts Emma Sexton, founder of Inside Out, and Kieran Mistry, Head of Design at YouTube, we unpack what in-house creativity really looks like. Covering everything from work/life balance and stakeholder management to creative freedom and career progression. We hear from listeners who have witnessed negative perceptions of in-house from the industry first hand, and from some who have made the change and are reaping the benefits.

Whether you agree with our guests or not, the truth is that in-house creative teams are on the rise. And they are not to be underestimated. If we’re not prepared to park our preconceptions and collaborate, do agencies risk being phased out altogether? 

Credits —

Stories: Emilie Chen

Mentions: Ivan Pols (what.three.words) / Penguin Books / National Theatre

Small print: ANA study on the rise of the in house agency: https://www.ana.net/miccontent/show/id/rr-2023-05-rise-in-house-agency

How the agency / client relationship is evolving: https://www.creativereview.co.uk/agencies-its-time-to-be-better-friends-with-your-in-house-partners/

“The Future of In-House Creative Leadershi” report from Inside Out: https://theinsideout.community/resources/the-future-of-in-house-creative-leadership/

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of the new season, we dive straight into the deep end. We’re talking about how we choose our clients. Join us and our guests Johanna Roca (Accept & Proceed) & Pedro Messias (OMSE) as we unpack ethical dilemmas, personal morals, and the realities of running a business alongside them.

We confront some tough questions: How do we feel about industries like oil, gambling, politics or religion? Do ‘good’ clients even exist? Does B-corp mean anything? How much privilege do you need to turn down projects?

We dissect real-world examples, including the controversy surrounding Havas's partnership with Shell, and hear from listeners who are grappling with morality while making money.

Tune in for a powerful conversation, which should encourage everyone to be critical of who they lend their creativity to.

Credits —

Stories: Mirella Arapian / Jonny, Hey What! Studio / Michael Johnson

Mentions: Hackney Church / First Things First / Rob Mayhew

Small print: Edelman Trust Barameter: https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometer

Brian Eno at Imperial College: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/241832/brian-eno-we-need-creative-industry/

Gambling statistics: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/16/mps-online-gambling-companies-health-at-risk-problem-gamblers

Sponsored by Lucky Dip (luckydip.studio)

Get in touch hello@thendapodcast.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with Season Two.

The NDA Podcast debates contentious topics the creative industry has been keeping under waiver for years. It’s a space for unfiltered conversations about the biggest issues creatives face today. A space to challenge opinions, disagree & learn with no fears of being cancelled. 

Season Two tackles everything from free pitching to the stigma of going in-house, and features some of the biggest and best creatives that the industry has got. And new to this season, we’ll be hearing stories from our listeners. Some anonymously, to make sure we really get under the skin of every topic.

Tune in every Wednesday to break some NDAs.

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Hosted by Katie Cadwell. Produced by Hatty Wytton. Sponsored by Lucky Dip.

Edited by James from Be Heard. Original music 'Theme from NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're looking back on season one of NDA. Sharing all the opinions and stories from our listeners on each episode, and chatting about what season two has in store.

The DICE Charter – www.getdice.co.uk

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Hosted & created by Katie Cadwell

Edited by James from Be Heard

Original music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The topic that everyone has an opinion on — creative awards. One of the most contentious conversations in the industry, you either love them or hate them. Which is exactly where our guests stand this week. We’re asking those who’ve won them, lost them, judged them and scorned them some of the questions we all want answered.

How can you judge something so subjective? Are the projects real? Are judges biased towards the studios & clients? Is it just a money-making exercise? How does it impact our teams? Do our clients care?

Rob Duncan, Creative Director at Mucho, believes they enable him to hire the best talent in the world and help the studio cast a critical eye over the work they’re making. But that remote judging has lowered the standards of the shortlists.

Mitch Paone, Partner & Creative Director at DIA, has boycotted them entirely. Believing they’re a business first & foremost. And having been in the judging room, he thinks bias runs too deep to ever be truly objective when choosing the winners.

Katherina Tudball, Creative Director at Superunion, sees the good in them. A chance to celebrate good ideas and your team's hard work. Having been involved for years, she shares the criteria for jury selection and what it’s like narrowing down a year of industry hard work.

