Today, we chat with Matt Johnson - Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Haymaker - the independent, Emmy-winning, full-service advertising agency.

Matt takes us through Haymaker’s origin story: from launching with no clients or office to growing into a respected agency over the past eight years. With a background at industry heavyweights like 180LA and 72andSunny, Matt brings a wealth of experience and insight into what it takes to see ideas through towards proven results.

We discuss standout projects like Pluto TV’s Proud to be a Potato, 23andMe’s Despicable Me crossover: Genetically Me, and the promotion of the digital release for John Wick 2 as one of their first jobs as a new agency. He unpacks how bold ideas, collaboration, and risk-taking played pivotal roles along the way - also sharing the value of failure, stressing the importance of taking a learner’s stance rather than an expert’s stance.

Matt also gives practical examples on how he navigates the rapid pace of agency work, the impact of having supportive partners, and the importance of a collaborative culture that iterates ideas into the best product possible.

Trust us, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Links:

Pluto TV | Proud to be a Potato

23andMe | Genetically Me - with Illumination Entertainment

John Wick 2 | Digital Release

Seattle’s Best Coffee | Smoother Days with Joel McHale

Episode Edited by Jake Petsch
jakepetsch.com | petsch.jake@gmail.com

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From CRY, a Creative, Production, and Post house based in New York City.

Brought to you by CRY www.filmcry.com

Intro mixed by Micheal Hartman - michaelhrtmn4@gmail.com