Strands of Genius: Can Companies Gain From Moving to a 4-day Work Week, Is AI Taking Over Our Jobs, Is there value in attending Cannes Lions
Guest curated by Phillip Bates, Freelance Senior Art Director
Each year we aim to highlight 50 creative thinkers that have inspired us by giving them the opportunity to guest curate this newsletter, Strands of Genius. This edition is guest curated by Phillip Bates, Freelance Senior Art Director.
:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, PHILLIP BATES ::
LOCATION: London
Rosie and Faris sponsored our Research Projects at University of the Arts London/London College of Communication MA in Advertising program. Faris submitted relevant topics that advertising agencies are dealing with currently or will be in the future and we had to choose one of those topics to do our project on. I chose Generative AI and my project was chosen as the co-winner, along with a fantastic project from Antonia Nuttall, which resulted in me guest curating this week's newsletter.
I have spent many years in entertainment advertising, creating art for film and tv/streaming releases, so going back to get my MA at this point in my career was interesting. I learned a lot and refreshed my knowledge of advertising and marketing. I'm enjoying my time in London and embracing the differences of living here versus Los Angeles and New York City, the cities where I used to live. London is a great advertising city and I'm hoping I can find a good fit career-wise here.
Editor’s Note (Genius Steals): Several years ago we met Paul Caplan, who heads up the MA Advertising program at LCC. It’s always a joy to get to partner with him and get to see his student’s projects. As soon as we saw Phil’s project, we knew we had to have him as a guest curator! Thank you for being this week’s guest curator! We can’t wait to see what is in store for you next. Oh and The Midnight Library?! An excellent book choice, indeed :)
:: THE LINKS ::
CAN COMPANIES GAIN FROM MOVING TO A 4-DAY WORK WEEK
Let’s face it, the traditional work model has changed since 2020 and, some would say, for the better. Working from home has benefits, but the 4-day work week is another avenue worth exploring. With many studies being conducted, companies found that letting people work 32-hour weeks can still get you 40 hours worth of production, and often more. I’m all for this one, whether it’s working from home, the shorter week/less hours, or even the same hours in fewer days. Work/Life balance is so important and, dare I say, necessary. (The Conversation)
IS AI TAKING OVER OUR JOBS
AI is a heated topic these days, but if people would stop and take a closer look, they would find that AI has been assisting workers for quite some time. The new art, writing, music and video additions to the AI arsenal are just tools to help make creatives’ lives easier and more productive. I’m using AI more often in my work, and that’s not only great for me but great for the companies I do work for. (Fast Company)
IS THERE VALUE IN ATTENDING CANNES LIONS
Cannes Lions discussed by Campaign, plus three different creatives talking about the shortlist and the trend of brands resurrecting slogans. We hear from Adam & Eve/DDB, TBWA\London and Grey London. It’s an interesting conversation about creativity and the value of Cannes. I’ve always loved seeking out great work, and Cannes is a great place to look. (Campaign)
Looking for more from Phillip Bates? Coming Friday, look for an interview from him in your inbox!
:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::
:: Game :: Gotta go with WORDLE
:: City :: London (NYC is a close 2nd)
:: Book :: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
:: Podcast :: LITERALLY with Rob Lowe
:: Album :: This was the most important question asked, and the hardest. I have so many, but for here, I'll put Genesis, A Trick Of The Tail
:: QUOTE OF THE DAY ::
"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation." -Herman Melville
Thank you for taking the time to read/skim this! It’s much appreciated.
If you would like to see some of my work please check out my website https://www.philbates.com/ and instagram at Philip Bates Design & Painterly Art Studio !
Have a great summer!
Phillip
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It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.
Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.
Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)