Navigating Creativity: Insights from Diverse Leaders in the Dynamic World of Creative Agencies

Embarking on the multifaceted journey within the creative industry, one may wonder: What wisdom and experiences do seasoned leaders hold for those navigating the diverse landscape of creative agencies? To answer this question, Epic Made recently spoke with a group of dynamic individuals from various corners of the industry—each with a distinct story and perspective. Diverse in their backgrounds and roles, these visionary leaders collectively share insights into the challenges, strategies, and creative processes that define their journeys. From unconventional beginnings to practical advice for aspiring creators, these individuals shed light on the nuanced and ever-evolving world of creative agencies.

In the dynamic realm of creative agencies, a diverse group of leaders shares insights and experiences that illuminate the innovative paths within the industry. These individuals, each with a unique narrative, contribute valuable perspectives on navigating challenges and fostering creativity. From tales of unconventional beginnings to practical advice for aspiring creators, collective wisdom emphasizes the importance of authenticity, strategic thinking, and a strong network in the creative process. The overarching narrative weaves together diverse voices, highlighting the resilience, creativity, and strategic approaches essential in the ever-evolving landscape of creative agencies.

Nathan Anderson, New Canvas

Very early in Nathan Anderson’s career, he had the good fortune of working on the set of The Matrix as a production runner and somehow managed to have his chin appear in the film for about 1.5 seconds. He notes that Keanu Reeves is a kind, humble person who is a bit embarrassed by his popularity. Nathan is currently the Executive Producer and CEO of New Canvas, where his goal is to have a successful medium-sized studio that produces interesting work and distributes it to larger entities.

New Canvas is an immersive media studio that is very interested in trying to work out the native format for entertainment in immersive media. Nathan says TV, film, radio, and other mediums have a native format—something that occurs exclusively on that platform and audiences can't get on other platforms. New Canvas is interested in blending elements of game design and story components that you might find in film and TV, but also live events, theater, and social layers, then trying to create new content experiences that naturally suit the immersive media platform. New Canvas is developing new projects as well as adapting book properties and different existing source material and then publishing and distributing that content around the world.

Learn more: Nathan Anderson on LinkedIn, New Canvas

Kayla Comalli, Lovelace Studio

Kayla Comalli, the CEO and Co-founder of Lovelace Studios, offers vital advice for aspiring creators in the industry. She encourages a strong focus on developing non-precooked worlds and highlights the significance of modular components. This approach grants players greater control and customization options, leading to more unique experiences and potential monetization opportunities through items like avatar skins. By breaking down elements into manageable pieces and forming partnerships with creative agencies, creators can efficiently enhance their game offerings, providing players with unforgettable and engaging experiences.

Lovelace is a cutting-edge company at the forefront of innovation, utilizing AI to drive their community-built multiverse platform, Nyric. With avant-garde 3D generation technology, players can craft customized, photorealistic worlds that cater to their imagination. The platform's modular resource layer ensures that trade and competition are seamless and interoperable. Lovelace's ultimate vision is to empower players with absolute agency, allowing them to create anything from cyberpunk cities to giant mushroom kingdoms or even spaghetti-western landscapes. With Lovelace and Nyric, the possibilities are limitless, putting creativity and control firmly in the hands of the players.

Learn more: Kayla Comalli on LinkedIn, Lovelace Studio

Nathan Hollerbach, Headlights

Nathan Hollerbach faced formidable challenges as a white entrepreneur in the predominantly African-American hip-hop industry while launching Headlights Hip-Hop. Building a robust network of artists and dedicated fans requires authentic engagement and cultural understanding. Convincing predominantly older white male investors of his platform's legitimacy demanded persistent persuasion backed by tangible progress. Despite these hurdles, Nathan's dedication and passion allowed Headlights Hip-Hop to thrive, offering a groundbreaking space for up-and-coming hip-hop artists to gain visibility and challenge traditional industry norms.

