Strands of Genius: Creating Experiences People Remember, "I'll catch you ladder!", How is today?

Guest curated by James Whatley

Sep 29, 2022

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, JAMES WHATLEY::

LOCATION: Borehamwood, UK

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Chief Strategy Officer @ Diva Agency

Hello. I don't think I've actually ever met Rosie OR Faris (can we fix this, please, R&F?) so this whole thing has a long term listener, first time caller kinda vibe, y'know? So big thanks to them, like, generally. And of course, thanks to you. Ish. I mean, you didn't ask for this. But you're still here... so? I don't know. Consider me a casual interloper. Perhaps in a smoking jacket. Sliding down the side of your sofa and spouting utter nonsense because it's past 11pm and frankly it's about time we went in on the DMCs. I'm just happy to be here.

Editor’s Note (Faris): We have indeed not had the pleasure of meeting James IRL (yes! let’s do it!) but we’ve been interacting online as part of a ‘loose group of plannery type people interested in social objects and emerging technologies’ and that for many, many years. As such, he’s moved in and out of digital and traditional agencies at the highest levels but we are most excited for his new role, combining his skills with one of his passions at Diva, a ‘gaming native integrated agency’. He also has an excellent newsletter which he is too humble to have mentioned, so we will: Five Things On A Friday. Thanks so much James!

:: THE LINKS ::

CREATING EXPERIENCES PEOPLE REMEMBER

My old CSO and one of my favourite humans, Matt Holt, wrote this at the start of 2021. We were talking about connected experiences when we worked together at Digitas UK and I often go back to it as a good nudge/reminder on just thinking about a customer experience a bit differently. Try it. (Econsultancy)

I’LL CATCH YOU LADDER

In 1994, arguably one of the worst/best video game movie adaptations ever made was unleashed upon an unexpected world. Street Fighter: The Movie is so bad - SO bad - it's a wonder any more games were ever made (thank heavens they were). If you're feeling down in your job, just read this. Trust me, things can get worse. Adventures of Baron Munchausen worse. That one's for you, Brian. (Polygon)

HOW IS TODAY?

I will never stop telling everyone to please listen to this podcast. It's been set up by people who carry grief every day, to help those that don't carry grief - or find it hard to even contemplate or understand - have better conversations about grief. This podcast profoundly changed my life and I implore you all, every single empath among you, please find a place in your content streams for this beautiful piece of humanity-improving work. (How Is Today?)

Looking for more from James Whatley? Those enrolled in The School of Stolen Genius will receive a deep dive from him in their inbox shortly! You can access all our expert interviews for SOSG here.

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: Game :: I play a lot of Destiny 2. Add me on anything, I'm whatleydude pretty much everywhere (Elden Ring is my GOTY though).

:: City :: Helsinki

:: Book :: The Psychopath Test by John Ronson

:: Podcast :: How is Today? (mentioned already why not also look up Brilliantly Easy, Stupidly Difficult)

:: Album :: Toni Braxton, Secrets

:: Man Stroke Woman ::

Rule 1. Never measure yourself with someone else's yardstick.

Big love,

Whatley out x
Twitter | Writing

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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 :)

Strands of Genius