Many are saying we’re in a creative talent crisis, but perhaps talent has simply moved from a singular workplace to multiple locations. New models of creativity are being inspired by other art forms. We see these creative evolutions as the rise of the Ensemble. An ensemble is a temporary team of talented creators, strategists and subject matter experts. They form as a group around a particular task or challenge and iteratively work through the development in similar ways that bands enter the studio to record a song or performance. This session will focus on the role of the creator in today’s changing agency environment and the rise of the gig economy. Ensembles: How the Gig-Economy Will Change the Way We Create We explore how new types of creative partnerships are born during times of transition. We’ll also talk about the responsibility of agencies and clients to understand and expect better content.

1. ENSEMBLES
HOW THE GIG ECONOMY WILL
CHANGE THE WAY WE CREATE
Baron Manett | Michael Girgis | Sandy Marshall
@bstat
@marshallsandy
@mike_girgis
#ensembleco

2. YOU’RE KNOWN
BY THE COMPANY
YOU KEEP

3. “Life is what
happens when
you’re making
other plans.”
- John Lennon

4. YOUR COLLABORATORS
DEFINE YOUR SOUND
◻ Individual, meet Ensemble
◻ New models of creative partnerships
◻ The gig economy is the Ensemble economy
◻ Inspired by other artforms

5. “Well, my
musicians are
my friends.”
- Prince

6. THIS IS ABOUT TRUST
◻ What happens when you work with your friends?
○ Strategy becomes lunch
○ Discovery becomes hanging out
◻ Who’s at your label?
◻ Trust wins the day with better ideas
◻ Antithesis of procurement

7. “We want to
bring good music
to the people.
That’s what it’s
all about.”
- Gord Downie

9. TO THE HIP, WITH LOVE
◻ Audience first thinking - what do they want?
◻ What happens when you lead with
values and audience first?
◻ Brands and agencies start to align on passion

10. “A record deal
doesn’t make
you an artist, you
make yourself an
artist.”
- Lady Gaga

11. WHAT’S WITH THIS
WAR ON TALENT?
◻ There isn’t one. Companies are
Focusing in the wrong direction.
◻ It’s not about retention
○ It’s about positioning
○ Clients get the content they deserve
◻ The best talent isn’t at your shop
○ They’re on the couch… or they’re leaving your shop.

12. “Record companies,
I found out, can put
out compilations
without your
permission.”
- P!nk

13. SO WHAT’S THE
NEW MODEL?
◻ There isn’t one, there are lots
◻ There’s a new creative moral code

14. STAYING RELEVANT IN
TODAY’S MARKET
◻ Show up on time
◻ Flexibility
◻ Focus. Only sell what you’ll deliver
◻ Don’t rush to form a company
◻ Rush to create collaborations and content
ensembleco.com

15. “I guess we were
just dedicated
to trying to
get better.”
- Geddy Lee

16. WHY ENSEMBLES WORK
◻ 100% support
◻ Make the other person look better
◻ Take turns leading
◻ No hierarchy

17. “The industry is
a menace
to artists.”
- Nikki Sixx

18. WHERE THINGS
GO WRONG
◻ Not being authentic
◻ Lack of focus
◻ Saying yes to everything
◻ The more you say no, the more
opportunities will come
◻ Forgetting the objective
◻ Not having each other’s backs

19. “I love all music.”
- Aretha Franklin

20. SOME TAKEAWAYS
◻ Find your ensemble (and a great producer)
◻ Be a great producer
◻ Be a great partner
◻ Pick a “Jam”
◻ Know what you don’t know and be okay with it
◻ Stay on the couch - wherever you want to be

21. QUESTIONS?

22. THANK YOU!
CONNECT WITH US
Baron Manett - @bstat
Sandy Marshall - @marshallsandy
Michael Girgis - @mike_girgis
EnsembleCO - @ensembletoronto
Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/user/bstat2
4/playlist/6TvVBRGj9UdcrmF29CG3C
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