Black T-Shirts - podcast cover

Black T-Shirts

MIK MADE
Thinkerbell founder Adam Ferrier and leading CMO Brent Smart host a show that celebrates creativity in marketing. Each episode they chat with a leading creative or marketer about them and their work and see if a famous piece of creative work passes the focus group test. Black T-Shirts, it’s XXL Creativity for Marketers.
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Episodes

Susan Credle - Creative Space & Brand Characters

In this episode of The Black T-Shirts Podcast, we sit down with legendary creative leader Susan Credle, former Global Chief Creative Officer at FCB Global. Known for her bold thinking and breakthrough work, Susan shares her insights into the power of creative environments, the art of character development, and the enduring impact of storytelling in brand building. The creative force behind iconic campaigns like the M&M’S "human" characters and Allstate's unforgettable "Mayhem," Susan has hel...

Jun 23, 20251 hr 2 min

Going Rogue & Chicken Handbags: Live At Mumbrella 360

Recorded live at this year’s Mumbrella360, this special episode of The Black T-Shirts Podcast revisits the most powerful insights from some of their favourite guests. From hard-won lessons in creativity to surprising truths about success. Then, in front of a live audience, the hosts flip the script and put themselves to the pub test. Are they living by the wisdom they preach? Are the beers cold? Are the answers honest? Tune in for a candid, unfiltered session.

Jun 06, 202548 min

Sam Rowlands: Killer Stats and Pink Chips

This week on Black T-Shirts, we're joined by Sam Rowlands, a multi-award-winning Creative Lead and Art Director at global innovation agency AKQA. Sam takes us back to her roots, growing up on a farm outside a small town in rural Australia, and shares how that upbringing shaped her perspective and creative grit. We trace her journey from the country to the cutting edge of global creative work and unpack the story behind Pink Chips, her bold, personal, and provocative creative project that's putti...

May 29, 202555 min

Luke & John McKelvey: Celebrity Culture and Ocean Views

In this episode of Black T-Shirts, we dive into the sun-soaked world of celebrity culture, branding, and the creative chaos behind global campaigns with Luke and John McKelvey — the visionary brothers behind creative agency MIRIMAR. From ocean views to red carpets, the McKelveys unpack how they turn cultural moments into marketing magic for some of the world’s biggest stars and brands.

May 21, 20251 hr 1 min

Kim Gehrig: Singing Vaginas and The Creative Skewer

In this episode, we sit down with director Kim Gehrig, whose work spans iconic campaigns like This Girl Can, “Play it Safe” for The Sydney Opera House and of course, “Viva la Vulva” for Libresse. Plus some of the most famous spots for Apple and Nike We chat about what drives her to tell the stories she does, the pressure to keep pushing creative boundaries, and why it’s worth fighting for work that actually means something and what is a creative skewer?

May 15, 202559 min

Phill Agnew: Hard Graft and Soft Nudges

In this episode of The Black T-Shirts Podcast, we’re joined by Phill Agnew, host of Nudge, the only podcast dedicated to consumer psychology. Phill shares his journey from hard-grafting marketer to one of the leading voices in behavioural science for brands, breaking down how tiny tweaks in messaging can create major shifts in behaviour. We dig into how behavioural science can be applied across the all business decisions, what marketers often get wrong about persuasion, and why understanding con...

May 06, 202558 min

Brooke Hammerling: Pop Culture and Public Relations

This week on The Black T-Shirts Podcast, we sit down with Brooke Hammerling legendary PR strategist, founder of boutique agency The New Thing, and the creative force behind the beloved newsletter, podcast, and meme empire Pop Culture Mondays. Brooke shares her journey from shaping the narrative for some of tech’s biggest names to becoming a go-to voice in pop culture commentary (with a little help from Baby Yoda). We dive into the evolving world of PR, what it takes to build authentic buzz today...

Apr 30, 20251 hr 2 min

Chris Beresford Hill - Big Things and Creative Details

In this episode of Black T-Shirts, we sit down with Chris Beresford-Hill, a creative heavyweight with advanced degrees in hustle. In his new role as Worldwide CCO, Chris has helped re-set the vision for the iconic creative house BBDO. Chris unpacks the value of creativity, how to set a creative vision, and have it flow through an organisation. After listening to this episode you'll want to go out and 'Do Big Things'.

