As someone whose dream is to break into the creative industry, I am all too familiar with that feeling of complete awe at those who are successful in the industry. How did they do it? What’s their story?

In October, my interest piqued further, beyond the career talks and advice I had found online.

Inspired by a new desire to interview people on my blog, and to help others on their journey into creative industries, I decided to reach out on LinkedIn to ask freelance journalists and writers to be interviewed. I received an influx of responses, with over 2000 views of my initial post requesting people to get in touch.

Since then, I have interviewed several individuals ranging in a whole host of experiences, who have opened the tightly-screwed lid of the creative industry to uncover personal anecdotes, advice and more. Through these interviews, I wanted to dive past the surface-level, generic advice and explore more into the experiences of real-life people in the creative industry. After all, what better way to find out more about the workings of the industry than to ask actual people within it?

Without further ado, I present this week’s interview with Brian Watson – a writer, director, lyricist and author who very kindly offered to be interviewed by myself for this article.

1. Tell us a bit about your background in the creative industry:

I started in the ad industry as a messenger boy, in 1965 (that was how it was done in those days, alongside people who went to Art School). Three years later, I had my ‘Creative Switch’ turned on and created my first ad, aged 19, for Volkswagen.

I moved on as an Art Director to another agency in 1973, where I was hired to work on the launch of British Airways. In the early 80s, I held the position of award-winning Creative Director with a seat on the main board. Then, I started to direct my own scripts in 1992, and in the late 90s, I received a Guinness World Record for creating more TV ads than anyone else in the world. In 2006, I started my own ad agency.

In 2005, I started to write a stage musical “Call Me Diana”, which was showcased in 2019 in London’s West End. Along the way I have written comedy for TV and had a book published in 2011. In 2012, and up until the present day, I own and run Watsontelly Limited, creating and directing TV advertisements, press and posters. All my other writing goes through Watsontelly Limited too. I don’t intend to retire until they screw down the lid!

2. Of course, there is no formulaic secret to breaking into the increasingly competitive creative industry, but what do you think helped you to begin your career?

My interview for the job of Messenger boy at Doyle Dane Bernbach was the catalyst for a wonderful creative career. The system of hiring trainees MUST be reinstated, as there are thousands of kids out there who are not getting the chance to enter professions which they may well be suited to.

3. What is the most important lesson/lessons  you have learned in your career?

Become a cog in the machine, a cog that if it breaks the machine stops! Also, everything is possible. Never give up on an idea as there is always a way to make it work, even if the budget is a problem. Don’t take ‘No’ for an answer.

4. Did you always want to pursue a career in the creative industry? If not, what was the defining moment that made you realise this was the industry for you?

No, I wanted to go into show business. The defining moment for me was when the Creative Director of my first ad agency offered to promote me into the role of Paste-Up Artist. From there, I was surrounded by so many talented people that it began to rub off. I honestly learnt so much, so quickly. Practical work is the best way to achieve your goals.

5. What do you think is the biggest misconception about freelancing?

That you’re an outsider. I’ve worked with freelancers who made sure they fitted in, and the rest of us employees forgot they were freelancers.

6. What are you most proud of in your career? 

There is so much that I’m proud of: winning 14 out of 15 new business pitches in a row; creating campaigns that hit the client’s six month targets in a matter of weeks; being told that I was a genius by one of Fleet Street’s most famous editors, who then said: “If you ever give up advertising there’s a job here for you as a journalist”; writing scripts for five TV ads and filming them back to back in 5 days, and being given a brief by a client at 4:00pm on a Friday afternoon, and getting the filmed ad on air by 7:30pm the same evening.

7. What three pieces of advice would you give to someone who wants to forge a career in the creative industry?

• Never be afraid of starting right at the bottom. If you want to get to the top badly enough, you most probably will.

• Always strive for the ‘BIG IDEA’ – don’t give up on it, you’ll find it when you least expect it.

• Always keep a pad and pencil within reach, creative ideas hit when you least expect them. Many times I’ve soaked the carpet after having an idea in the shower!

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Below you will find a list of agenices that Brian has worked for, as well as a link to a Youtube video of highlights from the showcase of his stage musical, Call Me Diana.

• Doyle Dane Bernbach Ltd: 1965 – 1972.
• McCann Erickson Ltd: 1972 – 1973.
• Foote Cone & Belding Ltd: 1973 – 2006.
• The Law Firm: 2006 – 2010.
• Watsontelly: 2011 – present.