Second Wind by Also Known As

Gully Flowers, Kerrie Finch, Jake Neske

Candid conversations with the people shaping brands and culture. Inside how world-class creatives think, work and build lasting careers.

  1. JAN 27

    Simon Cook (Cannes Lions CEO): Creativity as a Growth System

    Creativity isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s infrastructure for growth. Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, shares what the world’s top leaders are learning about turning creativity into a repeatable system that drives brand building, innovation, and business growth - even when budgets tighten and AI reshapes the rules. In this episode, we cover: • From polishing trophies to leading Cannes Lions: Simon’s path (and what he learned along the way) • Why Cannes is shifting from celebrating outputs to rewarding the inputs behind great work (the new Creative Brand Lion) • What 50 global CEOs said about unlocking the next chapter of growth through creativity • How to build “conditions for success”: culture, rituals, accountability, KPIs, and creative infrastructure • Creators at Cannes: what the creator economy means for brands, platforms, and agencies • AI integrity standards: protecting trust, authenticity, and authorship in creative work If you’re a CMO, founder, agency leader, or anyone trying to make the business case for creativity, this one’s for you. Follow Second Wind for more conversations at the intersection of creativity, marketing, and growth. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:43 From agency to Cannes 04:55 Creativity as infrastructure 06:15 The Global CEO Forum 11:25 Reframing creativity as innovation 16:35 Creators, brands, platforms 22:15 Access, ERA, talent pipeline 28:40 AI integrity standards 34:55 Legacy: creativity as a system

    38 min

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Candid conversations with the people shaping brands and culture. Inside how world-class creatives think, work and build lasting careers.

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