Futurecrafting™ Fridays

Here’s the 2nd part of our conversation with Marty Neumeier designing the new way of publishing, all around his latest design thriller Octavo . Enjoy as much as I did. Patrick This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit futurecrafting.substack.com

A goooooooooooood while ago Marty Neumeier and I recorded a conversation. For those living under a rock, Marty is a legend in the world of branding, a serial author of branding books series (the famous Brand Gap and numerous others), and a co-founder of Level-C — one of the leading, if not “the” brand strategy education program. I dared to challenge Marty a bit with my framing, which he graciously...

Summary In this conversation with Patrick Kizny, Joanna Garner shares her journey with Meow Wolf, a creative company that has grown rapidly while navigating the challenges of maintaining creativity within a corporate structure. We discuss the tension between artistic freedom and business demands, the importance of creating supportive environments for artists, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding t...

In this conversation, Patrick Kizny and Marc Morissette explore Marc's extensive journey in the VFX industry, discussing his early experiences, the transition to entrepreneurship with his studio Cluster, and the challenges faced in managing a creative team. They explore themes of perfectionism, the impact of external factors like the pandemic and AI, and the emotional toll of closing a business. T...

In this conversation, Patrick Kizny and Chris DuBois discuss the evolving landscape of the agency space, focusing on the challenges posed by market saturation, technological advancements, and the need for agencies to adapt their strategies. They emphasize the importance of problem-focused messaging, the role of AI in enhancing efficiency, and the necessity of defining success and value in business...

Summary In this conversation, Patrick Kizny and Érada Svetlana discuss the transition from corporate roles to creative positions, the implications of Web3 for businesses, and the challenges faced by creative studios in a changing landscape. Érada shares insights on the importance of business operations in creative firms, the role of advisory positions in supporting startups, and the need for educa...

When I met Vicente Numpaque back around 2021, Innk was at the peak with clients such as Apple and the likes. It’s not just his or my studios that were peaking. The entire industry was blooming in the post-COVID boom like no others. Little did we know about what was coming. Around the turn of 2021/2022 Innk crashed beautifully. We met with Vicente to talk about this experience. The battles we fough...

We met with Bobby Gilespie of Propr to discuss how to, and how is it, to join the “Early Abandoners Club”. Now I got you curious… Summary In this conversation, Patrick Kizny and Bobby Gillespie explore the evolution of marketing and agency models, emphasizing the importance of adapting to change and focusing on strategy over mere execution. They discuss the challenges of client relationships, the...

The fastest way to lose your agency’s edge is to try to be everything to everyone. The host, Patrick Kizny and Jeff Meade (Creative Friction) discuss the critical role of positioning and accountability in creative agencies, breaking down the most pressing challenges for agencies today and offering actionable advice on how to create long-term value for clients. Questions we sparred over: ⇀ How can...

Summary What does it really mean to be a strategist in today's business landscape? In this conversation Patrick Kizny and Rob Estreitinho, the founder of Salmon Labs and former global strategy director at VCCP, explore the world of practicing and selling strategy. Together, they challenge traditional notions, discussing why the era of hefty decks and rigid methodologies is fading and how a more co...

The creative industry disruption,The fate of the TitanicAnd the impact of AI.What are the main shifts? What is being disrupted exactly? What new opportunities open up? Who will fill the void created by the dying, outdated agency model? We explored these topics in a convo on the Inspiring Futures podcast by Ed Cotton , Joe Nash and me, Patrick Kizny. Head over to your favorite player to queue it up...

Are you relying on trust to close deals or understanding the real driver behind decision-making? Join Patrick Kizny as he shares insight into why trust might not be as crucial as you think for business growth and how risk management can be the secret engine of success. Key Takeaways: Trust vs. Risk: Discover why trust is often an illusion and how risk assessment plays a more significant role in bu...

Patrick Kizny shares insight on how creative firms can navigate uncertain times by embracing visionary leadership. Instead of fearing market fluctuations, learn how to leverage uncertainty to make bold, strategic moves that resonate with clients and secure your firm's future. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆: Understand the true challenge isn't uncertainty itself but our reaction to it. Learn...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit futurecrafting.substack.com

"If your work doesn't speak for itself, how do you ensure it gets heard?" In this episode of Futurecrafting™, Patrick Kizny dismantles the myth that creative work can speak for itself, emphasizing the need for context and packaging to convey its true impact. Drawing parallels with the unnoticed pavement slabs at the Great Pyramids of Giza, Patrick argues that without proper guidance, clients may o...

#1 The Observation The creative industry is paved with unrecognized value. It's not just motion design studios. It's pretty much entire creative industry. And now, it's not just us, advisors & consultants. Take a look at this post from James Callahan of Future Deluxe. What he says in a self and problem-aware manner, is that us, creative studios, fall into talking pixels, but fail so badly communic...

"I hope the business will be back soon." — heard this from creative firm owners more times than I can count. If you're relying on hope and tightening the belt to survive this downturn, it’s time to rethink. The reality? The markets have been down for 18 months, and studios are closing. So, what's your move? There are only two approaches: feed-back and feed-forward. In uncertain times, the instinct...

Great clients are not found—they're nurtured. Great relationships are not found—they're forged. How can shifting to a value-centered mindset transform your creative firm's impact and profitability? Summary: In this episode of Futurecrafting™, Patrick Kizny delves into the crucial concept of value alignment in the creative industry. He discusses how shifting to a value-aware and value-centered mind...

Introduction: We kick off the series of articles on The Value System. Patrick Kizny discusses the fundamental issues plaguing the creative industry, focusing on the significant disconnect between creatives and their clients. He emphasizes the need for a revolution in how value is understood, communicated, and realized. All that, to come up with a picture of a better world, and tools to charge ahea...

Ever wonder why you lost that project to a bigger competitor who outpriced and outperformed you? It's not just about being creative—it's about systems, processes, and mindset. In this episode, Patrick Kizny dissects the reasons why smaller creative firms lose out to bigger competitors who not only beat them on price but also on creative execution. He explores the importance of robust systems, stra...

Is your vision of success older than your car? Patrick Kizny reflects on the evolving concept of success and its influences from societal and technological pressures. Through personal stories and analysis, he challenges listeners to rethink their definitions of success. Key Takeaways: Reassessing Success: Patrick shares a story about realizing his excessive smartphone screen time, highlighting the...

In this episode of Futurecrafting™, Patrick Kizny challenges the common belief that creative firms need more clients to grow. He dives into the misconceptions around client acquisition and emphasizes the importance of visionary leadership in building meaningful, profitable client relationships. Key Takeaways: More Clients vs. Better Clients : Patrick explores the difference between simply acquirin...

Understanding where your creative studio sits in the value chain is crucial for effective business positioning and pricing strategies. In this episode, we break down the concepts of value creation and value-based pricing, exploring how your position — whether as an execution-focused firm or a strategic partner — shapes your opportunities and approach. Key Points Discussed: Value Chain Mapping: Vis...

Let's challenge the traditional benchmarks of success in the creative sector. Why is 10% growth often seen as enough, and what might we be missing by sticking to this 'safe' number? Let's question everything and dare to aim higher. Join us as we explore the necessity of ambitious thinking in leadership—because effective leadership is about daring to ask the right questions. Stay tuned and rethink...

In "Strategic Over-delivery: When More Is More," we explore the art of exceeding client expectations without overshooting the mark. Ever wonder if all that extra effort is truly recognized or if it just drains your resources? Let's unpack the true costs of over-servicing and explore smarter ways to add value that clients will actually notice and appreciate. Let's rethink over-delivery—smarter, not...