Headlights is a platform revolutionizing the music industry, aiming to solve its current challenges. It provides a private hip-hop network where artists actively pursue success through virtual events, interactive voting, and a leaderboard. Fans get real-time access to top hip-hop artists as they vote. Artists use deep links to connect with fans, gain exposure, and unlock rewards, including media campaigns and label networking. Headlights is the ideal proving ground for talented artists seeking recognition by fans and labels alike.

Learn more: Nathan Hollerbach on LinkedIn, Headlights

Gary Phillips, Anime Village

Investors pay attention: anime and gaming have an enormous fan base, according to Gary Phillips, Co-founder and CEO of Anime Village. An anime is a style of Japanese film and television animation, typically aimed at adults and children. Gary says a typical gaming fan is also an anime fan. He has found that many investors don't understand that out of three billion gamers, you’ll probably discover that about a billion are anime fans in some form.

Anime Village is a storytelling company harnessing the power of Web3, AI, blockchain technologies, and innovative game development that prides itself on high-quality work. When you are producing good stuff, Gary says, you don’t want to make it all available for public consumption too quickly. “You want to hold back a little bit and slowly introduce it as you start building it,” he said. Gary is confident that what Anime Village is building will become a large multiplayer environment.

Learn more: Gary Phillips on LinkedIn, Anime Village

Danun Todd, Aurovine

For anybody who’s trying to break into the music industry, do anything creative, or even run their own company, Danun Todd, the managing director at Aurovine, has two primary pieces of advice: believe in yourself and stick to what you're doing. You don’t need to have 100 million subscribers to consider yourself a success, Danun advises, and you can be doing very, very well at a modest level. He notes that the creator of Ferrari probably isn’t worried that he doesn’t sell as many cars as Toyota.

Aurovine, according to Danun, was the world`s first officially recognized blockchain music platform. It launched alongside its cryptocurrency, the Audiocoin, which gained significant traction after a few years and began performing well. The previous owners decided to step away from the company and asked Danun to take over; he said yes and is about to relaunch the concept as a hybrid and independent blockchain music platform. Danun refers to it as a hybrid because of the way it supports up-and-coming artists through PR, media, and music marketing: “We're small, we're boutique, and we're independent. We're not looking to take on the majors; we're looking to work at more of a ground level, really helping musicians.”

Learn more: Danun Todd on LinkedIn, Aurovine

Andrew Batey, Beatdapp

Andrew Batey has successfully built and sold four companies and is now running his fifth, Beatdapp, whose purpose is to stop streaming fraud and save clients money. When starting a new business, Andrew offers this tip: Decide which type of business you want to be in. He divides businesses into two categories: birds and fish. Birds are scalable; they're like software solutions. Fish, meanwhile, are regional, service-based businesses like plumbing. If you are stuck between two ideas and not deeply interested in either, Andrew advises choosing the one with the best chance of a successful exit. 

Digital Service Providers (DSPs) estimate that 10% of their streams are fraudulent. Beatdapp uses state-of-the-art technology, enriched data, dedicated analytical tools, and a team of data scientists, engineers, and analysts to empower DSPs to catch an increased amount of fraud efficiently. Andrew says Beatdapp, where he is the Founder and CEO, has a fraud detection tool that took years and hundreds of machine learning models to identify. He notes that it errs on the side of caution to “make sure that everything we call fraud is absolutely fraud.”

Learn more: Andrew Batey on LinkedIn, Beatdapp

Jordan Parkes, Angelo

For anyone on an entrepreneurial journey, the most essential thing that you're going to need is a strong network, according to Jordan Parkes, the Founder of Angelo and a three-time entrepreneur. He says there's no way that you're going to be able to find out all the answers on your own, and, having learned through experience, he has built an unpaid “advisory board” made up of clients and other connections. “It's been invaluable just coming to them for advice,” said Jordan.

