On My Radar: Brendan Jenkins

What’s the best ad campaign you’ve seen recently?

We saw a big influx of football influenced commercials and content this year due to the World Cup - I think Rollo Jackson's Mercedes Best Never Rest was bang on. Forward thinking, mixed-media car commercial that was both entertaining and experimental. Loved it.

What website(s) do you use most regularly and why?

I'm a Google Maps fiend. I will stalk the geographical shit out of anything. And I am a little prone to being swayed by Google ratings...Yes, I've written a bad review. And yes, I feel guilty. But the people needed to know it was a bad pizza.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought and why?

I recently happened upon a Nintendo Switch. No explanation necessary. If you want to get thrashed at Mario Kart - hit me up.

Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? 

Instagram: @jumpkins

What’s your favourite app on your phone and why?

VHS Cam is awesome. The only app to use when on holiday. Monzo... if you know, you know.

What’s your favourite TV show and why? 

I tend to watch a lot more film than television but I can't go past an episode of Seinfeld. It just never gets old, it always makes me happy. Westworld season one was perfect. It was like a great book, you can't put down - I think I binged this in one weekend. Black Mirror is another stand out. Charlie Brooker is an incredible writer. I have to slightly psyche myself up to watch it, but I love how every episode makes you wonder about the future.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

[1995 American Western] Dead Man, directed by Jim Jarmusch [below]. "That weapon will replace your tongue. You will learn to speak through it. And your poetry will now be written with blood." Or [2000 Australian crime drama] Chopper, directed by Andrew Dominik: "Keithy seems to done himself a mischief."

Where were you when inspiration last struck? 

When I'm feeling dry of inspiration I usually find myself in a gallery, a museum or the cinema. I think the last time I remember being properly inspired was sitting in a daytime screening of Isle of Dogs. It was a big cinema and I was the only audience member. Dead centre. PERFECT. I didn't really have much expectation for the film but the art direction in the first 20 minutes was so good, I'm now desperate to visit Japan.

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?

9:16 aspect ratio is now a thing. People no longer need to turn their phones sideways to watch a commercial. I also love that shooting on film has become popular again. It's refreshing to see more and more brands are choosing to use it - you can go super high-end with that digital feel but nothing beats the colour and depth that you get on actual film.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be? 

We could install neon signs in edit suites that flash during client presentations, it'd say something simple like "It's just advertising". I think it's important to keep it all in perspective to what's actually going on in the world around us.

What or who has most influenced your career and why?

RAGE is like Australia's version of MTV. As a teenager I used to stay up all hours watching music videos and thinking how I could make them. Making the move from Sydney to London has opened up the world to me in a way - there's so much culture and influence that passes through this city. it's super inspiring to be constantly working with people from all over as well as the many talented locals.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…

I spent six months in the desert working on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road.