In this episode, we explore the unconventional path of Jeremy Jones, who transformed his passion for punk rock, skateboarding, and counter-culture creativity into a thriving advertising and marketing career. Jeremy shares how making band flyers and touring with musicians became his informal MBA in marketing, teaching him branding, promotion, and creative problem-solving long before he understood what advertising actually was.
Discover how Jeremy's creative partnership—formed through both bandmate chemistry and advertising collaboration—propelled him through agency ranks, culminating in representing Team USA at Cannes Young Lions. His journey spans radio promotion, boutique agencies, and eventually a global role at J. Walter Thompson before making the pivotal leap to building MailChimp's acclaimed in-house creative team, Wink.
Jeremy reveals the philosophy behind MailChimp's distinctive "expert absurdist" brand voice and shares insights from memorable campaigns like "Email Is Dead" and "The Customer." He emphasizes the importance of bringing organization and belief to creative teams, understanding client businesses deeply, and marketing to marketers in ways that inspire rather than bore.
The conversation offers invaluable guidance for creatives at every stage: students should lead with passion over perfection, early-career professionals must raise their hands for opportunities, and new leaders need to stay connected to the work while investing in relationships outside their industry. Jeremy's advice on "fishing in other rivers" and maintaining hobbies for creative rejuvenation provides a refreshing perspective on sustainable creative leadership.
Whether you're an aspiring creative, agency professional, or in-house marketing leader, this episode delivers authentic wisdom from someone who built his career on curiosity, relentless work ethic, and never forgetting the scrappy, DIY spirit that started it all.