Angelo is a go-to online location where online art investors can add timeless assets to their portfolios. The platform is the first of its kind. To develop and maintain it, Jordan says one of his favorite tools is a task management system called Notion because it integrates with just about damn anything. If you have a program or there's another workflow stack, Jordan raves that it incorporates and has ChatGPT built into it. “So, if you're coding an application,” said Jordan, “or if you're just doing project management, it's awesome.”

Learn more: Jordan Parkes on LinkedIn, Angelo

An Nguyen, ztudium

When it comes to digital transformation, marketing, operations, and community management, An Nguyen is an experienced pro. As vice president of operations at ztudium, she knows how difficult it can be to break into the art industry. To anyone looking to do so, An’s recommendation is to have some stability first—she emphasizes that her point of view is shaped largely from an economic standpoint—and then let your creativity shine.

ztudium is a technology, big data, and business intelligence digital network for finance, markets, and business focused on innovation and social media DNA. In terms of the metaverse, An says ztudium is working on digital trends. “We're building buildings,” An said. “We're building cities for countries.”

Learn more: An Nguyen on LinkedIn, ztudium

Clay Hawkins, Open Music Exchange

Clay Hawkins, Founder and CEO of Open Music Exchange, advises aspiring entrepreneurs in the creative industry to focus on developing compelling and scalable ideas that can benefit a broader audience. He believes that startups can ensure they have the potential to grow and attract support but aim to address significant problems or needs. Drawing from his experience as a musician, Clay highlights the importance of perseverance and passion to succeed in your entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes that combining genuine enthusiasm with a commitment to a vision will position entrepreneurs to weather tough times and find innovative solutions to overcome an often competitive landscape. Ultimately, Clay believes this combination of vision and determination can lead to success in the creative industry and more.

Open Music Exchange (OME) is a next-generation streaming marketplace connecting artists and fans. Artists have control over their music and can earn $OME tokens from sales, while fans can buy, trade, and stream NFTs without a monthly fee. OME's participate-to-earn model rewards users with $OME utility tokens, enhancing their platform experience. The OME token fuels interactions between artists and fans while supporting charitable causes. OME empowers artists and fans to thrive together in a revolutionary music ecosystem.

Learn more: Clay Hawkins on LinkedIn, Open Music Exchange

Carlos Romero, Ikohaus

Aspiring artists looking to embark on their creative journey can take inspiration from Carlos Romero's insightful advice. Romero emphasizes the importance of self-recognition as an artist, advising individuals to acknowledge their artistic identity based on personal passion and dedication. According to him, true art thrives on genuine creativity, originating from the artist's drive to create something entirely new and original. Regardless of the medium they choose to express themselves, whether traditional art or coding, Romero encourages artists to trust their ideas and see themselves as creators. He acknowledges that inspiration can come from various sources, and artists should embrace their individuality in shaping their artistic endeavors.

Ikohaus Studio is an avant-garde artist collective that delves into music, art, blockchain, photography, and video. As pioneers of the digital frontier, they specialize in creating innovative digital paintings, photo paintings, and portraits. Embodying the true essence of "advance guard" or "vanguard," Ikohaus Studio's works are experimental and push the boundaries of traditional art, drawing, painting, and photography. Utilizing the computer as a brush, they bring to life multi-dimensional images that offer viewers an unparalleled experience. Breaking from conventional norms, Ikohaus Studio fearlessly explores new dimensions and creates a future where art and technology intertwine in a way never seen before.

Learn more: Carlos Romero on LinkedIn, Ikohaus

Russ Harding, Emergent Entertainment

In the entertainment and creative industries, collaboration with intellectual property (IP) holders can be a gateway to exciting opportunities. Russ Harding, Chief Creative Officer of Emergent Entertainment, offers a valuable piece of advice to aspiring creatives and game developers. He stresses the significance of delving into the heart of an IP, thoroughly understanding its lore, and respecting its essence. By demonstrating a genuine connection with the source material, creators can establish trust with the IP holders, leading to fruitful and successful collaborations. This approach not only fosters a profound appreciation for the original content but also paves the way for innovative and captivating experiences that resonate with fans and newcomers alike. As the creative landscape continues to evolve, keeping this sage advice in mind can be the key to unlocking a world of creative possibilities.

