CB Hot Suit Takes: John Marshall, Managing Director & Founder, jnr.
CB Hot Suit Takes is our new Q&A series for extremely busy CEOs and senior leaders across the industry ~ covering careers, creativity, challenges and the song that sums it all up. Next in the hot seat is John Marshall, Managing Director & Founder, jnr.
1. What made you get into advertising?
I actually fell into Advertising. Originally I wanted to be a sports journalist, but realised you don’t get to write what you want to write. Plus, I can’t spell, if you ask my editor Ryan O’Connell.
2. Which piece of work are you most proud of, and why?
I have said this recently, but definitely it has to be our ‘Robe Trip’ campaign for RotoruaNZ. For a few reasons: firstly, it was our very first piece of work here at jnr. and for it to win a Gold Effie and 2 Silvers at the Aotearoa Effie Awards, was just surreal.
Secondly, because of the business and economic impact the campaign has had on the region and the people of Rotorua. Tourism is a big driver of the local economy in Rotorua, and to see the effectiveness of the campaign, and the impact it made on the region and its people, was pretty cool.
3. What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role right now?
At the moment it’s balancing revenue versus scaling, and when to do that. Revenue is key to bringing on more people, but you need more people to bring in more revenue. So, managing that as a start-up agency in its second year is a balancing act, but I see it as a natural progression and a fun challenge, as we start to grow here at jnr.
4. What’s the most recent thing you’ve learned – professionally or personally?
After spending time with my nieces and nephew, I recently read the book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy. There’s a quote in it, when the mole asks the boy “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, and he replies “Kind”.
It reminded me how important it is to be kind in what we do at work, but also outside of it too.
5. What song best sums up your career so far?
Honestly, this was the hardest question to answer, so like all good suits I briefed it out to the Strategy and Creative departments. These was their responses:
jnr. Executive Creative Director & Partner Jenny Mak says: “My instinct is for ‘Golden’ by KPop Demon Hunters, as you’re in your golden era . . . and don’t pretend you only know all the words because your nieces make you listen to it.”
jnr. Chief Strategy Officer & Founder, Ryan O’Connell adds: “I’m never one to miss an opportunity for a Dua Lipa reference, so I’d have to say ‘Levitating’, because you always think you’re above me.”
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