Maverick Studios has truly raised the bar in 2024, earning an impressive twelve Graphic Design Awards from GDUSA’s 61st Annual Design Awards Competition and that’s not all. We’re also proud recipients of a coveted iHAF Creativity Award, further cementing our place among the industry’s innovative and impactful creative teams.

GDUSA Awards Include:

Arby’s $1 Sliders | Social Media
Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Trailers | Surface + Vehicle Wraps
Baskin Robbins International Packaging Design | Packaging
Buffalo Wild Wings Go for the Golden Fire | Email Marketing
Buffalo Wild Wings All You Can Eat | Integrated Marketing Campaign
Dunkin’ Culinary Team Packaging | Packaging
Inspire Brands Brand Purpose Video | Motion
Jimmy John’s Gyro | Email
Jimmy John’s Strawberry Wraps & Lemonade Market Test | POP + Exhibits + Displays
SONIC Live Free Map | Brochures + Collateral
SONIC Free Little Library | Designing for Good
SONIC Smasher Video | Motion

iHAF Award Includes:

Dunkin’ International Packaging | Honorable Mention – Packaging

These prestigious honors recognize creative excellence across design, celebrating standout work from design firms, ad agencies, in-house departments, institutions, associations, freelancers, and students alike. The competition spans a wide range of categories, including print, packaging, point-of-purchase (P-O-P), social, interactive, video, and more.

To be recognized by both GDUSA and iHAF is a testament to the passion, vision, and dedication our team pours into every project. Not only is our team incredibly talented, they’re award-winning talented.

We’re honored to be acknowledged by such respected institutions in the design world, and we’re more inspired than ever to keep pushing creative boundaries.

Congratulations, Maverick Studios Team!

Arby’s $1 Sliders | Social Media

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Trailers | Surface + Vehicle Wraps

Baskin-Robbins International Packaging Design | Packaging

Buffalo Wild Wings Go for the Golden Fire | Email Marketing

Buffalo Wild Wings All You Can Eat | Integrated Marketing Campaign

Dunkin’ Culinary Team Packaging | Packaging

Inspire Brands Brand Purpose Video | Motion

Jimmy John’s Gyro | Email

Jimmy John’s Strawberry Wraps & Lemonade Market Test | POP + Exhibits + Displays

SONIC Live Free Map | Brochures + Collateral

SONIC Free Little Library | Designing for Good

SONIC Smasher Video | Motion

Dunkin’ International Packaging | iHAF Honorable Mention – Packaging

By: Christy Idleman

Digital/Social Strategist

At Maverick Studios, we’re all about creating bold, innovative content that breaks barriers, turns heads, and gets people talking. But we’re more than just game-changers in the creative world—we’re a community. Our social channels are more than just places to post cool stuff—they’re extensions of who we are. They reflect the heart and hustle of Maverick Studios, where creativity, collaboration, and connection come alive.

Why You Should Follow Along

Our social presence is all about connection, inspiration, and growth. Snag a front row seat to our behind-the-scenes creative playground including a look at our process, our wins, and the insights that spark new ideas. They’re also a way to stay engaged with the people who make Maverick Studios thrive: our team, our clients, our collaborators, and our fans.

Whether you’re here for industry insights, a peek behind the scenes, or to join us in building something extraordinary, our channels are designed to bring you into the Maverick experience.

Be Part of Our Story

We’re not just creating content—we’re creating a movement. Following us means more than keeping up; it’s about being part of our story. Watch us grow, share in our wins, and see what happens when creativity and collaboration join forces.

This integrated approach ensures that the Client/Brand’s creative vision is seamlessly translated from online platforms to physical interactions, fostering brand loyalty, and enhancing customer experience for all.

Ready to connect? Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram today. Let’s build something amazing together.

Every year, Inspire Brands creates and distributes countless advertisements, ranging from commercials and images to web content. But after initial use, they often go unused, sitting lost or forgotten on a digital shelf.

That is why we are excited to announce the launch of The Vault, a powerful, state-of-the-art digital asset management (DAM) system designed to simplify the way we organize, store, and share our extensive marketing content, and accelerate the creative process. Built on Bynder’s robust DAM platform, and equipped with AI capabilities, The Vault serves as a centralized, cloud-based storage system that streamlines asset management for all brands, departments, franchisees and agencies across the company. It ensures brand consistency and creates a seamless workflow by ensuring that every marketing asset is easily searchable, accessible, and ready for use in new campaigns.