Emergent Entertainment is a prominent metaverse and blockchain games studio with industry experts from PlayStation, Activision, NCsoft, and Pluto Labs. Their hallmark is creating jargon-free, easily accessible games with AAA production values. Offering a dual approach, players can enjoy playing purely for fun or engaging with the NFT element to earn real money. Boasting an experienced team of over 40 individuals, Emergent Entertainment has successfully developed and published numerous titles, attaining a profound understanding of the elements that constitute exceptional games. Driven by a mission to be a trailblazer in web3 gaming, Emergent Entertainment aims to be a leading force for positive change in the industry.

Learn more: Russ Harding on LinkedIn, Emergent Entertainment

Alex Kane, Volta

When venturing into entrepreneurship, it's crucial to have a clear vision for your company's direction. Alex Kane, CEO of Volta, emphasizes the importance of understanding the type of business you want to build from the outset. Whether it's a lifestyle company or a scalable product that requires external funding, knowing your goals will shape your decisions. Alex also advises aspiring entrepreneurs to understand the pressures and challenges of building a scalable product, including managing limited resources and time. Embracing Lean Startup principles, such as rapid experimentation and customer feedback, can help entrepreneurs stay committed to their core value proposition. Moreover, he cautions against chasing shiny opportunities that may distract from the long-term objectives of the business. By learning from others' experiences and making well-informed decisions, entrepreneurs can navigate the startup journey more effectively and increase their chances of success.

Volta is a revolutionary free desktop application designed to enhance live performances on Twitch for musicians, DJs, and creators. Using advanced 3D technology, Volta provides an immersive experience, allowing artists and fans to interact in virtual venues in real time. Through the Volta Twitch Extension, artists can engage their audience by granting control over interactive features. If you're a musician, DJ, or content creator looking to elevate your performances with 3D audio-reactive experiences, Volta offers a platform tailored to your needs. Experience the power of Volta and captivate your audience in unique and engaging ways.

Learn more: Alex Kane on LinkedIn, Volta

Victoria Abiodun, Blockchain Technical Writer

Victoria Abiodun, a blockchain enthusiast and content creator, stressed the importance of blockchain's immutability, where once data is recorded, it cannot be deleted or modified without consensus from the network. She highlighted how blockchain technology is about decentralizing power, increasing transparency, and ensuring that all participants have a voice, making it a pivotal tool for transforming various industries beyond finance.

With her deep understanding of blockchain and passion for making it understandable to the masses, Victoria has forged a career in the blockchain space. She began as a writer, creating content for blockchain projects and learning through research. Over time, she transitioned into blockchain development, continuously expanding her knowledge. Today, Victoria focuses on producing easily digestible content for individuals interested in web3 and blockchain technology, emphasizing clarity and relatability. Her work seeks to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences, making blockchain's potential more accessible to everyone. Victoria's insights and dedication represent the evolving landscape of blockchain and its potential to revolutionize various industries, from NFTs to asset tokenization and beyond.

Learn more: Victoria Abiodun on LinkedIn

Josh Parasar, NXTSCORE

In sports data analysis, Josh Parasar emphasized the importance of using data to understand and improve various aspects of sports performance, such as how teams and players can strategically use specific pitches to their advantage in baseball. Josh discussed how analytics can reveal hidden patterns like the reverse platoon split for curveballs, which allows pitchers to gain an edge by using this pitch early in the count to get called strikes.

Josh is the CEO of NXTSCORE, which focuses on in-game sports prediction and trading. NXTSCORE offers a unique platform where users can trade player props in real time during sports events, enhancing the engagement of sports fans. Furthermore, Josh mentioned that NXTSCORE has filed patents related to integrating authenticated sports streams into sports betting apps, highlighting their innovative approach to in-game sports betting. The company's forward-looking strategy aims to leverage technology and data to create a faster, more accurate, and more engaging sports betting experience for users while exploring opportunities in the competitive sports technology landscape.

