As part of a series of conversations with professionals and scholars in the field of mental health and well-being in media industries and professions, in this episode I sit down with Sue Todd, CEO of the National Advertising Benefit Society (in the UK).

Sue has worked 25+ years on the commercial/marketing side of media, including executive positions at the social enterprise The Big Issue, Magnetic Media, Wonder Worldwide and Exterion Media. Sue is chair of the 'All In' mental health committee, and an active member of both the #timeTo steering committee and Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership (WACL).

In our interview, we discuss the observation, that the support and resilience programs and services NABS provides increase in demand year-on-year, indicating a volatile industry where, as Sue states, "we're being asked to be different" all the time.

Other issues touched upon in the conversation include the role of the pandemic (as shaking up everything), the challenge of balancing exciting innovation with careful implementation, and how the erstwhile bravado about overwork fades with growing health and well-being awareness.

These interviews in part support the publication of my book (titled: Well-Being and Creative Careers: What Makes You Happy Can Also Make You Sick, out September 2025 with Intellect) on health, well-being and happiness in media work, and to showcase and celebrate the work so many people around the world are doing to advocate and promote these issues in media workplaces.More info on the book:https://www.intellectbooks.com/well-being-and-creative-careersFor the US publication:https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/W/bo257335467.htmlPlease follow, leave a comment, and check more updates on my Substack (markdeuze.substack.com).