The Vault is a game changer for marketing efficiency and a key component of Inspire Brands’ ongoing digital transformation. Internal teams, external agencies and production partners can collaborate effortlessly within a single system. With features like version control, rights management, and usage tracking, The Vault provides real-time access to the latest approved assets, ensures consistency between campaigns, and allows for faster execution and greater scalability.

The Vault also offers powerful analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into asset performance. This means Inspire Brands can not only optimize content strategies but also unlock new creative possibilities to inspire more meaningful connections with its customers.

Last month alone, The Vault served over 6.5 billion assets, leveraging its growing library of 43,000+ resources and growing. And in June 2024, Inspire Brands received Bynder’s Digital Transformation Award for Maverick Studios’ innovative push towards digital asset integration across our portfolio of brands.

With The Vault, we are building the future of brand storytelling—faster, smarter, and more unified than ever before.

Ivan Zhu

Hi, my name is Ivan Zhu, and I am Production Intern at Maverick Studios for the Summer 2024 program. I am a creative and results-driven individual with a college background in both videography and photography. Maverick Studios has provided me with the opportunity to refine my skills and become well-rounded.

“Doing what has not been done before”

“Doing what has not been done before” is more than a slogan; it is the reason so many great talents gather in this family. During my internship, I participated in several productions, including market-test photoshoots for Jimmy John’s, Jimmy John’s International, Dunkin’ International, and Baskin Robbins. I also participated in a live event for SONIC and helped with recruitment marketing videos for Inspire Brands.

From pre-production to production and eventually post-production, I gained valuable experience from every crew member and each procedure, which I could never have learned in school. Surrounded by the best, learning from the best, and becoming the best, Maverick Studios has helped me successfully transition from a new graduate to a young professional.

Shakira Goodwin

Hello. I am Shakira Goodwin. I am a rising senior at Georgia State University with a major in Film and Media Production. I have had the honor of being invited to join the Summer Internship Program at Inspire Brands as a production intern under Maverick Studios. I am extremely grateful for this experience, which has afforded me many opportunities to learn and grow as a creative person.

This was my first internship, and I truly felt like I was making an impact by aiding the team on each project I worked on. One of the factors of this internship that I enjoyed the most was the level of responsibility I was granted on projects. As an intern, I was able to act as a manager, producer, set coordinator, and many other roles that helped me grow my skills for various levels of production.

My second favorite aspect of this internship experience would be the team members at Maverick Studios and Inspire Brands. Each person was willing to answer my numerous questions, no matter how funny, silly, or random they seemed. The team and the company culture are aspects I hope to find in my future roles. Every day had its challenges, but working with a fun and supportive team made each day more enjoyable.

Coming into this internship, my knowledge of the creative industry was limited, but this experience has shown me many opportunities for creative people to shine and aid different industries. Working for a food company wasn’t my dream, but it has been the greatest experience to date, with unique experiences like new product tasting and pretending to be an employee for a photoshoot.

This summer experience has been crazy, as it is my first internship with such rigor and reasonability. I’m excited to see how Mavericks Studios grows and what projects they work on in the future.

By: Christy Idleman

Digital/Social Strategist

In the fast-paced world of digital innovation, companies are increasingly turning to creative strategy to not only differentiate themselves, but also to seamlessly integrate their various business functions. Maverick Studios, a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, exemplifies this approach by intertwining digital strategy with creative excellence across our Client/Brand’s production and field marketing domains as well as digital strategy. This holistic approach not only enhances their market position, but also fosters synergy among diverse teams and projects across our brand portfolios.

Integrating Creative Strategy with Digital Excellence

Maverick Studios understands that a robust digital strategy alone is not sufficient in today’s competitive landscape. Instead, we prioritize a creative strategy that infuses innovation and artistic vision into every aspect of our operations. By aligning digital initiatives with creative direction, Maverick Studios ensures that our Client’s marketing initiatives, production requests and digital marketing efforts resonate deeply with their consumers.

For instance, digital campaigns are not just about reach and engagement metrics, but about crafting emotional narratives that captivate and inspire. This creative approach not only drives traffic, but also builds a loyal community of followers who are emotionally invested in the brand.