Apr 23, 20251 hr 6 min

John Schoolcraft: Mind Control & Milk

In this episode of The Black T-Shirts Podcast, we sit down with the Global Chief Creative Officer at Oatly, the brand that’s become synonymous with rebellious originality in the plant-based space. Known for leading disruptive, design-first campaigns that put authenticity over algorithms, our guest opens up about the power of exploration projects, building a culture of creative bravery, and why consumer brands should stop chasing trends and start chasing ideas.

Apr 15, 20251 hr 13 min

Sherilyn Shackell - Making Marketers and Leading Cults

Today’s guest? She doesn’t wear a black T-shirt. She builds the people who lead the people who run the brands who sell you the black T-shirts. Sherilyn Shackell—founder of The Marketing Academy. An absolute force of nature, and the woman who decided that leadership training shouldn’t feel like a corporate away-day with soggy sandwiches.

Apr 07, 20251 hr 6 min

PJ Pereira - Al Coke Trucks & Creative Liberation

We're back for season 5 and to kick things off we have PJ Pereira. Esteemed novelist, screenwriter, martial arts black-belt and co-founder of award winning creative agency, Pereira O’Del. In this episode, PJ discusses the intersection of AI, creativity, and advertising, exploring how it's reshaping storytelling and creative production and emphasising the importance of embracing new technologies while preserving artistic integrity.

Mar 31, 20251 hr 6 min

Gunny Scarfo: Notification and Storytelling

This week they’re joined by Gunny Scarfo, Co-Founder at Nonfiction Research, creators of uncensored, emotional research studies that have influenced everything from Super Bowl commercials to a Megan Thee Stallion song. In this episode of Black T-Shirts, Gunny Scarfo dives deep into why emotional insights are still the foundation of outstanding creative work, plus details what goes into fostering trusting client relationships when developing comprehensive studies.

Nov 06, 20241 hr 9 min

Live from SxSW Sydney with Henry Innis

This week is a little different. Adam & Brent are live at South By South West and joined by longtime friend and supporter of the Black T-Shirts podcast, Henry Innis. Henry is also the co-founder and CEO at Mutinex GrowthOS, a marketing mix modelling platform designed to drive growth.

Oct 29, 20241 hr 7 min

James Hurman: Previously IT and Future Demand

This week they’re joined by James Hurman, a New Zealand-based entrepreneur, investor, author and advertising effectiveness expert. James is also the founding partner of Previously Unavailable, a creative company that partners with, creates and invests into high-growth startup companies.

Oct 22, 202459 min

Johnnie Ingram: We Have Notes On This Episode

This week they’re joined by Johnnie Ingram, Award Winning Executive Producer, Creative Director, Director & Show Creator of We’re Here — the unscripted series that follows drag queens as they prepare to perform in small conservative towns.

Oct 15, 202456 min

Wanda Pogue: Post Creative Strategy

In this episode of Black T-Shirts, Wanda Pogue, Global Chief Strategy Officer of Vayner Media, speaks to how her understanding of creative strategy has evolved from her days at Saatchi & Saatchi to now being on the trailblazing side of the industry in an agency that prides itself in finding innovative new ways to tell brands’ stories.

Oct 08, 202456 min

AI Merry: The Title For This Episode Could Be Better

In this episode of Black T-Shirts, Al Merry chats to Adam and Brent about what it takes to move from being a creative to founding and running a creative business at the blistering pace set by the current advertising landscape. The interview touches on many tensions faced by creatives and the creative industry today. Perhaps the most relatable point of contention is the tension faced between a focus on the work, vs the commercial and practical realities of running a business.

Oct 01, 202447 min

Mia Freedman & Nat Harvey: Sex toys, Super, and Strife

In this episode of Black T-Shirts, Co-founder and creative force Mia Freedman leads with her passion for authentic, women-first storytelling, while CEO Nat Harvey details what it takes to run Australia's largest independent women's media group. Sex toys, superannuation and the issues facing some of Australia's traditional media outlets are discussed in this frank conversation with one of Australia's most powerful publishing team.

