The Tech Focus

We dive into the technology that is set to power the future of advertising, production and beyond, as explained by the people who know how to wield it.

Talent

John Maeda: the Jack of all trades taking on big tech

Described as the “Warren Buffett of design”, "Da Vinci of the digital age" and named one of Esquire’s most important people of the 21st Century, Publicis Sapient’s new Chief Experience Officer John Maeda has had a career that’s been nothing short of prolific. Kate Hollowood speaks to the designer about coming from nothing, the new meaning of brand experience and helping businesses stand up to the tyranny of the tech giants.

Craft

How BETC and Peugeot turned noise into power

As part of our Tech Focus, we speak to Peugeot's Thierry Lonziano, BETC's Rémi Babinet and makemepulse' Antoine Ughetto about their innovative billboard that turns city noise into useable energy.

Insight

How 5G will impact everyday experiences

Rory Byrne, Business Director, Immersive Studio at Imagination, explains low latency, thin clients and why 5G could change our relationship with technology.

Talent

Aaron Duffy: In tech we trust

As we continue our focus on tech, Tim Cumming talks to 1stAveMachine director and SpecialGuest founder Aaron Duffy about marrying creativity with tech innovation and why you need to mix things up to get people to take notice.

Insight

Tech your time: Jonas Drehn

As part of November's tech focus, we're chatting to production experts about how technology has impacted their workflow in the past few years. Here, Jonas Drehn, VFX Supervisor and MD at Bacon X, talks us through how smaller post-houses can now keep up with the big boys, and how machine learning and virtual production could change everything.

Insight

Tech your time: Owen Shearer & Brian Goodheart

Continuing our look at how technology has impacted the working world of the creative community, Sonic Union Mix Engineers and Sound Designers Owen Shearer and Brian Goodheart offer their thoughts on how being tech-savvy is essential in audio post.

Insight

Tech your time: Cameron Temple

In the last of our Tech Focus overviews on how technology has affected the workplaces of those in the creative community, we chat to Cameron Temple, ECD of Stink Studios in London, about the ability to "fly a plane while it's still being built" with collaboration tools.

Talent

Greg White: Post production is a dirty word

Natalie Mortimer talks to Envy Managing Director Greg White about his former career in fashion, the creative power of technology in advertising and the evolving role of the post production house.

Insight

Only mad men believe creativity and data are in conflict

The battle between Big Data and pure brain power is an ongoing one. But here, Fredrik Borestrom, President of the IAA, UK Chapter, argues that it's an unnecessary battle to fight.

Creative first, tech second; Choice-driven narratives are the future

How to keep your agency’s innovation lab thriving

Get creative: levelling up your in-game advertising

The Photography & Cinematography Focus

In a cacophonous digital culture that bombards us with a stream of personal image-sharing and branded visuals, it can be hard for photography to stand out. This month, shots pulls focus on the DPs and photographers whose work sets the optic nerves a-tingle and considers the input of non-human image generators.

The Inspiration Focus

What are the cultural artefacts, random objects, rituals and synaptic sparks that generate fresh ideas? We talk to some of ad land’s most innovative thinkers about creative inspiration. What it is, where they find it and do the AI bots have it too...

The YDA 2024 Focus

The rising stars who won Golds in this year’s Young Director Award share with shots the origins and ideas and behind their films, the production highs and lows and what they’re planning next.

The Music and Sound Focus

With sometimes just seconds to tell a story and set tone, the aurals – as well as the visuals – need to be spot on in ads. This month we sound out the musical maestros and foley funsters worth listening out for.

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