Creative Strategy in Field Marketing: Bridging Online and Offline Experiences

Field marketing plays a crucial role within the Client/Brand’s marketing ecosystem and is in the forefront of Maverick’s strategy, acting as a bridge between their digital presence and real-world audience engagement. Here, creative strategy comes into play by orchestrating relevant campaigns that resonate with consumers on a local level. By leveraging digital insights, Maverick Studios can tailor their field marketing efforts to maximize impact.

The Importance of a Unified Creative Strategy

At the core of Maverick Studios’ success lies a unified creative strategy that aligns all teams and Client/Brand initiatives. This cohesion not only streamlines operations, but also cultivates a shared sense of purpose and identity across the organization. From digital marketers to production crews to field marketers, everyone works towards a common goal of delivering compelling storytelling and exceptional content.

Moreover, a unified creative strategy enables Maverick Studios to adapt swiftly to market changes and consumer preferences. By staying agile and innovative, they maintain their competitive edge while continuously pushing the boundaries of creativity in entertainment.

What Does a Successful Creative Strategy Look Like?

For Maverick Studios, a successful creative strategy is characterized by innovation, authenticity and audience-centricity. It involves:

1) Strategic Alignment: Ensuring digital, production, and traditional marketing strategies are aligned with overarching creative goals.

2) Cross-functional Collaboration: Facilitating collaboration between the different teams to harness diverse perspectives and expertise.

3) Continuous Innovation: Embracing new technologies and trends to deliver fresh and engaging content.

4) Adaptability: Remaining adaptable to changing market dynamics and consumer behaviors.

In conclusion, Maverick Studios’ approach to creative strategy transcends conventional boundaries, illustrating how a cohesive vision can elevate strategy to new heights of innovation and impact. By weaving together creativity, technology, and strategic foresight, our team sets a precedent for excellence in the industry and beyond. At Maverick Studios, we’re incredibly proud to partner with our Clients and Brands, shaping the forefront of industry landscapes and trends. We’re excited to continue building together, pushing boundaries, and unleashing the power of creativity in driving business success.

Inspire Brands was thrilled to receive Bynder’s Digital Transformation Award for Maverick Studios’ innovative push towards digital asset integration across our portfolio of brands. This recognition underscores the strategic advancements we’ve made in streamlining content and enhancing asset management processes through our partnership with Bynder, a best-in-class digital asset management (DAM) platform.

The Power of Integration

Known internally as The Vault, Bynder serves as the central hub for all content produced for each of our brands at Inspire Brands. From brand guidelines to digital images and videos, The Vault houses everything Inspire Brands needs in one accessible location. This centralized system acts as a “global solution,” ensuring that approved assets are readily available across all platforms and communications.

The Vision for a Unified System

We recognized a critical need for a simple, centralized database for brands, agencies, and partners, to access all the extensive files created daily. The growing increase in demand for deliverables highlighted the necessity for a secure, efficient, and streamlined method of sharing assets. By partnering with Bynder, we accelerated our digital transformation, uniting our brands and facilitating seamless integration.

Managing an Expanding Library

Since the integration, Maverick Studios has successfully managed over 38,000 assets, with an average of 500 new assets uploaded each week. Within the last 3 months, we have served 4.4 billion impressions off only 1,500 unique assets.

Looking Ahead

The recognition from Bynder is not just an award; it’s a testament to our dedication for being at the forefront of digital asset management. As we continue to refine our processes and expand our asset library, we are excited about the future of Inspire Brands.

Link to Bynder’s award announcement: https://www.bynder.com/en/bynder-spotlight-awards/profile-inspire-brands/

Join us as we sit down with Vice President, Chris Phillips to uncover the exciting journey behind expanding our new studio in Hyderabad, India. Discover the vision, excitement, and creative aspirations driving this bold move. Read on to get an insider’s perspective on how Maverick is making a “nest” in one of India’s most vibrant cities.

Where did the idea of growing Maverick Studios from the Inspire Hyderabad Support Center come from?

The bigger Maverick Studios gets the more quick-turn, last-minute requests we get. We are always looking for more efficient ways to deliver on deadlines while not compromising the quality of the work. When HR asked me if Maverick Studios had staffing needs for our new office in Hyderabad I jumped at the chance. It was a great opportunity to extend the length of each project turn cycle by lengthening the hours available each day, allowing us to give projects with the tightest deadlines the attention they deserve.