Sep 24, 20241 hr 6 min

Davo, Dancing and Creative Direction

This week they’re joined by David Hallberg, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet. David, or Davo to his mates, was one of the world's most renowned dancers, having been a principal dancer with both the American Ballet Theatre and the Bolshoi Ballet, before becoming Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet. In this episode of Black T-Shirts, David discusses what it takes to have creative ideas and live a creatively fulfilling existence in the world of ballet. He also speaks to his latest ...

Sep 18, 202453 min

Erin Riley Disruption and Rigour

On this weeks episode of Black T Shirts Adam and Brent are joined by the newly appointed CEO of TBWA Worldwide, Erin Riley. We go deep into the ever changing agency landscape as they talk about the disruption mindset that a global company TBWA embodies in their creativity.

Sep 12, 202457 min

Sir Martin Sorrell - Big and Little Thinking

Black T - Shirts is back with a bang. Sir Martin Sorrell, a titan of the advertising world, joins us for an unmissable episode. From his early career at Saatchi & Saatchi to founding WPP, to exploring the future of advertising with the Monks, Sir Martin has shaped the industry in ways few others have. Adam tries to sell Thinkerbell, and then we put S4 to the ultimate challenge: the Pub Test.

Sep 03, 20241 hr 6 min

Rory Sutherland: Two Way Doors & Being Distinctive

Welcome back to the next episode of black t-shirts! Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, needs little introduction. With over 30 years of experience and a significant presence in the advertising world and TED talks with millions of views, Rory's insights are bound to be enlightening!

May 17, 20241 hr 8 min

Andre Toledo: Patience & Taking Creative Opportunities

This weeks guest is Chief Creative Officer at DAVID New York Andre Toledo. In 2019, André opened DAVID Madrid in a small 10-person WeWork office In just one year, DAVID Madrid grew from 3 to 35 people and went from having no clients to a portfolio of acclaimed local and global campaigns, including a Super Bowl spot for Turkish Airlines

May 06, 202452 min

Sue Anderson: Transposable Creativity & Back Of The Deck ideas

Todays guest is Sue Anderson. Sue grew up in South Africa and during her 10-year stint with TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris in Johannesburg, Sue went from copywriter to Group Head and then Creative Director. After an impressive stint as Head of Creative at Facebook she is now Global Head of Creative Roblox. It’s a fascinating chat!

May 03, 202447 min

Henry Innis: Speaking Numerically & Entrepreneurship

Todays guest is Co-Founder and Chief Executive at Mutinex. The journey is a fascinating one that now finds himself in new york. Under-30 Achiever of the Year 2020 @ Mumbrella and has a background in software engineering and digital strategy. Mutinex GrowthOS uses AI-powered foundation modeling to provide recommendations on how they could invest better.

Apr 22, 20241 hr

Nicky Sparshott: Buy In & B Corp

Welcome to another episode of Black T-Shirts. This weeks guest is Nicky Sparshot. With more than 25 years of expertise, she specializes in brand development, business expansion, and organizational change. Nicky's extensive career spans renowned companies such as Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, P&G, and George Patterson Y&R.

Apr 17, 202457 min

Jon Evans: The Uncensored CMO

Todays guest is fellow podcaster and Chief Customer Officer of the polarizing System one. As the host of the Uncensored CMO he explores the good, the bad and quite frankly downright ugly truth about marketing theory & practice.

Apr 08, 20241 hr 6 min

Susan O'Brien: Snoop Dogg & Creative Enabling

Today we have an in person guest all the way from the UK, Susan O'Brien. Susan joined Just Eat Takeaway.com in 2016 as a consultant working on a rebrand. Since then, she’s progressed to Global Vice President of Brand. Just Eat Takeaway.com and McCann London successfully extended the ‘Did Somebody Say’ global creative platform with global super stars such at Snoop Dogg, Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera.

Apr 01, 20241 hr 4 min

Mark Molloy: Control & Creativity

Todays guest joins us from LA but is an Australian through and through. Director Mark Molloy. Mark grew up on a farm in Australia, and the idea of being a director was not a profession that ever crossed his mind. The world of film opened up to him after studying graphic design and moving to London in 1996 As well as some of the best creative in advertising including campaigns for Apple, Mark’s feature debut, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, is set to be released on Netflix this year

Mar 25, 202458 min
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