Join Chris as he sits down with James, Executive Creative Director at Arnold, to explore the art of building unforgettable brands. Inspired at 14 by a single Nike ad, James went on to shape work at legendary agencies like DDB, Fallon, and Goodby Silverstein.

In this episode, he shares the philosophy behind Arnold’s bold “brilliantly boring” campaign for PNC Bank, why the riskiest move a brand can make is being forgettable, and the lessons he’s learned from leading creative teams and iconic campaigns like Progressive’s Dr. Rick.

Whether you’re a marketer, creative, or simply curious about the ideas shaping culture, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

Highlights:

(1:38) James' Creative Journey 

(3:45) The Power of a Commercial 

(6:17) Finding Truth in Creativity 

(7:50) The Role of Jealousy in Inspiration

(12:05) Building a Competitive Creative Team

(16:34) Progressive's Cultural Impact 

(26:19) Brilliantly Boring: PNC's Brand Transformation 

(43:45) AI as a Creative Tool