In this episode, our guest is the former Managing Director of advertising powerhouse Saatchi & Saatchi, Mike Hutcheson.

Mike’s advertising career started in the “Mad Men” era and continues to this day. He was one of the founders of Colenso BBDO and subsequently led his own firm Hutcheson Knowles Marinkovich.

He’s also a perpetual entrepreneur having founded businesses in home building, real estate, organic fair trade tea and coffee and a Waiheke Island vineyard.

But it is advertising land that is nearest his heart. Hutch talks about the best ads from his era and chats about the creativity like most people discuss the day’s events. He’s incredibly well informed and extremely passionate, a combination that is informative and entertaining to listen to.

Listen to him speak to Bruce Cotterill about the importance of creativity, the lack of critical thinking in our young people and the egos and agendas of politicians.

And he discusses the importance of reading. No matter what your career choice, reading a wide range of material provides a level of perspective from which you can variously create, compete and communicate.

And we learn about the Guinness world rocking chair record. Who would have thought there was such a thing.

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