What are two benefits that you are excited to see impact the Studio by having new support from the Hyderabad Support Center?

I’m most excited about seeing the impact on creativity. Blending new perspectives and experiences from other parts of the world can help us push the limits. Then, pair that with the impact on speed driven by the ability to iterate around the clock. You get fresh, multicultural thinking on ideas that can be fully explored without missing calendar deadlines. All that coming to life within our existing workflows and ecosystems. I can’t wait to see the results.

Is Maverick Studios the only Inspire Shared Service based out of the Hyderabad Support Center?

Not even close to the only. There are many other shared services teams being supported out of the HSC. The office is already home to more than 200 employees working across various departments. In fact, Maverick Studios works with several support staff out of HSC around digital product, HR and data.

Within the studio, what type of work or projects do you foresee team members in Hyderabad supporting? Is it any, a few, or all the brands?

We are utilizing our team in Hyderabad for all aspects of the business. From field marketing to POP materials, motion graphics to photo editing, the team is working on entire projects or integrating on specific tasks to enable quicker turnaround. We have team members on work spanning our entire family of brands and shared services. We’ve even been able to work on content for Maverick Studios.

Did Maverick Studios provide support with any of the development, planning, or design for the physical support center office(s)?

We did. Our team worked directly with construction and project teams to bring our brands to life on the walls of the office. Mixing in a local flair with Inspire branding in common spaces as well as consulting on materials and signage choices. It was fun to know we helped shape the work environment of our future team members and helped create a special space representing Inspire on the other side of the globe.

By: Christy Idleman

Digital/Social Strategist

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, creating campaigns that resonate with audiences on a cultural level is crucial for driving engagement and ultimately, conversions. Maverick Studios recently worked with Jimmy John’s on their ‘Deliciously Dope’ 4/20 Campaign, showcasing their collaboration in leveraging cultural relevance to drive results.

The campaign, centered around the popular 4/20 holiday, aimed to capture the attention of Jimmy John’s target audience with a unique and engaging email strategy. Maverick Studios recognized the importance of aligning the brand’s messaging with the cultural significance of the holiday while maintaining authenticity and relevance.

By strategically incorporating elements that appealed to the 4/20 audience, such as subject line hooks and body copy with clever wordplay, vibrant visuals, and an authentic tone of voice, Maverick Studios successfully captured the attention of consumers and encouraged them to take action. The overall campaign not only appealed to consumers, but also generated buzz and excitement around the Jimmy John’s brand.

This success story highlights the importance of strategy when creating culturally relevant campaigns across digital platforms and channels. Understanding the target audience, aligning messaging with cultural context, and crafting compelling creative content in an authentic way, are all essential elements in driving consumer engagement and ultimately, driving them to take action.

‘Deliciously Dope’ culturally relevant creative emails produced by Maverick Studios for Jimmy John’s 4/20 campaign

Maverick Studios’ collaboration with Jimmy John’s exemplifies the power of culturally relevant creative emails that can authentically capture consumer interest to influence purchase decisions. By staying true to the brand’s identity and connecting with audiences on a deeper level, brands can create impactful digital campaigns that drive results and leave a lasting impression on consumers.

And hey, we might be biased, but Jimmy John’s will forever be the undisputed sandwich leader of 4/20 in our hearts!

By: Christy Idleman

Digital/Social Strategist

Get ready as we dive into Christy’s (yes, that’s me!) digital and social trend predictions for 2024 based on the current climate of the digital landscape. Discover why Maverick Studios is embracing these digital trends and incorporating them into the lineup of brands within the Inspire portfolio.

01. Gamification

At Maverick Studios, we recognize the immense potential of gamification in elevating our clients’ digital content. By incorporating gamification elements and strategies into our creative process, we can create interactive experiences that captivate our client’s target audience and foster customer loyalty. Our team will design engaging social and owned content that incentivizes users to actively participate and interact with our clients’ brand. By implementing gamification into our creative process, we can effectively drive customer engagement, increase brand loyalty, and ultimately boost our clients’ sales, conversions and overall customer experience.

