#539| 100+ Cannes Lions Later: The Truth About Great Advertising | Rick Brim

Rick Brim has won over 100 Cannes Lions and helped shape one of the most iconic creative agencies in the world. He played a key role in building Adam&EveDDB and bringing campaigns like John Lewis’ holiday ads to global attention, turning them into cultural moments that drove real business impact.

In this conversation, he breaks down what actually makes great advertising and why so much of the industry gets it wrong. He talks about the danger of chasing awards, how momentum can transform an agency overnight, and why creativity should be treated as a serious business tool rather than surface-level output.

Rick shares what it was like working on high-pressure campaigns that the public reacts to in real time, how to lead creative teams without pretending to have all the answers, and why vulnerability and curiosity matter more than hierarchy. He also explains why most ads don’t last, what makes certain ideas endure for years, and how the best work often comes from doing what you personally find interesting rather than trying to impress others.

The conversation also covers his decision to launch Ace of Hearts, what he believes the future of agencies looks like, and what advice he would give to anyone trying to break into advertising today.

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