Full house for Matt Eastwood’s ‘Passion Trumps Talent’ event for AWARD + J. Walter Thompson

Agency creatives battled through one of Sydney’s massive thunder storms this week to attend the first of what AWARD hopes will become regular inter-agency speaker events, exclusive to members.

Aussie expat Matt Eastwood, J. Walter Thompson’s worldwide chief creative officer, brought his “Passion trumps Talent” talk to a large group of creatives spread across J. Walter Thompson, BMF, M&C Saatchi, Clemenger BBDO, BWM Dentsu, TBWA, Richards Rose, Leo Burnett, The Kitchen Table and CHE Proximity.

It was standing room only as attendees spilled out into JWT’s corridors to hear Eastwood talk about what he looks for when hiring creative people and what he believes is the secret that drives many successful artists and business leaders.

Eastwood (pictured left with Wilora Keeley from J. Walter Thompson Perth) believes that: “People who are passionate about something are usually more passionate about everything,” and shared a few examples of J. Walter Thompson employees including Sydney’s ECD Simon Langley. Langley is well known for his F1 motor racing obsession.

The creatives all mingled in JWT’s impressive bar area for drinks and snacks afterwards, and to grab a chance to talk to the very accessible Eastwood who was happy to catch up with several old colleagues from his days running DDB Sydney.

AWARD is interested in planning more of these events so if your agency is planning a visit from your global leadership, please get in touch with Esther Clerehan or the Comms Council.