Greatest Hits: Creating Harmony in Creative Work with Joél Leon from New York Times Advertising

Greatest Hits: Creating Harmony in Creative Work with Joél Leon from New York Times Advertising

Author: Convince & Convert August 16, 2024 Duration: 37:51

We take a look back at one of our favorite episodes from last year this week. When Joél Leon, Creative Director, T Brand Studio at New York Times Advertising, joined us in episode 601, he brought plenty of wisdom and some mic drop moments.

Full Episode Details 

If you want your creative team to make magic, then you've got to foster a healthy environment for them to thrive in. As Creative Director, Joél believes there needs to be more "harmony" within the creative process. And part of that is by building the right environment and leadership.

In this episode, we hear Joél's take on what it means to be a great creative director and why it's important to trust your team and give them safe spaces to flourish creatively. Joél takes us through some examples of his favorite campaigns he's worked on and how his team defines success. He explores why it's necessary to practice what you preach, especially when joining conversations about social issues.

In This Episode:

  • 1:39 - Joél explains his role within T Brand Studio
  • 4:54 - How Joél's team works alongside the newsroom and editorial teams
  • 6:35 - Joél shares some details of campaigns his team has worked on
  • 7:51 - How Joél leads his team to deliver the very best content
  • 12:00 - Joél's methods for managing expectations and working with brands
  • 15:07 - How leaders can create a healthy work environment
  • 16:50 - How to protect the interests of your team while keeping clients happy
  • 20:07 - Joél shares some of his favorite campaigns to work on
  • 23:42 - How Joél prefers to think about failure and success
  • 26:45 - Finding a harmony between creativity and social issues
  • 30:50 - Why listening is the most active form of communication
  • 31:20 - Joél announces his publishing deal and book
  • 33:03 - Joél's top tip for those wanting to become a social pro

Resources 

Visit SocialPros.com for more insights from your favorite social media marketers. 


For years, Social Pros Podcast has served as an essential meeting point for those who do the real work in digital marketing. Created by Convince & Convert, this isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a deep dive into the practical realities of managing social media within larger business ecosystems. The conversations here consistently explore how platforms intersect with brand strategy, content creation, public relations, and paid media, moving beyond hype to examine measurable impact. You'll hear directly from the people behind the profiles at major organizations like Google, Reddit, Uber, and Oracle, gaining insight into their successes and the challenges they navigate daily. The longevity of this podcast is a testament to its value, offering a accumulated wealth of knowledge from hundreds of candid interviews and expert commentaries. Each episode functions like a focused case study, breaking down the "how" and "why" behind decisions that drive genuine business results. If you're looking to understand the evolving role of social media beyond the latest trend, this series provides a grounded, insider perspective that has educated a generation of marketing professionals. Tune in to hear the actual pros discuss the work that rarely makes it into a polished tweet or case study.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Social Pros Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Top 5 Marketing Trends for 2025 Based on Research with Todd Lebo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
How can B2B brands use original research to drive thought leadership and marketing success? Todd Lebo, CEO and Partner of Ascend2, specializes in helping businesses create data-driven content that builds authority and en…
Digging for Gold(en) Social Comments with Matthew McGrory from Arwen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:02
How can brands create safer, more engaging digital spaces while maximizing the impact of their social media efforts? Matthew McGrory, CEO of Arwen AI, shares how AI-driven moderation helps brands protect their communitie…
Leveraging #FOMO to Inspire Action with Tristan Diehl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:26
What are the secrets for managing socials of vastly different properties across the Casino & Hospitality space? Tristan Diehl, Enterprise Director of Social Media at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI), speaks wit…
Creating Magical Moments Through Social at Hilton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:00
How do you take a global hospitality brand and make it feel personal, heartfelt, and human? Dannii Ceniceros, Senior Analyst, Global Social Engagement at Hilton, reveals how his team turn trending moments into magical on…
An Honest Conversation About Authenticity with Ravi Hampole [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:40
What does it take to refresh a global brand like Lululemon? Ravi Hampole, SVP of Global Brand Creative, returns to Social Pros to reveal how the team has been working on a brand new identity for 2025 that connects produc…
How Southwest Airlines Navigate the World of Influencer Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:56
Building a successful influencer program isn't just about campaigns. It's about connections. On this episode of Social Pros, Kara Salazar, Senior Influencer Marketing Specialist at Southwest Airlines, takes us behind the…