An occasional column. Simon Hadfield In Conversation.
This time it is Terry Savage, ex-Chairman of Cannes Lions, current Chairman of London International Awards, The Marketing Academy & Founder of Savages Unlimited.
It’s been circa 5 years since handing over the reins to Cannes, what have you been up to?
I became Global Chair of The Marketing Academy, an incredible leadership development program, that operates in UK, USA, and Australia. This is a not-for-profit company, and the programs are totally funded by sponsors who recognise the need for development of leadership in our industry. I have never worked for a more passionate company, Sherilyn Shackell the founder and CEO has created an awesome vehicle, and the passion from the scholars who attend, the mentors, the coaches and the Alumni is an inspiration for all.
I founded my own consultancy Savages Unlimited and have and do work with clients in Japan, Egypt, Singapore, USA, UK, Indonesia, I even have a client in Australia…
And finally, I am Chairperson of London International Awards, based in New York, held in Las Vegas. It uses the tag line “created for creatives “ and is focused also on giving back. Each year they bring to Las Vegas from around the world over 100 Young creative people and immerse them in a 3-day development and training program, they contribute to the airfare, pay the accommodation, and give them the LIAsions program at no cost.
Business is business, but I am loving working with companies that have the vision, desire, and passion to develop others and give back to developing the future.
Do you have any observations on the advertising industry?
For as long as I can remember, as an industry we tend to be hyper critical of what we do. I think we should stand proud and tall, and far too often we fall into the trap of being self-deprecating. My passion has been around creatives and creativity, and the one thing I believe the industry could do better for the creative community is to better prepare them for the future and enhance their skill base and knowledge. Leadership training, management skill enhancement, in my view is not something high on the agenda for the emerging creative community. The end result is both the individual, and the company misses out. This is why awards are so important, right now they are the only real measure of excellence for the creative community.
Fact is, things are more competitive now than ever, agencies, consultancies, In house agencies, platforms and training and development will give an edge to those that use it and give it .
Any work you’ve seen recently that you admire?
What I think I admire, is that great creativity amplifies and drives harder than work that does not reach those peaks. Everyone says creativity is the most important thing in effectiveness, but I sometimes think that the words are used, but not always followed through with. One thing I know from brief, to ideation, to approval and execution, you see painstaking effort to try and get the best work up and happening. That is what I admire the most, the passion, the energy, the effort to do the best, quite often in an atmosphere of rejection along the way. That is why leadership is so important, the skill to make people dig deeper, drive harder, think more, try again and to do so in a way that continues to motivate teams is so critical.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s OK to make mistakes, just learn from them. Above that focus on what outcome, you desire from any given task before you start, and self-develop, do things out of the norm that will enhance your skill base and knowledge. Maybe they have to be driven by the individual, but if you want to make a difference, it may have to be you that drives that development.
Outside of business, what keeps you out of trouble?
After many years of corporate life, I have balance. I spend almost all my time with my wife Cheryl, have beautiful kids and grandkids, both here in Australia and overseas, and a house in Bowral which we all use to enjoy, reflect and relax. I have learnt that relaxation, is not a dirty word, it is meaningful and fulfilling. Balance in life is hard to achieve, but like anything meaningful you have to discipline yourself to achieve it.
What have you learnt in the last 5 years?
I think the biggest thing is that when you work for organisations for long periods of time, you become very set in your thinking. I have been very surprised at the benefits of doing things differently, and have been very open to adopt new thinking, be it in leadership style or judging methodology. Creativity is about doing things differently than they have been done before, and quite often we kill creativity by not giving ideas or new solutions a chance to breathe. I have learnt better to suspend judgement and let creative thinking takes its full course.
What are you driving, what are you listening to and what are you watching?
I drive a Mercedes, but to me a car is just a mode of transport, I tend to read not listen, right now reading Jane Harper’s latest book Excile, and I binge all the great shows and films you would expect, love 1923 and all the Yellowstone properties, adored Happy Valley, but my favourite was Mystery Road Origin. Trouble is Cheryl and I start watching about 10pm at night and have far too may late nights!
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