Neurodiversity isn’t a disability, but a different wiring of the brain. Distinguished creative leader Merlee Jayme joins Rei for another episode to explore the current state of neurodiversity in the creative sector, examining the complexities and untapped potential it brings to the workplace. In the conversation, Merlee recounts her pivotal moment in her life two years ago, sparked by observing her young nephew with autism, which led her to establish Misfits Camp—a training center for neurodiverse young adults in the Philippines.

2025 ADFEST LOTUS LEGEND Merlee has dedicated her life to pushing creativity forward.

She is the Chairmom® and founder of The Misfits Camp, the first-ever safe space in the world to assess and upskill neurodivergent and deaf creative adults and bridge them to the creative industry.

And just this year, she founded Jayme Headquarters, a social enterprise creative agency that provides actual workplace experience for divergent creatives.

Before this, Merlee was an advertising veteran and a creative leader. She was Dentsu

McGarryBowen Global co-president and led Dentsu International APAC as Chief Creative Officer to greater heights by winning the Adfest Network of the Year 2020 and 2022, Spikes Network of the Year 2021, Cannes Lions Regional Network of the Year 2021, and AD STARS Network of the Year 2021.

Her work pushes Insights and innovation and inspires creative collaboration.

Having received major awards, including the Philippines’ only Cannes Lions Grand Prix, she was one of the eight women in the world’s top 100 Chief Creative Officers according to the 2019 Drum Global Ranking.

The first Filipino to be named Creative of the Year in Southeast Asia by Campaign Asia, she was also recognized with the 4As of the Philippines Lifetime Achievement Awardee in 2023, the Hall of Fame Award by the 4As Creative Guild, The New York Festivals Creative Achievement Award, and the CEO of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators, the Asian Marketing Federation Woman Marketer of the Year 2019, and the Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Women’s Advancement Champion for her creative work for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in 2024.

Merlee is one of CNN’s Leading Women, the author/illustrator of four creative books, the mom of four creative women, and an inspiration for breaking the glass ceiling in this mad men’s world.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Empowering Neurodiverse Talent Through Creative Training
• 4:44 Exploring Neurodiversity and Its Unique Strengths
• 8:49 Discovering and Nurturing Neurodiverse Talents for Creative Careers
• 15:00 Building a Creative Ecosystem with Misfits Camp and Agency
• 18:18 Embracing Neurodiversity in the Creative Industry

Episode References:

• Merlee Jayme | TikTok
• Merlee Jayme | LinkedIn
• Merlee Jayme | Facebook
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back Rishad Tobaccowala for a fun round of lightning questions.

Tobaccowala was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders for his pioneering innovation and TIME magazine dubbed him one of five “Marketing Innovators.

Rishad is the author of “Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in The Age of Data” which helps people think, feel, and see differently about how to grow their companies, their teams and themselves to remain relevant in transformational time and the upcoming “Re-Thinking Work” to be published globally by HarperCollins in February 2025 which helps people thrive amidst the seismic changes that will occur at work due a combination of changing demographics, new mindsets, the rise of distributed work, and the spread of AI.

Rishad Tobaccowala remains a Senior Advisor to the Publicis Groupe where he has spent his entire 37 career, most recently serving as the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist of the 106,000 person firm.

Episode References:

• Rishad Tobaccowala | Website
• Rishad Tobaccowala | Substack
• Rishad Tobaccowala | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X

I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Career relevance is a constant concern throughout anyone’s career, according to Rishad Tobaccowala, a visionary in creative business strategy and four-decade-long advisor to professionals and organizations. In this second episode, we discuss the common concerns that middle and senior managerial professionals encounter amidst continual change and technological advancements, such as AI. Rishad shares philosophies for career longevity and actionable tips for relevance, including dedicating an hour daily to learning, critically assessing opposing viewpoints, and focusing on creating rather than managing.

Tobaccowala was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders for his pioneering innovation and TIME magazine dubbed him one of five “Marketing Innovators.

Rishad is the author of “Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in The Age of Data” which helps people think, feel, and see differently about how to grow their companies, their teams and themselves to remain relevant in transformational time and the upcoming “Re-Thinking Work” to be published globally by HarperCollins in February 2025 which helps people thrive amidst the seismic changes that will occur at work due a combination of changing demographics, new mindsets, the rise of distributed work, and the spread of AI.

Rishad Tobaccowala remains a Senior Advisor to the Publicis Groupe where he has spent his entire 37 career, most recently serving as the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist of the 106,000 person firm.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 Intro
• 4:42 The Importance of Allocating Time for Daily Learning
• 8:41 Rethinking Leadership: Learning, Opposing Views, and Creative Growth
• 13:00 Discipline as a Pathway to Freedom and Growth
• 15:24 Finding Joy and Growth in the Crevices of Life
• 22:17 Three Steps to Stay Relevant

Episode References:

• Rishad Tobaccowala | Website
• Rishad Tobaccowala | Substack
• Rishad Tobaccowala | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X

I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The future of work isn't just about where we work, but how and why. Rei talks with Rishad Tobaccowala, a visionary in creative business strategy, to dissect the evolving landscape of work amid societal and technological upheavals. As the pandemic and AI innovations reshape global work dynamics, Rishad shares his unique insights on how both companies and leaders can adapt to these changes effectively.

Throughout the discussion, Rishad highlights five critical shifts reshaping the workplace: societal, technological, market, office, and mindset shifts. With clear, actionable strategies, Rishad delves into the implications of these shifts.

Tobaccowala was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders for his pioneering innovation and TIME magazine dubbed him one of five “Marketing Innovators.

