On My Radar: Jack Newman

What the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently?

I really like the concept and execution of David Wilson’s series of films for Facebook, Good Ideas Deserve to be Found, with Droga5 and MPC. I love the mixed styles, the script and how it all comes together. But, most important for me, it speaks to the spirit of everyone who strives to be more creative. The message is laser guided accuracy and executed brilliantly. Feels very timely.

What website(s) do you use most regularly?

Broadcast, for TV industry news, and The Modern House for architecture porn and dream house pining.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?

My partner and I call it a dildo, but it’s not, it’s one of those muscle vibrating guns called a Physion. It’s now just become 'the dildo' in our daily vocabulary, and when I have gone to the gym or had a run. I always say I need the dildo to knock my muscles back into shape. Now that lockdown is easing we really need to stop using that word. It really is a muscle vibrating gun, and it really is good... and its only used for our tired muscles, at least in our house it is.

What product could you not live without?

The dildo.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

My Octopus Teacher, which recently won the Oscar and the Bafta for best documentary. A simple love story between man and octopus in the beautiful waters around Cape Town pulls at the heart string. Real life escapism in such a busy world.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

The Third Man. A must-see British and cinematography classic. I have been obsessed with it since school. A black and white, film noir which is set in war time Vienna. The beautiful lighting and chase scenes I could just keep watching again and again.

What’s your preferred social media platform?

Instagram. We work in a visual word and connect through photography for work, fun and keeping in touch. I also can’t stop looking at food and dog profiles.

What’s your favourite TV show?

Recently, Your Honour on Sky Atlantic. Amazing writing, beautiful cinematography and Brian Cranston is superb. I have also always loved The Wire and have been having some warm, lockdown nostalgia watching Michael Palin’s travel shows. I grew up watching them, he inspired me to travel and now can’t wait to get travelling again. 

What’s your favourite podcast?

Newscast, from the BBC, for a fun and light relief from Brexit and Covid. And Grounded with Louis Theroux, because Louis and his guests are just so great.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

As gallery and live events have not been happening, I have been turning online and there have been some fantastic gigs, shows and events. I have loved having a drink, dance and watching on our projector the live DJ sets from Bicep, SG Lewis and Kylie along with Sophie Ellis Bextor's kitchen disco. When I am feeling a bit more highbrow, live theatre from the National Theatres archive. I've seen some really great plays that I didn’t manage to get tickets to when they were in the theatre. Oh, and then there is the restaurants-at-home trend. We have got through a lot over the lockdown and one of our favourites has been East London’s Pidgin, followed by Willy’s Pies and Mystic Borek… think we might miss them as the world comes out of lockdown.

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?

Having to be more agile and adaptable to an ever-changing world, not just now, because of Covid, but in the last few years. The rise of branded and sponsored content, in-house production companies and working direct with clients means you need to be flexible. If you can be more flexible, there can be more opportunities. We have learned a lot of new ways of working over the past few year and I think that puts Bullion in a unique place. Whether that’s coming onboard as a production partner before its pitched to client, helping with creative and writing scripts, or having the knowledge of how to create long form TV and making it advertising friendly has given us plenty of opportunities which only seems to be growing.  

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

Hierarchy. Yes, there has to be some hierarchy in a team, with experience and wisdom leading the way, but everyone is working to step up the ladder. Treat everyone how you would like to be treated; the person making your coffee today, may be your boss tomorrow. We all know the old saying; ‘be careful how you treat people on the way up, you meet them on the way back down'. It should be the golden rule of our industry.