The Fire Starter and the Brand Steward

Abstract

<h3>ABSTRACT</h3> This article seeks to uncover the complexities of the creative director9s leadership role in advertising agencies. The authors based their work on data received from six agencies and 43 interviews conducted at those participating agencies. Findings suggest successful creative directors combine expertise in creativity, strategy, and interpersonal communication to motivate and mentor co-workers, oversee brand identities, serve as liaisons between creative people and other agency departments and clients, and shape the creative vision of the agency.