Learn more: Josh Parasar on LinkedIn, NXTSCORE

Jonas Rosbech, Cathedral Studios

Jonas Rosbech emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanics behind digital platforms to maximize their potential. With experience in different entrepreneurial ventures, Jonas highlighted the need to dig deep into platforms like Steam, TikTok, and YouTube. By spending time understanding algorithms, data collection methods, and user engagement strategies, he devised a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for his ventures. Moreover, Jonas highly recommends YouTube as a significant learning tool. He mentioned that a plethora of information is available on YouTube, which can guide individuals on various algorithms and how to utilize them efficiently. For Jonas, the ability to scale the learning curve is possible by watching content at a sped-up rate, a tactic he has employed to digest vast amounts of information swiftly.

Currently Head of Marketing for Cathedral Studios, Jonas’ journey through the digital realm is nothing short of impressive. From creating his marketing agency to the inception of Gamers' Class, one of Denmark's fastest-growing esports companies, Jonas has consistently innovated and adapted. His venture, Gamers' Class, caught the eye of many and was acquired by Metafy. Not one to rest on his laurels, Jonas then dived into the world of investment and advisory roles for both global and Danish venture capitalists. His commitment to understanding platform intricacies led his latest venture to gain significant traction, with numbers surpassing expectations in just a few weeks.

Learn more: Jonas Rosbech on LinkedIn, Cathedral Studios

Chris Bodenmiller, Art Areas

Drawing from his early experiences with an online art brokerage, Chris Bodenmiller emphasizes the importance of anticipating change and being prepared for it. Chris shared significant advice for young entrepreneurs entering industries ripe with innovation: always be equipped for the wave of excitement about new technology to crash and have a strategy to navigate beyond the disillusionment. His perspective highlights the cyclical nature of tech adoption and underscores the importance of resilience in the face of skepticism.

Chris is the Owner of Art Areas, a startup that blends the traditional art world with digital innovations, primarily focusing on NFTs and blockchain. His company is exploring the potential of virtual galleries where artists can schedule real-time interactions with art buyers. NFC tags and the Ethereum blockchain play a central role in their operations, aiming to bridge geographical divides and present art in new, engaging formats. By partnering with a diverse team, each bringing their unique skill sets to the table, Chris underscores the power of collaboration in navigating the ever-evolving digital frontier.

Learn more: Chris Bodenmiller on LinkedIn, Art Areas

Lewis Donovan, SonX

Lewis Donovan has unveiled a transformative approach to artist-fan engagement. Recognizing the dedicated segment of an artist's audience — the super fans — Lewis and his Co-founder, Lee, created a platform named SonX. This unique platform is not merely artist-focused but emphasizes the fan perspective. Lewis believes that super fans crave recognition and tangible proof of their loyalty. He drew attention to a common sentiment of pride among super fans: the pride of early discovery. Fans want to show and prove their initial support for an artist. SonX bridges this gap by gamifying fan experiences and offering digital collectibles akin to achievements in video games to validate a fan's dedication. Furthermore, this system benefits artists by allowing them to identify their most loyal fans and reward them appropriately, crafting a more intimate and reciprocal artist-fan relationship.

SonX is the brainchild of Lewis and Lee, both former Sony Music employees. The platform equips artists to monetize their content by presenting exclusive products to their super fans. Its emphasis is on exclusivity; artists are encouraged to ensure that content available on SonX is not replicated on other platforms. Beyond just content, SonX also aids artists with merchandise, from manufacturing to fulfillment. A significant aspect of SonX is its digital collectibles, akin to NFTs, which serve as badges of honor for fans, indicating their levels of engagement and early support. These digital tokens are currently minted on Avalanche, a decision influenced by transaction speeds and environmental considerations. While SonX leverages web3 technology, Lewis stresses that it's an under-the-hood feature. Their primary mission is to enhance the fan-artist relationship, with the technological aspect serving as a means to that end.

