Make The Logo Bigger

This episode dives into one of the most essential tools in advertising production: the schedule. Learn what a timeline really is, how to build one starting from delivery and working backwards and the key milestones to include. From buffers and weather holds to version control and locking stakeholder time, this practical guide will help ensure your next campaign runs smoothly from brief to delivery...

Ever wondered how a director convinces an agency or brand that their vision is the one to trust? In advertising production, it often comes down to a single document - the treatment. In this episode, we break down what a treatment really is. A director’s visual and written pitch that sells the idea, builds trust and makes the creative feel inevitable. From the opening paragraph that hooks a client,...

Tim Potter is a director who started out on the other side of the camera, working as an actor before taking the self-taught path into directing. In this episode, Tim shares how he made the shift - building a reel from scratch, pitching unpaid spec spots to real clients and writing his first treatment in Word without even knowing what a treatment was. He talks about early insecurities - faking it,...

A good brief doesn’t just kick off a job - it shapes how well that job runs. In this episode we unpack what makes a clear, complete and production-ready brief. From job numbers and deliverables to usage, scripts, moodboards, approvals and more - this is the foundational doc that every project flows from. Whether you’re briefing a director, production company or editor, this one’s for agency, brand...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of production - the budget. It’s not just a number. It’s the invisible brief that quietly defines what’s possible and how creative ideas take shape. We talk through when budgets arrive, how to ballpark early, and what it means to scale a concept into reality. From contingency planning and value conversations to build...

JH Walker is a storyteller who doesn’t just direct, he conducts. JH joins us for a raw, honest chat about what it means to hold onto humanity in a world driven by deadlines, deliverables and now AI. He talks about why writing your vision down - distilling it into words and pictures - isn’t just about selling a treatment. It’s about testing your thinking. Making it legible. Making it real. We dive...

Victoria Connors is a producer and business owner with over 30 years in advertising production. Vic has had front row seats to how the industry has truly changed from the shift to digital to the rise of flexible hybrid creatives. We talk about how production roles have evolved, why no but is often the right answer and how Eric, Tom and Bruce builds jobs with a good, better, best model. There's ins...

Pat Langton has been a Creative Director, an ECD, run his own agency, sold it, started a new creative studio and somewhere along the way picked up producing too. It’s rare to find someone who’s navigated the agency world, client expectations, the creative process and production with such hands on experience. Pat’s story is one of evolution. From his early days at RMIT to working at big shops like...

Matt McCaughey is a a seasoned and well established director whose journey into filmmaking began as a teenager, sparked by an ad he saw in the cinema. A serendipitous moment that planted the seed for a career behind the camera. From humble beginnings, sweeping floors and puppeteering on the iconic ABC political satire, Rubbery Figures, Matt's path took him from aspiring cinematographer to directin...

Jon Paul-Jacques (JPJ) is an advertising veteran whose journey from web design to Executive Creative Director has spanned some of the biggest agencies and brands in the world. For the past nine years JPJ has been the Executive Creative Director on the Ford account, leading large scale campaigns that have shaped the brand’s creative direction across the region. Starting out in the early days of dig...

Yes, we are diving back into the production trenches with one of our former guests, executive producer, Nat Taylor. As many people know, Nat is a powerhouse in the production world, known for her ability to navigate the chaos and keep projects on track, no matter how wild, mad or crazy things get. What is it? "Consolidate The Feedback" is those dinner party worthy tales of production nightmares, c...

Emma Scott is a seasoned producer with over 20 years of experience working on tourism, automotive, adventure and large scale events. Em's journey into production started with a passion for creativity, dabbling in theatre, photography and the arts before finding her true calling behind the scenes, orchestrating shoots and making the impossible happen. From managing high profile tourism campaigns to...

Matt Stoddart is the Executive Creative Director at TBWA Melbourne. He has spent over two decades challenging the conventions of his profession. From humble beginnings as a graphic designer in Christchurch, New Zealand, to his current role as ECD, Matt’s career has been determined by his commitment to craft, innovation, and an unrelenting 'hunger'. His accolades, including Cannes Lions, Spikes &am...

