Angus and Alana’s Creative LIAisons Diary #2: Chasing Ideas, Not Titles + Final Carpet Critiques

BMF creatives Angus Whalan and Alana Koutoulas are representing Australia at the 2024 LIA Creative LIAisons program in Las Vegas, featuring some of the world’s most respected creative directors as speakers. Here, Angus and Alana wrap up their final days exclusively for CB.

Thirty inspiring talks, one f**kery workshop, and a shameful amount of overly priced beers later.

That’s a wrap on LIA and we’re not sad about it, we’re devastated.

In our last few days we attended the LIAs dinner and networking party, and in the tradition of Vegas, we shan’t go into further detail. We sat around a panel of legends as they discussed what work deserved shiny things, and we ate the last of some really good catering – thanks LIA.

What we learnt in our final days:
• Liz Taylor explained that finding joy in your role is far more rewarding than simply chasing titles.
• The ideas that excite CCOs the most are the ones that haunt them.
• John Mescall explained that crazy ideas have to come with a why.
• We could write a whole article about Susan Credle’s speech, but we’ll say that being generous and uplifting at all levels of seniority, will encourage everyone to do better and in turn, make us all do better.
• She also said that no one should be in a rush to reach the top. If you don’t have the highs and lows of a winding career, being at the top will feel empty

Now for our last Carpet of the Day. And it’s a doozy. Behold: the Treasure Island casino floor. While it’s undeniable that they’ve doubled down on the theme here, the unnerving shades of brown have given us a newfound appreciation for closed toe footwear. 2/10.

But we do have an honourable mention – the Beethoven 1 function room that we’ve been listening and learning in all week.

This rich tapestry of fractals, flowers and fans has provided a deeply contemplative texture to gaze into as we’ve pondered creativity, connected with other Liaisons, and daydreamed about the catering.

Thanks for having us LIAs. It’s been bonkers.