Two creative superstars joust over just what does make a great idea and how creativity really can make a difference to the fortunes of business

To kick start the new year for our next Business Lunch NABS have lined up two very impressive Executive Creative Directors, to debate how creativity is key to a successful business.

What to expect

40 minutes of some of the most interesting thoughts and views (and probably some bad jokes) you might hear all year.

Our Guests

Danny Brooke-Taylor, Executive Creative Director of Dare.

Danny started out at JWT Manchester. His first ad featured a Manchester model Gary Barlow.

He then went on to enjoy 10 years at TBWA Manchester where, as creative Director, he led the agency to the finals of Cannes 4-years running.

In 2004, he moved down to London to join TBWA where he became Creative Director – winning awards for his work on Adidas and PlayStation.

In 2008, he moved to MCBD leading the agency to creative success on brands such as Hovis, Virgin Trains and Waitrose.
He’s now joint Executive Creative Director of Dare and sits next to a Bavarian bloke called Flo. He often thinks of Gary Barlow, and hope things turned out alright for him!

Jim Thornton, Executive Creative Director of Arnold KLP, London.

Having failed to secure a position in any of his chosen professions – gigolo, Rock God, pillar of Stoke’s defence – Jim Thornton secured a job at JWT in 1986, on account of their agency football team needing a sweeper of grace and vision. And Jim’s Art Director was just the man for the job.

He was then sold to GGT in 1996, prior to the agency’s merger with TBWA. While at GGT and TBWA, Jim became Creative Director and writer of highly acclaimed work for Holsten Pils, Do It All, The Big Issue and National Westminster Bank among others.

There was really only room for two people with curly hair at the top of the TBWA creative department, so in 1999 Jim left to join Mother as a Creative Director. Over the following four years Jim was to work across a wide range of accounts, winning a wide range of glittering baubles in the process.

And during those rollercoaster four years, Mother was Campaign’s Agency of the Year twice, and won Campaign of the Year for ITV Digital.

In September 2003, Jim swapped the ITV Digital Monkey for the far cooler Coco Pops Monkey and joined Leo Burnett as Executive Creative Director. After 4 fantastic and fascinating years there winning much business and even more awards, he departed Kensington Village to have a life, and freelance at agencies as diverse as Mother (twice), BMB and Rapier whilst also honing his skills in the digital arena with Work Club & Digitas.

During this time he also jumped the fence to be the launch Marketing Director with responsibility for developing the brand for an online Financial Services and Concierge Service aimed at successful, professional women called Addidi.com, and also launched the world’s first ever magazine and website devoted to everything associated with death, called Eulogy.

He returned to full time Creative Directing at Naked Communications between 2009 and 2011, before joining ArnoldKLP in June of this year.

He has been married for 23 years, has 2 teenage children, 2 dogs, lives in East Sussex and is permanently knackered.

Date

18th January 2012

Venue

Merchant Room, Castlefield (next to Dukes 92)

Timing

12.30pm Bar opens for drinks and networking
1pm Welcome and Lunch
2pm Speakers and questions
3pm Finish

How to book

Tickets priced £22 (plus VAT) MPA members, £25 (plus VAT) non members – price includes two course lunch and coffee

Tables of 10 available for exclusive use or shared tables

Don’t miss out on this great networking event – to book your tickets please contact Keely McIntosh on 0161 962 9254 keely.mcintosh@hearst.co.uk to place your order – invoices will be raised – all invoices must be paid before the event date

Discounts and smaller table sizes available for multiple event bookings please ask Keely for details