Martin Box is the current Co-chair of the Commercial Producers Council (CPC) and former Executive Producer @ Airbag. Martin’s career path is anything but ordinary. Starting out with a fine arts degree, he initially found himself working at a bookstore until a friend offered him a chance to be a runner on a television show. That small opportunity sparked a journey through TV production, live TV flo...

Glenn Dalton is the former ECD at Hardhat & Akkomplice agencies in Melbourne. With a career spanning almost 25 years, Glenn has seen it all. From his early days as a copywriter at CHE (now CHEP) to joining AJF in its early years, Glenn has always believed that great work requires more than just clever ideas - it needs story and soul. Throughout his journey Glenn has championed the power of aut...

Nick Jamieson is the former Executive Creative Director at Taboo Group and most recently at Scooter in Melbourne. While Nick’s path didn’t follow the traditional route through Australia’s big agencies, his journey is never the less marked by creativity, resilience, individuality and a fearless approach to new challenges. From comedy and acting to creative writing, Nick’s diverse background has giv...

Karlene Van Opdorp is an accomplished producer and current Head of Post Production at Bastion whose career spans both agency and client-side roles across New Zealand, the UK, and Australia. Originally from New Zealand, Karlene started her journey in the world of brand and design before quickly transitioning into advertising, where she cut her teeth working on Kmart commercials and car campaigns fo...

Stephen Digby is the owner of Digby Law and a highly respected intellectual property lawyer with over 30 years of experience working closely with producers, freelancers, ad agencies, and production companies. As the legal advisor to the Commercial Producers Council, Stephen knows the ins and outs of what it takes to protect your business and your IP in the production world. We discuss the critical...

Caleb De Leon and Haley McDonald, the dynamic duo leading 3P Studio, a full-service content and post-production powerhouse. Caleb’s career began unexpectedly in live events, where he gradually discovered his passion for VFX and post-production, ultimately becoming a creative director and VFX supervisor. Meanwhile, Haley’s journey followed a more traditional route, fuelled by an early love for film...

Heath George is the Founder and Executive Producer at Clockwork Films. Heath's journey is nothing short of inspirational, marked by perseverance, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. From growing up on dirt floors in Broken Hill to pursuing engineering at ANU, Heath’s path took a significant turn when financial challenges led him to follow his passion for film at Charles Sturt...

Kat is the Executive Producer and owner of Compadre Picture Company. Kat's journey into advertising is filled with fascinating turns and invaluable experiences. From starting her career in a boutique agency in Bristol, England to working with some of the best producers in the business, Kat has carved out a unique and impressive path. In the episode, we explore Kat's early career at BCM Agency and...

Wilf Sweetland. A name that many in the industry will undoubtedly recognise.  Wilf started his journey with aspirations of becoming an actor but quickly transitioned into production roles after a stint in LA. His career has seen him rise through the ranks from a runner in Melbourne to production manager, and eventually, to the roles of Managing Director and Global CEO at Sweetshop. Most recently,...

Dalton Henshaw is the founder and CEO of Bullfrog. Starting his career at just 18 with a men's lifestyle publication, Dalton has spent the last 5 years making significant strides in the advertising industry, collaborating with both global and national brands. His expertise in storytelling and business development, along with his forward-thinking approach to digital media, offers a fresh perspectiv...

Sarah Hickey is a talented director and the co-founder of the creative hybrid production company Monster and Bear. With an impressive portfolio spanning both advertising and long-form TV shows, Sarah’s journey began at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music before she picked up a camera and transitioned to directing in 2013. As one of the driving forces behind Monster and Bear, Sarah brings a weal...

Stu Turner began his career in hospitality until a close friend recognised his potential as a copywriter and convinced him to pursue a future in advertising. Starting his journey in South Africa, Stu moved to Australia 14 years ago and has since risen to the position of Group Executive Creative Director at VML Australia. Stu's journey is rich with unique experiences and invaluable insights int...