Iris

Summerween is here — and it’s more than just a quirky internet moment 👻. In our latest Meaty Insight, Social Director Danielle Dullaghan  unpacks how Halloween has crept into July, what that says about culture today, and why brands should be paying attention. From jack-o’-melons to pumpkin mugs in Wilko, this isn’t seasonal creep — it’s cultural adoption. Tap into the escapism, the nostalgia, and the commercial opportunity 🎃. Read the full insight below: #CulturalInsight #HalloweenMarketing #Summerween #IrisWorldwide #MeatyInsight #BrandStrategy #SocialTrends

🐗 4 unhinged Questions with Alexandre Abrantes, who hates Arial 🥴 We cornered our new NA Chief Creative Officer, Alex Abrantes, and asked him 4 questions. The answers? Bold, borderline unhinged, and deeply anti-Arial. 1. What’s a piece of work (yours or someone else’s) that lives rent-free in your brain — and why? “Caption With Intention” for The Academy + Rakish. It shows the power of an idea and how it can make a difference for millions of people. Understanding that accessibility isn’t just something we should do, but also something that drives business, can change our industry. Such a simple idea that makes a true impact in the world. 2. What’s the most unhinged creative idea you’ve ever had… that actually got made? McEnroe vs McEnroe. A tennis match between John McEnroe and… digital twin John McEnroe. At one point someone asked him, “You realise the ball has to cross the court, right?” It got killed a few times, but it took a lot of people who didn’t take no for an answer to figure out not if, but how. 3. If your creative style were a cocktail? A Caipirinha. No single way to make it. Messy. Flexible. Add your own twist. Exactly how creativity should be. Throw in the lime, see what happens. 4. What’s your biggest creative ick? Not a brief thing. A font thing. Arial. If you send him a deck in Arial and you’re an art director… game over. 👀 Stay tuned. Alex is only just getting started. #FridayBoar #NewEnergy #CreativeUnhinged #ArialsCancelled

From big risks to big wins—Jill Smith’s story is one worth hearing. Our CEO of Iris Americas, Jill Smith, recently joined You’ll Get There with Madeline Mulvey to share the real, raw journey behind her career—complete with hard pivots, honest doubts, and the resilience it took to rise through the industry. This isn’t your typical highlight reel. It’s a masterclass in leading with humanity, building creative cultures that actually work, and staying true to your values in the face of pressure. 🎧 Give it a listen at the link in the first comment. #Leadership #Marketing #CreativeCulture #YoullGetThere #IrisWorldwide Ian Millner Menno Kluin Alexandre Abrantes Eduardo Maruri Elizabeth Hall Leigh Armstrong Dipti Bramhandkar Lindsay Munson Elisha Pearce Naima Hassan Anna Beatty Phoebe Alvarez

Powerful leaders have a vision for the future and the relentless drive to work that vision into existence. Jill Smith is a perfect example. Check out this podcast interview with the sharp, curious, thoughtful Madeline Mulvey. It’ll be the best 32 minutes of your day. I’ve always been so impressed by Jill’s drive — and the work she puts in to be a successful CEO, a wonderful mom, and a mentor to me and many others. There’s something inside her that never turns off, like a pilot light of motivation, fueling her to accomplish amazing things and get the most out of each day. It’s baffling (even frustrating!) to see firsthand how much she gets done — it makes mere mortals like me wonder how she does it all. I’ve known Jill for years, but Maddie’s insightful questions in this podcast revealed new stories and lessons even I didn’t know about what makes Jill such a uniquely strong person and leader. Thanks to Maddie for the interview and a special thanks to Jill for being vulnerable and open to helping others learn from her experiences and point of view. Check out the Spotify link in the first comment!

