Microsoft x Bob Bejan: Allowing Greatness to Shine in Times of Adversity

Few professionals experience career highs and lows as drastic as creatives who put their heart and soul into their work. Fortunately, Bob Bejan, Microsoft’s Corporate VP of Global Events, Production Studios & Marketing Community, has had a lot of highs — from turning the Ninja Turtles into rock stars (his voice may sound familiar to you) to signing a 5-picture interactive movie deal with Sony (a concept well before its time). Yet despite these impressive accomplishments, Bob firmly believes the quality that defines creative success is the ability to choose excellence in times of adversity. In this episode of the podcast, Bob shares his experience and advice around maintaining your self worth amidst creative criticism, meeting challenges with a positive attitude, and allowing your greatness to shine regardless of mistakes. As Michelangelo would say, cowabunga! Key Takeaways: We discuss what it means to be “human first” at work, and how great leaders effectively balance creativity and business strategy.  Ever wonder what separates creatives from the pack? Bob shares what he believes is the common thread.We learn why experiential marketing has become the “emotional skin” of the Microsoft brand.Bob tells us how his background as a theater major and performer has shaped his philosophies as a creative marketer.Guest Bio: Bob Bejan is the Corporate Vice President of Global Events, Production Studios & Community at Microsoft. He graduated with a degree in theater from University of Pacific and worked as a performer for several years before penning his own musical and writing 150+ jingles for some of today’s leading brands. Bob is responsible for not only transforming the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into a rock band, but also serving as the voice of Michelangelo throughout the “Coming Out of Their Shells” tour. After founding interactive motion picture company Interfilm and selling several pictures to Sony, Bob was hired by Warner Bros. to help found Warner Bro’s Interactive and launch the company’s online presence. He then turned his attention and creative talent to the tech industry when he joined Microsoft as its General Manager in 1996. Bob spent twelve years in the agency business, during which time he served as CEO for Publicis Experiential for nearly a decade, before returning to Microsoft in 2014 and again in 2016. Today he is responsible for managing and creating all the brand’s experiential marketing, including overseeing the production of more than 1200 hours of television programming each month via the Microsoft studio.