AI: The Great Equalizer of Creativity, But at What Cost?
AI: The Great Equalizer of Creativity, But at What Cost?

In the world of creativity, there has long been an unspoken divide—those who seem naturally gifted with imaginative prowess (like our Ideasicle Experts) and those who struggle to come up with anything original. But with the advent of AI, that gap is starting to close. AI is not just a tool for automation and efficiency; it's now being harnessed to elevate the creative abilities of individuals. A recent study from the University of Exeter reveals just how AI is leveling the playing field.

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CreativityWill BurnsAI, artificial intelligence, creativity, university of exeter
Texas College Students Bring Fresh Perspective To Recent Ideasicle X Project
Texas College Students Bring Fresh Perspective To Recent Ideasicle X Project

We recently took on a project that challenged us in ways we hadn't anticipated. It started with a bold client (a research company) who proposed a unique approach: form three teams composed of both our seasoned Ideasicle Experts and college students from Texas—students who represented the very market we were targeting. Sounded smart, at least on paper. But could students with very little life experience bring something valuable to the table? Um, yeah.

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News & UpdatesWill Burnsstudents, ideas, testimonial
North Leads the Way: Pioneering the Creative Future with IX Embedded Beta Test
North Leads the Way: Pioneering the Creative Future with IX Embedded Beta Test

As you likely know if you follow us at all, we are now in development of a new service we’re calling “IX Embedded.” It moves our existing Ideasicle X virtual idea generating platform organically into an agency’s web environment. I asked Rebecca Armstrong, CEO of Portland, Oregon, agency North, to explain why North has agreed to beta test IX Embedded. Here’s what she had to say.

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News & UpdatesWill Burnsnorth, Rebecca armstrong, beta test
The Perils Of Brands Taking Sides In Highly Charged Social Issues
The Perils Of Brands Taking Sides In Highly Charged Social Issues

I was interviewed this week by Fox News Digital about the effects of brands going “woke” in their advertising. Since my Forbes Contributor days I’ve written about the perils of brands taking sides in highly charged political issues. Because once a company takes a side—either side, mind you— the company alienates its brand to the same degree the issue is polarized.

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CommentaryWill Burnsfox news, woke, branding
Creativity As Currency: Transforming Agency Talent Into New Revenue Streams
Creativity As Currency: Transforming Agency Talent Into New Revenue Streams

I talk to agency execs all the time. It’s tough out there. They’re facing a dual challenge: staying creatively competitive while also finding new revenue streams to sustain and grow their businesses. We are developing a new form factor for Ideasicle X that will not only improve an agency’s creative output, in general, it will help optimize existing creative resources while generating new revenue streams.

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News & UpdatesWill Burnscreativity, advertising agency, revenue
In-House Agencies And The Rise Of The New AOR: "Angel Of Record"
In-House Agencies And The Rise Of The New AOR: "Angel Of Record"

The recent news of Liberty Mutual hiring Bandits & Friends, a small 15-person agency in New York City, as their lead creative partner marks a significant shift in the advertising industry. This move away from larger, established agencies signals a broader trend: the rise of robust in-house agencies on one hand and the evolving scope of the “Agency of Record.” Is that even the right name for these agency/client relationships anymore? More on that in a minute.

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CommentaryWill Burnsliberty mutual, bandits & friends, AOR, agency of record, Goodby
Ideasicle Expert Profile: Mike Labella, Founder Of Uncovr Media
Ideasicle Expert Profile: Mike Labella, Founder Of Uncovr Media

You may not know this, but not all of the Ideasicle Experts are creatives. We have PR people, planners, retail experts, and media people, all at the ready to bring their respective perspectives to any given idea project. One of our media experts is Mike Labella. I have always found Mike to be one of the most creative media people in the business. I asked him if he’d like to be featured on the blog and, after he sent me his story, I now know why he’s so creative.

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Expert ProfilesWill Burnsmike labella, uncovr media, media
Legend Series: Beck, Sir Ken Robinson, and David Lubars On The Ideasicle Podcast
Legend Series: Beck, Sir Ken Robinson, and David Lubars On The Ideasicle Podcast

Back when I started Ideasicle in 2010, I launched an audio podcast called the “Ideasicle Podcast.” The point of the show was to explore the concept of creativity and I invited all kinds of experts to provide their points of view. I recorded 37 episodes over a couple years and really enjoyed it. Today, I’m bringing back three of my favorite episodes: Beck, Sir Ken Robinson, and David Lubars. They are not only my favorites, they are evergreen in their content.

