Digital Blog From Bristol

Chris Thurling

After a short Summer hiatus, the Digital blog from Bristol returns! What better way to kick off our next installment of digital life from the ‘creative capital of SW England’ than to tell you about the launch of Bristol’s Creative Directors’ Network (CDN), set up by yours truly at 3Sixty and those creative types at Bristol Media (http://www.bristolmedia.co.uk/). We launched the network specifically to fill a gap for Bristol’s senior designers and creative directors from across the city’s creative and media sectors. The idea is to encourage collaboration and give isolated figures (all Creative Directors, please stand up) the opportunity to share their experiences and sense check ideas and influences. For the first event, London based creative (and ex-O&M Executive Creative Director), Patrick Collister came to the CDN to speak on the subject 'What does it take to be a world class creative director?’ Around 30-40 members of the CDN heard Patrick deliver some wise words: He said to be a great creative director you need 3 things: 3 bits of work - for authority. A partner - not a boss. Independence. He said creative people are welcomed by organisations in times of dire need but are resented thereafter for threatening the status quo. But then that’s a good thing. He said the digital revolution provides creative people an opportunity to climb out of the ivory tower and start acquiring responsibilities for every stage of the creative process, not simply the end product. Anyone need a ladder? Finally, he said there is also an opportunity for creative people to go further upstream and talk to clients about their businesses from a commercial sense rather than just their communications. This is a very good thing. As we all know, great creative ideas are at the heart of successful businesses. The night was a great success and was good to spend time with like-minded ‘colleagues’. If you’re a creative director and thinking of visiting Bristol in the future, do get in touch – we’d love to seeyou at our next event..