Rishad is the author of “Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in The Age of Data” which helps people think, feel, and see differently about how to grow their companies, their teams and themselves to remain relevant in transformational time and the upcoming “Re-Thinking Work” to be published globally by HarperCollins in February 2025 which helps people thrive amidst the seismic changes that will occur at work due a combination of changing demographics, new mindsets, the rise of distributed work, and the spread of AI.

Rishad Tobaccowala remains a Senior Advisor to the Publicis Groupe where he has spent his entire 37 career, most recently serving as the Chief Growth Officer and Chief Strategist of the 106,000 person firm.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Exploring Seismic Changes in Work with Rishad Tobaccowala
• 4:04 The Future of Work: Societal Shifts and Technological Advances
• 8:04 Reinventing Work: The Rise of Small Companies and AI
• 12:24 The Rise of Fractionalized Employees in the Modern Workforce
• 13:54 The Rise of New Leadership and Workplace Dynamics
• 23:19 Five Shifts and Four Actions for Modern Business Success
• 24:36 Four Takeaways

Episode References:

• Rishad Tobaccowala | Website
• Rishad Tobaccowala | Substack
• Rishad Tobaccowala | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X

I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this second episode with VP of Creative at Liquid Death, Andy Pearson, we explore the critical role of humor, the importance of taking time off to gain fresh perspectives, and the benefits of committing fully to creative ideas. Andy shares insights into his approach to marketing and life, reflecting on past experiences such as selling high-priced cookies to fund a pivotal career moment, and discusses how his extreme ultramarathon running influences his creative mindset.

Andy is the VP of Creative at Liquid Death, one of the fastest growing non-alc beverage brands of all time. As part of Liquid Death's evil mission to make the world healthier and more sustainable, Andy helps oversee all the hilarious creative output from the brand, from its viral video content to social content to merch to experiential events to CRM and more. Prior, Andy spent 12+ years as an award-winning creative at agencies like CP+B, Deutsch LA, and Humanaut. He thinks marketing sucks and we should make entertainment instead.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Rewriting Brand Marketing Rules with Humor and Innovation
• 1:35 The Balance of Risk and Humor in Liquid Death's Marketing
• 5:06 Respectful Marketing Through Creativity and Organic Content
• 8:04 Creative Students Fund Cannes Trip with $500 Cookies
• 10:44 A Year of Travel and Freelancing Sparks Career Transformation
• 13:21 The Mental and Physical Challenges of Ultramarathon Running
• 16:36 Balancing Extreme Work and Nature for Personal Growth
• 20:00 Three Takeaways

Episode References:

• Andy Pearson | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Liquid Death's approach to marketing? Don't just market – entertain. Rei talks with VP of Creative at Liquid Death, Andy Pearson, about how the unconventional brand uses humor, creative audacity, and bold characterization to elevate its marketing strategy. Andy discusses the origins of his relationship with the brand's CEO, his process of envisioning Liquid Death as a character rather than just a brand, and how this perspective drives their creative decisions. With a focus on engaging audiences through entertainment rather than traditional marketing, Andy reveals the power of small, impactful ideas that change perceptions and create deeper connections with consumers.

Andy is the VP of Creative at Liquid Death, one of the fastest growing non-alc beverage brands of all time. As part of Liquid Death's evil mission to make the world healthier and more sustainable, Andy helps oversee all the hilarious creative output from the brand, from its viral video content to social content to merch to experiential events to CRM and more. Prior, Andy spent 12+ years as an award-winning creative at agencies like CP+B, Deutsch LA, and Humanaut. He thinks marketing sucks and we should make entertainment instead.

Timestamps:

• 0:03 Liquid Death's Creative Evolution and Explosive Growth
• 4:29 Liquid Death's Journey from Skepticism to Market Success
• 9:01 Liquid Death's Unique Marketing Approach Through Character-Driven Strategy
• 12:24 The Creative Journey and Evolution of Liquid Death
• 18:05 The Power of Humor in Building Emotional Connections
• 19:16 Creative Marketing Strategies with Liquid Death's Andy Pearson

Episode References:

• Andy Pearson | LinkedIn
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alternative career choices? Next travel destinations? Favorite food? We welcome back David Charles Rodrigues for a fun round of lightning questions.

David loves to give brands and IP the soul and longevity they deserve.

His work is part of the permanent collection of the Academy Museum - he is a Sundance alumni and TriBeCa Award-winning Brazilian-American filmmaker and creative director. In 2024, he World Premiered his latest feature S/he is Still Her/e at the TriBeCa Film Festival as well as the new Apple TV series Omnivore featuring NOMA Chef Rene Redzepi. Previously, he directed and produced the Netflix original series NEYMAR: The Perfect Chaos. Selected as one of the Top Ten documentaries of 2022, according to Esquire. It was one of the most watched docu-series globally on Netflix, making it to the Top Ten in over 50 countries. The series is Executive produced by Lebron James and Maverick Carter.

In 2019, he wrote and directed Airbnb's first ever feature film Gay Chorus Deep South - winner of best doc at the 2019 TriBeCa Film Festival, a silver lion at Cannes and selected to Rotten Tomatoes list of the top 20 LGBTQ films of all time. The film was sold to MTV Documentary Films as its first Oscar contender and is available on Paramount plus. It has become part of the permanent collection of the Academy Museum.

David has been a Creative Director/Writer in Advertising since 2001. He has worked at top creative agencies, directly with Fortune 500 brands and his work has been recognized by all the major festivals.

His latest clients include Apple, Adidas global and Google Photos. Creative directing, concepting and writing Global campaign platforms, content and product launches.

Episode References:

• David Charles Rodrigues | Instagram
• David Charles Rodrigues | Portfolio
• Rei Inamoto | Instagram
• Rei Inamoto | X
• I&CO | Corporate Site

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.