Alice Ishiguro Tosey, Independent Creative, sits on the fence, acknowledging that getting them early in your career opens doors, but that the mental health repercussions of rejection have a long-lasting impact.

And ultimately, are the people who hate them, just bitter because they don’t win them?

* It's not won any awards.

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Hosted & created by Katie Cadwell

Edited by James from Be Heard

Original music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every agency website says “We’re an inclusive studio” but are they? Beyond the buzzwords, how does that play out for those working there? What are they doing day-to-day to action the claim? Because it’s not a simple one. Especially when what’s inclusive to one person, isn’t to another. 

So is it even possible to build a studio that doesn’t exclude anyone in it? 

This week, we’re trying to define inclusivity. Asking what it means to each guest, how it affects client relationships, the red tape and policies need and how to challenge exclusion when you see it.

Wale Osunla, Designer at Studio Moross, shares what it’s like to work somewhere that puts so much emphasis on inclusivity, how it works in practice and compares it to other studios he’s worked in.

Aries Moross, Creative Director at Studio Moross, reflects on over a decade of building a studio that strives to be inclusive. The lessons, the red flags and the advice they have for other leaders wanting to make changes.

Ebony Montague, Director & Founder at HR Said That, helps us understand the practicalities of inclusion, and how HR can empower employees. She also shares her experience witnessing exclusion of all forms.

Yee Poon, Illustrator & Designer at Hey What Studio, explains what she’s looking for in a workplace, and how she tackles raising issues without upsetting the status quo.

A conversation that asks more questions than it answers, but at least, starts to uncover the issues we so often tip-toe around.

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ACAS helpline https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

CIPD Knowledge hub https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge

Definition of the psychological contract https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/relations/employees/psychological-factsheet#gref

The Other Box https://www.theotherbox.org/

Resources for D&I in theatre https://uktheatre.org/theatre-industry/guidance-reports-and-resources/diversity-initiatives-for-uk-theatres/

BBC guidance on Neurodiversity in buildings https://bbc.github.io/uxd-cognitive/

Job Ad Gender decoder http://gender-decoder.katmatfield.com/

Supporting mental health at work: guide for people managers (CIPD & MIND) https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/culture/well-being/mental-health-support-report

HR Rewired: Anti-racism & racial equity advisory firm for the workplace https://hr-rewired.com/ 

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Hosted & created by Katie Cadwell

Edited by James from Be Heard

Original music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On average, 1 in 7 people are neurodiverse. In the creative industry, that number jumps to 1 in 5. If we all take a look around our studios, there could be a lot more divergent thinking than we realise.

In this week’s episode, we try to unpick what it’s like to be an ND creative and what ND actually is. We discuss all the obstacles neurodiverse people face in our industry. Having to fit into different ways of working, challenging studio environments, attention spans and how those things deteriorate mental health. And of course, the benefits. How masking helps clients, divergent thinking being brilliant for creativity, the freedom in diagnosis and how adjustments for ND creatives would serve us all. 

Lucy Hobbs, Founder of The Future is ND, reflects on how the industry has changed in the fifteen years since her diagnosis and how she helps studios create more inclusive environments.

Ali Slater, Designer Director at Chase Design Group, shares her experiences being in studio environments and the negative impact working from home has on productivity.

Ana Jaks, Illustrator & Artist, discusses how working freelance suits her ways of working and the journey to finding an agent who helps facilitate space that enables her best ideas.

Daniel Edwards, Founder of Bloody Lovely Branding Co. talks about his dream of setting up the first neurodiverse agency and the strength in divergent thinking for clients and work alike.

An insightful conversation that should help us all become more educated about the diversity of thinking in our industry, and question the historic working practices that may not suit us all.

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The Future is ND https://thefutureisnd.com/

LS:N Global ‘Divergent Design’

Creative Equals Quality Standard

Local Government Association ‘Neurodiversity’

BIMA 'Tech Inclusion & Diversity Report 2019'

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Hosted & created by Katie Cadwell

Edited by James from Be Heard

Original music 'Theme From NDA' by Jamie Ellul & Toby McLaren

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.