CB Hot Suit Takes: Jack White, Co-Founder, Sunday Gravy
CB Hot Suit Takes is our new Q&A series for extremely busy CEOs and senior leaders across the industry ~ covering careers, creativity, challenges and the song that sums it all up. Next in the hot seat is Jack White, Co-Founder, Sunday Gravy.
1. What made you get into advertising?
When I was a kid, I faked sick days with my brother so we could hang around our Dad’s ad agency in the ’90s. It was called Thompson White & Partners. Corporate name on the front of the building but it was anything but inside. It was once described in the press as Luna Park, which says a lot about why I followed my dad into this industry.
But why I got into the advertising industry was because it was sold to me as a place where creativity was at the centre of the business, mad ideas were encouraged and having fun was part of the job.
2. Which piece of work are you most proud of, and why?
Ten years ago, after I resigned from Clemenger BBDO to go out alone, Ant, Macca (jnr) from Taboo and I made a campaign to save the Tatura Pub, along with my old business partner Coxy and Drew and Chas from Betty Wants In.
Ant wrote it from New York. I directed it. Macca managed the client relationship (the publican, Bugs) and the budget, which was beer and Parma’s.
Looking back now, it was the first thing Ant and I did together. We spent our own money to make it. We saved a pub. It became the first spark that lit Sunday Gravy.
3. What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role right now?
The main role I’m playing now is being a dad to my two young kids and a partner to my wife. The challenge has been sitting still. Not jumping onto the next idea or getting carried away by new opportunities. Not trying to prove myself. To who, I don’t know.
Learning to be patient. To be present. And re-learning that playing hide and seek is a bloody good way to spend a Thursday afternoon.
4. What’s the most recent thing you’ve learned – professionally or personally?
I’ve spent my career chasing the next thing. Next idea. Next hire. Next client. Next launch. I thought if I pulled off enough wins, I’d unlock some special new level of life or finally arrive somewhere.
From my experience, you never arrive. The target just keeps moving. The ladder I was climbing was leaning against thin air. I’m learning that my work isn’t a life purpose.
5. What song best sums up your career so far?
“Once in a Lifetime” by Talking Heads.
“And you may ask yourself, well… How did I get here?”