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CreativityWill BurnsDavid Lubars, Sir Ken Robinson, Beck, Song Reader
Idea We Wish We Thought Of: Staples Launders Amazon Returns
Idea We Wish We Thought Of: Staples Launders Amazon Returns

Imagine Godzilla and King Kong opened a lemonade stand together. That’s how I perceive this agreement between retail enemies, Staples and Amazon. At first, you hear the idea and you’re like, okay whatever, Staples is accepting returns from Amazon orders. Who cares? But dig into the details and one can see how brilliant this move is for Staples. It’s an idea Sun Tzu (“Art of War”) would be proud of. Let’s break it down.

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CommentaryWill Burnsstaples, amazon, returns, idea
It's Time To Prepare Your Brand For A Down Economy. Here's How.
It's Time To Prepare Your Brand For A Down Economy. Here's How.

While the stock market has been on fire this year, economists warn that stock-market performance is not how we assess the overall health of the economy. And it turns out other key economic indicators are pointing to a downturns. In fact, the agencies and clients I speak with regularly tell me they are already starting to feel the economy weaken. Less advertising business for agencies and freelancers because their clients are understandably getting more nervous every day.

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Use CasesWill Burnseconomy, downturn, marketing, advertising
Not Sure What To Do? Ask Your Brand.
Not Sure What To Do? Ask Your Brand.

Sounds sorta nuts, right? To ask something as abstract and ill-defined as a “brand” a question? Preposterous, really. But perhaps it’s only preposterous because your brand is too abstract and ill-defined. When a brand idea is formed and articulated powerfully and clearly, then it becomes easy for every employee, regardless of their role, to channel that brand idea into everything they do. Here’s what I mean and why it matters.

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Use CasesWill Burnsbranding, channel, brand
Three Common Phrases That Are Crushing Human Creativity
Three Common Phrases That Are Crushing Human Creativity

Language is powerful. It’s the fabric of our thoughts. It’s how we transfer thoughts from one person to another. It’s used to generate movements, inspire emotion, record history, establish and reinforce culture. Yet, some language can also entrap us, even enslave us if we let it. Particularly when a phrase is repeated so often it becomes common knowledge and is no longer questioned. Below are three such phrases we hear so frequently that through repetition have become “conventional wisdom,” but I believe, sadly, also crush our motivation to remain curious.

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CreativityWill Burnsscience is settled, just your imagination, placebo effect, creativity
CMO Stephanie Greene, AirSculpt, And The Benefit Of Cascading Idea Projects
CMO Stephanie Greene, AirSculpt, And The Benefit Of Cascading Idea Projects

Stephanie Greene, or Steph as I now call her, is the Chief Marketing Officer of an innovative body sculpting company called AirSculpt. She’s an ideal client for Ideasicle X because she wanted big-time creative thinking, but didn’t have a big-time budget. Which is exactly what we provide, enabled by our 100% virtual model with access to 40+ creative super friends. Specifically, she wanted to rebuild her brand from the ground up. And quickly.

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Use CasesWill BurnsStephanie greene, Ethan lindley, airsculpt, branding, ideas
From Vacuuming To Ice Plunges: How These 13 Creative Experts Get Into The Mood
From Vacuuming To Ice Plunges: How These 13 Creative Experts Get Into The Mood

As you may know, I enjoy studying creativity. The importance of it, the psychology of it, the ways to improve it. I have a whole page on this company’s site devoted to scientific studies around improving our creativity (view that here). So as part of this study I wanted to ask real people whose creativity is their professional product. What their hints, secrets, and rituals were when it comes to creativity. And who better to ask than my own Ideasicle Experts? The question I posed to them: “How do you create?” We got some surprising, funny, and insightful answers.

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Creativity, Expert ProfilesWill Burnscreativity, tips, secrets, rituals
Mike Hayward From Copacino Fujikado Has Some Advice For New Ideasicle X Subscribers

I met Copacino & Fujikado’s Executive Creative Director, Mike Hayward, in 2015 when I spoke at a MAGNET conference. In January, Mike subscribed and tried his first Ideasicle X project. While he can’t share the client or details about the assignment, Mike was kind enough to share quite a bit about his experience and even provide advice to future Ideasicle customers. Take it away, Mike.

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Use CasesWill Burnscopacino, fujikado, mike hayward, testimonial