📢 Following the fantastic reception for "Build Up," we're excited to unveil the next chapter in our "Unmissable Moments" campaign for the revolutionary Galaxy Z Fold7! 📢 Introducing "Memory Lane," our second film that beautifully illustrates how the Galaxy Z Fold7’s expansive screen brings your most cherished memories to life, making every moment truly unmissable. "Memory Lane" tells a heartwarming story of connection and nostalgia, as a father and daughter relive a precious moment from 20 years ago, all thanks to the power of the Galaxy Z Fold7’s immersive display. It's about how technology can deepen our human connections and make those significant moments even more impactful, whether you're watching a game or revisiting personal milestones. We believe the Galaxy Z Fold7 marks a new era of smartphone innovation, and this film truly captures how its infinity flex display enhances everyday life with stories that feel relatable and personal. What are your #UnmissableMoments? Share them with us! #Samsung #GalaxyFold7 #UnfoldYourWorld #MobileExperience #NewCampaign #HumanConnection #MemoryLane #EmotionalStorytelling Companies involved: Samsung Electronics UK, Merman, 1920, The Quarry Individuals involved: Menno Kluin, Matt Woolner, Steve Wioland, Rachael Born, Bradley Woodus, Lisa Dickinson-Fox, Annabel Baker, Zak Emerson

APA SHOW JUDGES ANNOUNCEMENT Katy Hopkins will be judging the Branded Online Content Category Entries closing 23rd July - ENTER NOW via the link below https://www.apashow.uk/

✉️ A long-lost postcard just landed on our desk… Not from the beaches of Cannes — but from the frontlines of what really matters in marketing today. Forget the winners, the rosé, and the LinkedIn noise. This quick read cuts through the chaos to ask one simple question: How is your brand showing up in people’s everyday lives? As part of our rebrand at Iris, we’re focussing on what works — and how to get it done. Inside, we explore how brands can: - Make their assets relevant right now - Embrace the messy truth - Stop playing it safe 📬 Takes 3 minutes. Give it a scroll. 📍[Link in comments] — and let us know what you think.

Iris Americas is supercharging its creative leadership with the appointment of Alexandre Abrantes as Chief Creative Officer, North America! Recognized as the world’s top-ranked creative director in both 2023 and 2024 , Alex joins from FCB New York. He is the mind behind the world’s most awarded campaign globally, twice, having led the winning "McEnroe vs McEnroe" and "Dreamcaster" campaigns. His impressive work has earned more than 30 Cannes Lions and 2 Emmy Awards over the past five years. In his new role, Alex will report to CEO Jill Smith and lead the creative teams in New York, Boston, Atlanta, and Toronto , overseeing key accounts including CPK, IHG, Gallo Brands, Bentley, and IKEA. This move is part of a bold global creative charge and a renewed focus on helping brands stand apart in culture through original ideas, creative courage and strategic integration. Welcome, Alex! 📰: Go to the comments to read the full Ad Age #IrisWorldwide #CreativeLeadership #NewHire #Advertising #Marketing #ParticipationOrPerish Alexandre Abrantes Elizabeth Hall Jill Smith Dan Lescarbeau Menno Kluin Eduardo Maruri Zoe Eagle Ian Millner Ben Essen Brian Gartside

The internet just reset. Passive content won’t cut it anymore. Last week, The Drum published a piece by our CEO Jill Smith on what Cloudflare’s new controls mean for marketers, publishers and agencies alike. The message? The old rules of reach and discoverability are breaking down. And content without participation is content at risk. We’re entering a new phase where brands must: 🎯 Structure content for visibility and value 💡 Create distinctive, culture-led IP worth protecting 🤝 Lead with participation, not passive publishing In an AI-first internet, the content that gets seen — and cited — will be the most original, structured, and culturally relevant. At Iris, we’ve always believed in “Participate or Perish”. Participation isn’t just powerful - it’s now essential. The brands that thrive will be those who show up in culture — not just in crawlers. 👉 Read the full article: The web just changed. What now for brands and agencies? (link in the comments) #ContentMarketing #DigitalMarketing #AIandMarketing #ContentStrategy #TheDrum 📸: Adobe Stock

What kind of leadership does the marketing industry need right now?   In a new piece for Creative Salon Worldwide, our Chair and Co-founder Ian Millner reflects on the shifting role of agencies - and why continuity alone isn’t enough to meet the moment.   From AI to in-housing to shortened client tenures, the pressures on the agency model are only increasing. But the opportunity is clear: to break out of the “anxiety death spiral” and build a more compelling, creative, and interconnected vision for what’s next.   Read the full piece below… #MarketingLeadership #FutureOfMarketing #AgencyModel #CreativeStrategy #AIInMarketing #ThoughtLeadership Elizabeth Hall Jill Smith Dan Lescarbeau Menno Kluin Eduardo Maruri Zoe Eagle Ben Essen Brian Gartside Alexandre Abrantes