02. XR Technology

As Maverick looks ahead to 2024, we are excited to embrace XR technology (extended reality) and leverage it to revolutionize our client’s digital content. Through our trusted brand partnerships, our team will harness the power of XR technology to become an industry pioneer in this space—ultimately creating immersive and captivating experiences for our client’s specific needs. We have the unique opportunity to build a completely virtual production that allows customers to visualize products in a virtual (yet hyper-realistic) environment, providing them with a unique and interactive shopping experience. Buffalo Wild Wings and Jimmy John’s have already started tapping into Maverick’s XR capabilities to support their digital marketing goals with cost-saving outcomes. By incorporating XR technology into our creative process, we can help our clients differentiate themselves, provide innovative experiences, and drive customer satisfaction and sales. We are excited to lead the charge in breaking the 4th wall in 2024 with our cutting-edge technology and talented Creative Team.

Maverick x Reveal XR

Maverick employed XR technology on behalf of BWW to shoot the look of different locations, countries, and scenes such as Mexico, India, and the UAE….all from a single studio. Maverick brought to life that familiar BWW sports bar feel by utilizing XR and virtual production.

See Full Project

We take great pride in our current achievements, yet our hunger for success knows no bounds! Our future endeavors revolve around broadening our vision and wholeheartedly focusing on generating revolutionary and cutting-edge digital-first content. Maverick will continue searching for opportunities to implement digital trends into their creative process with purpose and intention. This undoubtedly will elevate the standing and influence of Inspire’s diverse brand portfolio, establishing us as a frontrunner in the digital realm and the entire QSR industry. Be assured, our Mavericks are just getting started!

We know for certain that 2023 is behind us as we move full speed into the second month of 2024. How fast can time fly? When going into a new year, we Mavericks understand the importance of reflecting on the accomplishments and progress that has been made. 2024 has been a spectacular year for Maverick Studios as we worked to support our clients and supercharge Inspire and its portfolio of brands. For our team, the journey in 2023 was marked by continued innovation, growth, and an unwavering commitment to what we do.

For Inspire Brands, Maverick Studios remains committed to its mission to produce quality, game-changing content. We’ve been happy to support many groundbreaking projects & impactful collaborations. Here’s a glimpse into the highlights of our journey throughout 2023.

Strategic Partnerships

One of the keys of our success lies in the partnerships we’ve cultivated. In 2023, we grew and deepened our network of collaborators, forging meaningful alliances with industry leaders and innovative startups alike. These partnerships not only fostered an exchange of ideas but also enabled us to deliver complete solutions for the unique needs of our clients. From Food Styling, Event Production, Video & Photoshoots, Asset Versioning, Caricatures, and more; together we have been able to accomplish anything sent our way.

Innovative Campaigns

Creativity takes flight with us Mavericks. Throughout the year, we conceptualized and executed a staggering amount of creative that captivated audiences and uplifted the brands we serve. From immersive live experiences to engaging social media activations, each project was meticulously crafted to leave a lasting impression and boost our brand’s presence.

Thought Leadership

As leaders in our field, our very own Chris Phillips took center stage at the In-House Agency Forum in Boston to share insights with others in our industry. During our time, we provoked discourse and drove meaningful conversations, while also being recognized by our peers for a few of our efforts in bringing creativity for our clients to life.

Employee Empowerment

The greatest asset at Maverick Studios is our talented and dedicated flock. Throughout the year, we continued to foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning. And boy did we grow! We expanded further to become a tightly integrated team of designers, producers, project managers, strategists, photographers, and more. We also promoted from within recognizing and celebrating our people, recognizing that their growth is integral to our collective success.

Recognition and Awards

The accolades received throughout 2023 serve as a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether it was industry awards, client recognition, or employee achievements, each honor confirmed our role as a trailblazer.

When we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that await us in 2024, one thing is certain: Maverick Studios will continue to push the boundaries of innovation, achieve exceptional results, and break through expectations. Thank you to our clients, partners, and team members for their tremendous role in our journey. Together, we embark on the next chapter of our success.

Maverick Studios Blazes the Trail of Digital-First Content for Inspire’s Brand Portfolio

In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, brands must prioritize a robust digital marketing strategy to succeed amidst the rise of digital-first content and the dominance of online platforms. By aligning marketing efforts according to a well-executed digital strategy, brands can effectively connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, drive engagement, and achieve their specific marketing goals.

Maverick, a forward-thinking agency, has recognized the importance of a strong digital marketing strategy in driving digital success across multiple brands. To achieve this, we have recently brought on board a Digital Strategist, Christy, (hey, that’s me!). This expert takes the lead in developing and briefing the creative team on the strategic direction for digital-first content.

