The Short Story Is

What does the future of agencies actually look like when creativity, media, and technology fully converge? In this conversation with Amy Thorne, Dentsu Creative US’s Chief Future Officer, we unpack how the role of agencies is evolving beyond campaigns and toward living brand systems. We talk about why the pitch-to-campaign model is breaking down, how AI is reshaping the client–agency relationship, what “greatness” really means in an AI-enabled world, and why burnout, speed, and relevance have become critical measures of success. From redefining big ideas to building future-ready operating systems, this is a candid look at how agencies can deliberately design what comes next – rather than simply react to it.

Has our imagination reached its limits?In the latest episode of The Short Story Is, Chris Bower, Managing Director of Business Transformation Consulting, dentsu APAC, explores how AI is reshaping creativity, and why imagination isn’t fading, but evolving.From rethinking how innovation happens to finding new ways for humans and AI to collaborate, Chris shares how dentsu’s IQ Studio blends human insight, data and technology to fuel creativity and transformation.Because the future doesn’t belong to those who move fastest; it belongs to those who ask better questions. Listen now.

How does a simple mobile game grow into one of the world’s most recognizable entertainment franchises? In this episode, we sit down with Eeva, Head of Brand Operations, and Hanna, VP of Transmedia at Rovio, to explore the evolution of Angry Birds into a global IP that spans films, animation, games, licensing, education platforms, and a remarkable 96% brand awareness worldwide.Eva and Hanna share how Rovio scaled a single game into multiple story universes, what it takes to maintain brand consistency across so many touchpoints, and how a fandom that started 15 years ago continues to grow, diversify, and shape creative decisions today. They discuss the strategic thinking behind partnerships—from entertainment to unexpected categories like insurance—and how cultural translation and non-verbal storytelling make Angry Birds universally understood.We also get into the lighter side of the lore, including the question everyone asks but no one answers: what actually happens to the pigs when they pop?With a new feature film, new games, and continued expansion across platforms, Angry Birds remains a compelling case study in transmedia worldbuilding and long-term brand stewardship. Tune in for a candid, insightful look behind the scenes of a global phenomenon.

In this special Cannes Lions episode of The Short Story Is, we explore what it takes to cut through the noise in the middle of the algorithmic era. Joined by experts from Dentsu and Meta, we unpack why being boring is more expensive than ever, how brands are shifting from interrupting attention to earning it, and why creators are no longer just content machines—but cultural interpreters with real influence.From long-form TikToks to sassy Sour Patch replies, this conversation dives deep into how brands can stay relevant by putting culture at the center, embracing AI + PI (people intelligence), and building long-term creator partnerships. If you're still planning media by reach alone, this one's for you.

How is design evolving in the age of AI - and what does that mean for creative professionals? In this special edition of The Short Story Is, we sit down with Alejandro Chavetta, Executive Creative Director at Adobe, to explore how creativity, technology and identity intersect.Together, we discuss:- The evolving role of the designer in a democratized design landscape- Why giving everyone access to design tools strengthens (not threatens) creative work- How AI is reshaping creative processes without replacing the human touch- The importance of personal creative rituals in staying sharp as a leader& more!Watch Now: https://youtu.be/ZJkyRUkaS0k

What do you get when a nonprofit, a global ad agency, and a top ‪@Roblox‬ dev studio walk into a game? Something completely different — and kind of groundbreaking. In this episode of The Short Story Is, we explore the making of "Love, Your Mind World", a first-of-its-kind Roblox experience that’s not about leveling up or battling bosses, but about helping teens take care of their mental health. We’re joined by three of the driving forces behind this innovative collaboration: - Laurie Keith, VP of Emerging Media & Technology at the Ad Council- Marcus Holmström, CEO of The Gang- Magali Huot, SVP, Global Gaming Strategy at dentsu Together, they unpack how this project flips the script on traditional gameplay — mixing quests, emotional storytelling, and guided meditations from ‪@headspace‬ into a feel-good, do-good digital world. Hit play to hear how it all came together, why it matters, and why the most powerful games might be the ones that don’t feel like games at all.#roblox #gaming #videogames #teen #mentalhealth #technology #innovation

In this episode of The Short Story Is, we sat down with Brent Toning, EVP of dentsu gaming—or, as we like to call him, the "Chief Gamer" at dentsu. Fresh off the release of their State of Gaming 2024 report, we dove into some of the most eye-opening stats and stories it uncovered. From the massive scale of the gaming industry to redefining what it means to be a “gamer” (hint: it’s not just what you think), and what qualifies as gaming, this episode is packed with it all. Whether you're a gaming pro or still wondering why this space matters, there’s something here for you. It’s full of insights that’ll make you rethink how gaming fits into culture, entertainment, and even marketing. #InnovatingtoImpact #dentsu #gaming #gameplay #culture

Join us for the premiere episode of Season 2 of The Short Story, featuring special guests Sayoko Baba and Norio Hayashi, producers at the Business Design Centre of dentsu Japan. In this episode, they dive into the fascinating world of anime, sharing their insights as key figures behind our latest anime collaboration with Chiru Labs for the Azuki project, an innovative NFT platform. Discover how this unique anime was crafted using NFTs from the Azuki community, highlighting the intersection of technology and creativity in the anime industry. Sayo and Norio also discuss the rich roots of anime and its evolving future, exploring the endless possibilities that lie ahead for this beloved medium. Don’t miss out! #InnovatingtoImpact #dentsu #anime #azuki #nft

