25. Creative leadership, C-suite confessions, and COVID-19 challenges with Mike Spirkovski

What are the challenges faced by creative leaders in this volatile post-covid 19 world? And what really goes on in the C-suite of an ad agency?

 In Episode 25 of the B-side, I speak to Mike Spirkovski – affectionately known as 'Spirko' – Chief Creative Officer of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia. He sits on the Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide Creative Board and the Worldwide Toyota Creative Leadership Team.

 Mike's career spans 20 years in the industry, where he has led some of the top Agencies in Australia like Clemenger BBDO, Droga5 and Leo Burnett, and founded his own creative company, Cassius Clay.

He speaks frankly about his very humble beginnings growing up in Western Sydney and working in factories. But with an inquisitive mind, a hard work ethic, and a desire to make a difference, he scaled the advertising industry's heights to become a CCO.

Mike chats about the challenges he's faced leading a team remotely during covid-19 and the human interaction value in the creative process. Shares insights into the quality and purpose of the work his agency has produced during lockdown. And the successes his clients have seen as a result of it domestically.

And he provides a behind-the-scenes look into the life of a Chief Creative Officer and what it takes to steer the creative direction of one of the world's most famous ad agency brands in Australia.

Spirko is an inspiring and incredibly charismatic guy and someone I have tremendous respect for. If you're looking to move into a creative leadership position, I recommend listening to this episode. It's a rare thing to hear such a frank and honest account of what it takes to lead a major creative agency. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Cheers.

You can find Mike here: https://www.saatchi.com.au/mike-spirkovski/

And connect with him on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-spirkovski-6087a113/?originalSubdomain=au