Our Mavericks sure know how to roll with the punches. Our team has shown their ability to adapt and thrive in any situation. With the industry shift towards digital marketing, Maverick is swiftly embracing a digital-first framework that blends technology, user engagement, education, entertainment, and social relevance to forge authentic connections with consumers. By merging Inspire’s portfolio of brands’ marketing initiatives with a strategic digital approach and innovative creative vision, we have successfully crafted impactful, digital-first content that resonates with our partner’s target audiences across various platforms.

With the guidance of our Digital Strategist (again, that’s me!), the creative team seamlessly integrated existing brand assets with current platform and audio trends, resulting in groundbreaking results. In a short period, Maverick has delivered more than 14 top TikTok advertisements in the Food and Beverage category, revolutionizing digital content across Inspire’s entire brand portfolio.

This eye-catching, split-screen Sonic 2 for $7 video made the top industry TikTok advertisements in the Food and Beverage category. In detail, the numbers concluded this ad as being “top 2% of the industry average for clicks & top 1% of the industry average for remain/retention amongst viewers.”

This seasonally relevant, drink-crave Sonic Trick or Treat Blasts video also made top industry TikTok advertisements in the Food and Beverage category. In detail, the numbers concluded this ad as being “top 2% of the industry average for clicks & top 2% of the industry average for remain/retention amongst viewers.”

We are proud of our current accomplishments, but our appetite for success remains insatiable! Our future plans involve expanding our vision and dedicating ourselves to creating even more digital-first content. This will undoubtedly enhance the reputation and reach of Inspire’s brand portfolio, positioning us as a leader in the digital space and throughout the entire QSR industry. Rest assured, this is only the beginning for our Mavericks!

Maverick Studios sure has set the bar high this year, earning not one, but six Graphic Design Awards for GDUSA’s 59th Annual Design Award Competition for 2022! Maverick Studios is a winner in the end-of-year best-of-year program, competing against more than 14,000 other entries in which less than the top 10 percent were chosen.

Awards include:

Arby’s | 2021 Worldwide Franchise Convention Graphics
Buffalo Wild Wings | Saucy Chicken Sandwich Social Media
Dunkin’ | 2022 Dunkin’ Logo
Jimmy John’s | National Pickle Day Emails
Inspire Brands | Good Citizens Report
Dunkin’ | American Runs on Dunkin’ Manifesto

GDUSA awards are highly recognized by the industry. These awards honors graphic excellence in a variety of groups in the design industry: design firms, ad agencies, in-house departments, institutions, associations, freelancers, students and more. The work submitted can range from print, packaging, P-O-P, internet, interactive, video and more. Maverick Studios will receive an embossed Award Certificate for each winning project and can publish the winning pieces in the 59th Anniversary GDUSA Awards Annual — seen by over 100,000 colleagues and clients each year.

This is an outstanding achievement for an in-house studio that’s only been in operation since 2021. Not only are our designers extremely talented, but award-winning talented!

Congratulations, Maverick Studios Team!

Arby’s | 2021 Worldwide Franchise Convention Graphics

Buffalo Wild Wings | Saucy Chicken Sandwich Social Media

Dunkin’ | 2022 Dunkin’ Logo

Jimmy John’s | National Pickle Day Emails

Inspire Brands | Good Citizens Report

Dunkin’ | American Runs on Dunkin’ Manifesto

The pandemic brought lots of changes to the workplace and the world in general, but these changes began long before this big shift. Media and the way people consume and react to different marketing methods is evolving at warp speed in today’s time, meaning that adapting quickly and effectively is the only way to keep afloat. The restaurant industry especially faced a lot of challenges during the pandemic in which new thinking became paramount.

IHAF supplier member, Wripple, spoke to one of our own, VP of Maverick Studios, Chris Phillips, for insider expertise on how he led Maverick Studios through tough times with new strategies to keep our brands relevant in the minds of consumers. When asked about this process, Chris said, “I saw this as an opportunity to expand how the in-house team contributes to the business, building a better future for Maverick”. Chris’ key insights for innovation include creativity, content and seamless teams.

Creativity is non-negotiable. The average person sees 6,000 to 10,000 advertisements a day, meaning your message needs to be creative enough to break through all the noise. With the pandemic, access to resources in the office was limited.