In this episode of The Short Story Is, we chat with Abbey Klaassen and Phil Gaughran from Dentsu Creative US about the core philosophy driving their brand. Discover how Dentsu Creative's integrated, end-to-end approach is redefining the advertising landscape. Abbey and Phil share their insights on how their innovative strategies foster growth, drive creativity, and enhance collaboration to achieve exceptional results.#marketing #creativity #advertising #BusinessStrategy #AI

"Today, everybody is a Gamer!" Tune in as we sit down with Magali Huot, VP of Global Gaming Strategy at Dentsu! In this new episode of The Short Story Is, we explore the vibrant and fast-paced world of gaming and uncover how brands can enter gaming spaces with purpose, and create meaningful connections with some of the most passionate and loyal fans. #gaming #roblox #games #advertising #agency

In this exciting episode of The Short Story Is, we look into the future of entertainment with Cathy Boxall, Global Head of entertainment, and Geneva Wasserman, Global EVP of Film & TV Development and Financing at dentsu. Together, we explore the emerging trends shaping the entertainment industry, including AI's revolutionizing impact on content creation, innovative strategies for brand engagement, and the power of strong intellectual property (IP) in captivating audiences. Don’t miss out! Tune in to see what's next for Hollywood!#podcast #hollywood #intellectualproperty #netflix #streaming #anime #angrybirds #advertising

In this special episode of The Short Story Is, we're live at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity with the dynamic Gia Peppers. Gia is a journalist, content creator, and the host of the acclaimed podcast More Than That with Gia Peppers, a groundbreaking audio series in partnership with dentsu Good. Join us as we delve into the creation of More Than That, developed in collaboration with One Solution, an award-winning division of Urban One. Gia shares insights into how the series was born from a desire to address inequities in the advertising supply chain and to offer dentsu clients a new consumer engagement model — one that prioritizes meaningful content over intrusive advertising.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Collette Douaihy the Global Chief Creative Officer of dentsu Health and this year’s Jury President for Pharma at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Collette takes us on a journey through the latest trends in the pharmaceutical space and reveals how creativity and innovation are merging in fascinating ways. You'll hear about some groundbreaking initiatives from dentsu, including "Scrolling Therapy," which won last year's Pharma Grand Prix at Cannes. Collette also gives us a sneak peek into what she's most excited about this year and her predictions for the Pharma entries at Cannes. Whether you're in the industry or just curious about how creativity is transforming healthcare, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won't want to miss!

Fandom—what defines it and how can marketers harness it for successful campaigns? Join us as we sit down with Lauren Webb from Dentsu Sports Analytics, the insight and analytics pillar of dentsu's sports division. Together, we'll uncover how dentsu taps into the power of fandom and innovation to build exciting partnerships. Plus, Lauren shares the latest trends and insights from one of the biggest industries out there—sports!

Fred is back, and this time, we're diving headfirst into the world of emerging experiences! From immersive storytelling to wearable gadgets, Fred Breslau from Merkle DACH discusses how dentsu is redefining possibilities in agencies and beyond. Tune in to discover the process of conceptualising and implementing impactful emerging experiences, and explore the dynamic relationship between innovation and client collaboration.

Tune in as we explore the transformative potential of AI on businesses and gain exclusive perspectives from the forefront of technological innovation at dentsu. Featuring our very own Brian Klochkoff, EVP of Innovation & Emerging Technologies, and Kate Slade, Director of Emerging Technology Enablement, we unveil groundbreaking insights into AI implementation within our industry and discover how dentsu's forward-thinking approach as an early adopter of Microsoft's Copilot is reshaping how we work.

Wondering what lies ahead in the advertising landscape for 2024? Join us in the latest episode of "The Short Story Is" series for a thought-provoking discussion with Dan Calladine, Head of Media Futures at dentsu. We delve into the insights from two pivotal dentsu reports— "Media Trends 2024" and "Global Ad Spend Forecast". Together, we reflect on the noteworthy happenings of 2023, delve into the intricacies of capturing audience attention in the era of scarcity, explore media innovations, and forecast the trends that will redefine how brands engage

How can creativity and technology redefine the way artists with different abilities perform? Join us in our latest episode as we delve into the realm of creativity and inclusivity with Naoki Tanaka, Executive Creative Director of Dentsu Lab Tokyo. Explore the inspiring story and technology behind their remarkable project, "All Players Welcome," a tool that empowered two DJs with ALS to perform live on stage, using only the movement of their eyes.

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Thomas Walter, Chief of Services for Merkle Northern Europe. Together, we explore how Merkle strategically employs AI to not only enhance efficiency but also empower their work. Thomas shares valuable insights into Merkle's cutting-edge AI programs, including the revolutionary assistance tool, Gen AI. As well as, shedding light on the challenges, shifts, and trends in AI that are going to define the future of agencies like dentsu.

Have you ever wondered where those seemingly random yet brilliantly creative ideas come from? In this exciting podcast episode, we sit down with Hiromi Saito and Yusaku Wakazono from Dentsu Lab Tokyo to hear the fascinating stories behind their innovative projects and to learn why, within dentsu, where the core product is advertising services, they are creating such groundbreaking tech.

The marketing world is constantly shifting, and understanding these changes is crucial. In this episode, we sit down with Pat McDonald, Chief Strategy Officer at Dentsu Creative, to unravel key insights from their 2023 CMO report, 'Creativity at a Crossroads.'

Welcome to “The Short Story Is" — a new podcast by dentsu! Imagine having the power to control the digital world with nothing but your thoughts. Well, now you can! In our debut episode, we sit down with Fred Breslau, Emerging Experiences Manager at Merkle DACH, to uncover the captivating story behind project DEVENIR — the revolutionary wearable allowing users to control virtual realms with their mind.  The one asking all the cunning questions is our global Digital Marketing Director for Social & Content Irina Sergeeva.