My Creative Career: Pearls of wisdom from top creatives in 2024

Now in its second year, the series offered a fascinating glimpse into the journeys, philosophies and strategies that have shaped the careers of some of the industry’s most remarkable figures.

These include Highsnobiety’s founder David Fischer, Condé Nast’s global chief revenue officer Pamela Drucker Mann, Turner Duckworth’s Sarah Moffat, Quiet Storm founder Trevor Robinson, VML’s Debbi Vandeven (the most awarded chief creative officer in the world) and Rich Peppiatt, the writer behind one of this year’s most acclaimed indie films, Kneecap.

Whether you’re a creative considering a career in the industry or simply seeking a dose of inspiration for the year ahead, take a moment to scroll through and get inspired.

Debbi Vandeven, global chief creative officer, VML: Vandeven has cemented her place as a trailblazer in advertising, topping the World Creative Rankings list as the most-awarded chief creative officer in the world.

Her career began with a passion for the arts, leading her from the University of Kansas to an impressive rise at VML, where she has become a driving force in the industry. Her advice to young creatives? Be relentless, have thick skin and fight for your ideas.

“The thing is, you chose a field that you’re going to be judged; your work is judged every day. It’s going to be judged by a client; it’s going to be judged by your bosses. You have to have thick skin, but you have to be relentless; you have to fight for your ideas.”

Pamela Drucker Mann, global chief revenue officer, Condé Nast: From her days as an angsty teen journalist sporting flannel shirts and Doc Martens to her rise to the impeccably dressed offices of Vogue, Pamela Drucker Mann shared her journey to the executive ranks of Condé Nast and what it’s really like to work with Anna Wintour.

She described the media giant as the “Magic Kingdom“ of creativity and a place where she’s met some of her forever best friends. And Wintour? “She’s amazing; I love working with her. We have a tremendous partnership and it’s quite amazing as a woman to be able to work with another strong woman who knows what she wants but is ultimately also quite collaborative.”

Trevor Robinson, founder, Quiet Storm: A veteran of the advertising world since the 1990s, Robinson has been at the helm of some of the industry’s most iconic and beloved campaigns, from the groundbreaking Tango ‘Orangeman’ ad, which turned heads and sparked cultural phenomena, to the enduring charm of Haribo’s ‘Kids’ Voices.’

His knack for blending humor, bold storytelling and cultural resonance has not only shaped memorable campaigns but also redefined what creative advertising can achieve.

“You need to be bold,” he said. “You have to take some chances. It sounds a bit profound, but you have to not be afraid to go into the dark and attempt things that might not work. I think the next big thing will be something like that, where people just think, that’s absolutely ridiculous; how have they got away with it?”

Sarah Moffat, chief creative officer, Turner Duckworth: Moffat reflected on a 25-year journey with the renowned design studio, Turner Duckworth, where she has contributed to projects for brands such as Coca-Cola, Amazon, McDonald’s, Campbell’s and the band Metallica.

Her career began with an unconventional upbringing influenced by her inventor father and a formative stint studying graphic design at Kingston University.

Moffat’s breakthrough came when she won a competition judged by Turner Duckworth, leading to an internship and, eventually, a permanent role. She highlights her work on Coca-Cola’s 2008 rebrand, a seven-year effort requiring perseverance and the ability to bridge the gap between creative vision and business objectives. Another career high was working with Metallica on their album Death Magnetic.

On that particular project, she explained: “We were right with them from the beginning. We received a copy of their lyrics early on in a Word document; you just don’t think that James Hetfield sits down and writes them in Word!”

David Fischer, founder and CEO, Highsnobiety: The founder of Highsnobiety developed an early interest in fashion, evolving from a skate aesthetic to streetwear.

While initially aiming for a corporate career, he created a blog in 2005 that grew unexpectedly, becoming a hub for streetwear, design and limited-edition items. The name Highsnobiety came from a book by Toby Young and though it’s often mispronounced, Fischer has never considered changing it.

“Since I wasn’t starting a business, I didn’t think about, like, is it easy to pronounce? Is it global? Is there copyright? None of that,” he said.

The blog’s success led to its transformation into a full-scale business, blending media, agency services and creative campaigns. By 2019, Highsnobiety expanded into clothing design and collaborations, and in 2022, Zalando acquired a stake. As it approaches its 20th anniversary next year, Fischer is planning celebrations in his hometown of Berlin.

Rich Peppiatt, writer and director, Kneecap: Peppiatt’s career has been a journey full of unexpected twists, from his early days in journalism, including his involvement in the Leveson Inquiry to his serendipitous encounter with the Belfast-based hip-hop group Kneecap.

His work with the band culminated in one of this year’s most acclaimed films. Embracing the unpredictable nature of his career, Peppiatt has always thrived on the unexpected, whether it’s challenging the media industry or diving into the world of filmmaking.

“I’ll never make a film like this again; this has been such a kind of a collaborative experience, like a group of friends embarking on this mad idea we came up with a pub five years ago,” he explained. “And seeing it all the way to potentially the Oscars is just a crazy experience.”