“The way we worked before the pandemic wasn’t an option,” shared Chris. “We couldn’t have simple photoshoots like we used to—we weren’t allowed. We had a problem, a project, and we had to get creative to make it happen.”

As Bill Gates famously wrote, content is king. Not only was new content required, but better, think-outside-the-box content was necessary. With the digital landscape constantly changing with new platforms and new ways to reach consumers, Chris and Maverick Studios had to up their content game, “The way content is consumed and the way customers make decisions are different now. The reach has changed significantly”. Getting the consumers’ attention above all other media is the key to success.

Seamless communication across teams translates to better products and happier clients. Chris knew this and shifted to a system that used hyper-collaboration, with a focus on unity across all project teams. Freelancers were employed to help to close the gap in client needs, and seamless communication with them was vital as well.

“Our key objective in using freelancers was to give our team the room it needed to rapidly expand and evolve their roles given the new reality we faced. Engaging specialists allowed us to manage surge capacity and be more nimble and quicker to market,”.

This seamless communication has maintained its presence in Maverick Studios even with team members who work remotely.

As for the future of Maverick Studios Chris is confident in his team. “The pandemic shined a light on what Maverick Studios can deliver. We are more integrated, and the results show it. By moving forward boldly, our future is bright. However, vigilance is still essential.” Maverick Studios is never satisfied and continues to push for more creativity and improving from previous efforts. Thanks to Chris’ guidance along the way, the future is bright for Maverick Studios.

For more information, visit ihaforum

Read what Associate Creative Director, Rodrigo Posada, has to say about being a team leader, his inspirations, steps to be successful and more!

How do you keep your team motivated and productive under high pressure and tight deadlines?

It is very important to pay attention to each member of your Team during busy times. You want to make sure that the workload each of them is facing is manageable, and if it isn’t, come up with a plan to redistribute.

In some cases, some Team members might need some help prioritizing what’s on their plate. Assist them by identifying those opportunities and be in contact with clients, project managers or marketing peers to come up with a plan.

If needed, fold your sleeves and jump in to help. A Creative Team should be collaborative and supportive; it’s always “us”, never “me”.

Who are some of your biggest influences from the world of art and design?

Hmmm. This is a tough one and probably a disappointing answer for some people. I probably don’t have individuals that come quickly to mind as a reference. With the limitless access to information we’ve had during the last 20 years, the internet, social platforms, etc., countless talented individuals and organizations have found a way to catch our eyes and brains and show us their skills and POVs. This makes it harder for me to stay attached to a few, rather than opening my eyes and absorb as much as I can from trends, ways of communication, new technology, etc. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to work with incredibly talented individuals along the way in my career, from whom I’ve tried to learn and use those learnings to help the evolution of my own professional career. But OK, from a design standpoint, I’ll give you a brand that I admire immensely: Nespresso.

What qualities does a creative director most need to be successful?

Be egoless: “Strong” personalities usually create toxic environments and work relationships, which can bring limitations to the quality of the work.

Focus on understanding individualities within the team: It is very important to learn about your team members’ skills, passions, and opportunities. This will allow you to produce the best work collectively, while you are providing valuable opportunities to the individuals.

Great creative work comes from collaboration: Creating a culture of collaboration is extremely important for a Creative Team and the work they produce. Individuals should be empowered to contribute their ideas at all times and for any project.

Be connected to your Team and have fun: In my opinion, establishing a good connection with your Team is extremely important. Encourage open and honest communication, remove layers and unify the group. And laugh together! As much as you can.

How do you measure the success of design?

This is a simple one, maybe a little cold of an answer but realistic IMO: by purchases, appropriate learning, change in behaviors, and individual or collective responses to specific visual communication.

When you are launching a new creative campaign, what does your research process look like?

I think it is very important to fully understand the following subjects and the focus of research should always start there:

The product or service you will promote

Your target audience and how they interact with it

The industry this product or service is part of YOUR COMPETITION!

Maverick Studios is ramping up its game in every way possible! To do so, our Production Team got together with the Atlanta-based company, XR Virtual Production. Now, we Mavericks can use cutting-edge technology and cut costs without compromising on the maximization of production quality and impact.

Watch the video above for a glimpse of what working with XR Virtual Production means for Maverick Studios, our unique brands, and all the exciting productions we’ll go on to create.