A 3 Minute Sizzle with: Tom Wittlin from Folk
We grab 3 minutes with Tom Wittlin, Creative Director at . You can grill Tom in your own 3 Minute Sizzle at Meetdraw 29 on Thursday 10 March. .
In 140 characters or less, tell us what your agency does.
Work with brands to develop and build their origin story. Then we help them demonstrate that creatively through digital.
Tell us what you do at the agency.
Creatively direct the stories from a visual perspective, and work with our strategy director to develop the stories in the first place.
Describe your company culture, flavour or important values.
We’ve spent a lot of time working on this. Most notably the introduction of a teal environment which is largely non-hierarchical, we believe in the importance of everyone having and sharing their ideas.
What qualities do you look for when hiring new people?
First and foremost, do they fit in. It’s hard to describe a person who ‘fits’, its a feeling. They have to be reasonably comfortable in their own skin.
What’s your favourite book / movie / album?
Now we’re talking…
Book; probably The Art of Possibility, but the current read tends to be the favourite. Currently it’s Flow by a guy who’s name I can’t pronounce.
Movie; The Revenant. (believe the hype)
Album; Again, depends on what I’m listening to, Shadow’s Endtroducing is timeless, loving Kanye’s new record. Burial’s debut was incredible.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
Rule Number 6: Don’t take yourself too seriously.
And the worst?
Learn Flash.
What was your first job (obviously with a creative context, we’re not too interested in paper rounds and bar work!)?
Junior designer with an agency in Sturminster redesigning Thomas Cook.com in 2000.
How did you get that first job?
Quit my accountancy job (yeah I know!) and spent 2 months learning about web design with an agency in the USA. Came home and hounded a LOT of agencies for a job. Eventually one said ‘yes’.
Aside from Meetdraw(!), what’s the best way to introduce oneself to your agency (which person / media channel / format)?
Depending on what it is you want to do; entertain us. Do something that proves you can do what you can do. Actions speak louder than words. And show who YOU are, thats more important than what you do.
Bournemouth seems to be a hotbed of creative digital talent at the moment, why do you think that is?
You know, the sea is a generator of negative ions, which can have a profound effect on mood and mood directly effects your ability to be creative. Trees too exert a certain amount of energy that is also absorbed by us. I really believe if you’re surrounded by nature as opposed to concrete, you’re in a better place mentally.
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