| In Creative Minds, we ask APAC creatives a long list of questions, from serious to silly, and ask them to pick 11 to answer. (Why 11? Just because.) Want to be featured? |
Name: Chris Brunner
Places lived/worked: Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide, Edinburgh, London
Pronouns: He/him
CV:
Head of creative experience, Digitas New Zealand, (2022-present)
Head of content & communications, ZEO, (2020-2022)
Head of content design, Babylon Health, (Feb 2020-Nov 2020)
Head of digital experience, Nuffield Health, (2018-2020)
Senior content producer, Nuffield Health, (2015-2017)
Journalist & editor, Seven Network, (2013-2015)
Website project lead, Radio Adelaide, (2012-2014)
Journalist, producer, presenter, trainer, Radio Adelaide, (2011-2014)
Founder & co-director, South Australian Radio Collective, (2012-2014)
Production Liason, Australian News Channel (Sky News), (Mar 2013-Aug 2013)
1. How did you end up being a creative?
I’ve spent most of my career being a creative without calling myself a creative. After a stint in journalism, I got into digital content in the UK. This was rooted in customer storytelling and produced work across digital channels, including social, web, and app. It was only when I moved agency side and saddled up at Digitas alongside the likes of Saatchi & Saatchi did I start to think of myself as a creative.
2. What's your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?
Back when I was client side I produced and voiced a video for a healthcare organisation in the UK. It was an animation that tried to reduce radiography cancellations by busting radiation myths. It ends with a coffin being lowered into the ground. Very bold for the organisation and the topic.
3. What's your favourite piece of work created by someone else?
I wish I’d been behind the early in-flight safety videos by Air New Zealand. They’re great examples of creativity being used to reinvigorate mundane but necessary content.
4. What kind of student were you?
I was engaged when I wanted to be. Interested in history and social studies but little else at the time. I went on to study journalism and creative communications in my mid-twenties after leaving school early.
5. What career did you think you'd have when you were a kid?
I was keen to make things. I was a prolific LEGO builder and liked to reinvent things from cartoons, like the Technodrome in Ninja Turtles. Some kind of engineer or architect was the idea.
6. Tell us about the worst job you ever had
I was a door-to-door salesman for a short time after leaving school. I went into people’s houses, convincing them to buy alarm systems. It wasn’t so bad, but it was all commission. So if you had a bad week, it was really bad.
7. What advice would you give to 10-year-old you, if you could?
Stop trying to impress everyone. I’d probably give 40-year-old me the same advice.
8. What really motivates you?
I like making people feel things. I’m really passionate about customer work that makes a difference to people’s lives.
9. What would you do on your perfect day?
I’d go to the beach with my wife and kids. Dig holes, teach the young one to swim, and soak up the sun. I hate being stuck indoors.
10. What's your favourite TV show?
I really enjoyed the Ripley series on Netflix. It’s beautifully shot in black and white, moves super slowly and really draws you in.
11. Any regrets?
Not buying property when I was an infant in the 1980s.
