100 strong MADC crowd answers the call of the wild with SDWM founders at recent MADC event

Melbourne’s ad tribe descended on the Local Taphouse in St Kilda last Wednesday for the latest installment in the MADC Presents series, ‘Surviving the Wild: an incomplete guide to starting an agency’ with SDWM co-founders James Orr and Elle Bullen.

Says Chris Ellis, MADC: “The MADC exists to champion the next generation of advertising thinkers and doers. James, Elle, Jake and Jarrick have ventured into the great unknown. And anyone who starts their own agency in such an unforgiving and unpredictable industry deserves our respect and support.”

With plenty of honest and entertaining advice, Bullen and Orr described the ups and downs, differences and dilemmas they’ve encountered since making the switch from multi-national agencies to their own shop. From discovering that creativity and finance don’t mix, to the thrill of winning their first pitches, and even the ‘outrageous’ and potentially crippling cost of A3 layout pads, their wisdom was both insightful and comedic.

The 100 strong crowd had many questions for the duo who’ve gone from lounge room sweat shop to the deep red of Campaign Brief’s Hot or Not chart in one short year.

The pair entertained for over 90 minutes with a survival guide for navigating the potential pitfalls of private enterprise. They ended with a demonstration of their fiercely competitive nature with a clear battle cry for everyone in the room: “Do NOT start an advertising agency”.

For details on the next MADC event follow the group here:  https://www.facebook.com/MADC1955/.