Learn more: Lewis Donovan on LinkedIn, SonX

Mackenzie Jackson, Alliance Studios

Mackenzie Jackson’s journey is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of gaming and personal resilience. Her story begins with concealing her passion for gaming due to societal pressures, particularly as a female gamer. However, as she embraced her passion, this changed dramatically, leading her to monumental success in the gaming world. An essential insight from Mackenzie is her encouragement for female gamers to be "loud and proud" about their interests, highlighting the importance of embracing one’s passions regardless of societal norms. This message extends beyond gaming, serving as a motivational reminder for individuals in various fields to pursue their interests with confidence.

Mackenzie’s company, Alliance Studios, is a beacon of innovation and creativity in the gaming industry. Starting with just Mackenzie and her co-founder, the company has grown to a team of 14 within four and a half years, a testament to their hard work and dedication. Alliance Studios has made significant strides in the gaming world, introducing the first branded experience in Fortnite and collaborating with Epic Games on multiple projects. Beyond commercial success, Mackenzie’s vision for the company extends to mentoring others and fostering a supportive and passionate community. Despite facing personal challenges, including a severe health crisis, Mackenzie’s commitment to her work and her team remained unwavering, demonstrating the profound impact of gaming not just as entertainment but as a lifeline and community during her most difficult times.

Learn more: Mackenzie Jackson on LinkedIn, Alliance Studios

Myles Blasonato, Blowfish Studios

Myles Blasonato shared one standout piece of advice from his diverse experience in the gaming industry: understanding both the creative and business sides of game development. He highlighted his journey from starting as a junior to becoming the creative director at Royal Winds, underscoring the significance of learning through experience. Myles stressed that comprehending the financial and economic aspects, such as market research and financial literacy, is crucial for anyone aspiring to make a mark in the gaming industry or entrepreneurship. This holistic understanding of both creative and business elements is essential to success.

Currently, Myles is making notable strides at Blowfish Studios, a web3 game company. Having been acquired by Animoca around 16 months ago, Blowfish Studios is shifting its focus to more internal projects, a significant one being the flagship AAA title "Phantom Galaxies." This game uniquely integrates NFTs and blockchain technology while maintaining a game-first approach. Myles emphasized ensuring the game's quality before adding any blockchain elements. Beyond this, Myles hinted at working on several internal projects that explore the theme of entrepreneurship, aiming to weave intricate narratives and possibly incorporate NFTs to enhance the gaming experience. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to innovation make Blowfish Studios a company to watch in the evolving landscape of web3 gaming.

Learn more: Myles Blasonato on LinkedIn, Blowfish Studios

Jeff Athey, Metropolis World

Jeff Athey shed light on the challenges of navigating the constantly changing and evolving field of social media marketing. As a creative producer and writer for Metropolis, Jeff emphasized the importance of authenticity in content creation. He shared insights into the unpredictable nature of viral content, highlighting that sometimes, the most random and unpolished material can resonate the most with audiences. Jeff's advice echoes the sentiment that the relatability of content often trumps polished aesthetics, especially in the dynamic realm of internet culture.

Metropolis World, spearheaded by Rania Ajami and her brother, has a unique vision of celebrating small artists and fostering online communities through digital art representations of various metropolises. Jeff Athey's role in the company extends beyond his creative prowess; he specializes in gaming and internet culture, contributing to the development and growth of the platform. From writing and producing to managing social media and hosting events, Jeff exemplifies the versatility required to bring Metropolis's projects to life. With the recent launch of a new avatar project, Metropolis continues to engage small and indie artists globally, allowing users to support and connect with creators in a novel and interactive way.

Learn more: Jeff Athey on LinkedIn, Metropolis World