News & Podcasts

The Whole Marketer Podcast – Episode 153

Jul 28, 2025

Episode #153. This topic is a technical and human skill that all marketers should strive to develop in order to solve problems and inspire new thinking, ideas, products and experiences for your consumers and your organisation… we’re talking about creating a culture of creative excellence – what it is and how to get started. 

Abby’s guest expert is Rich Atkinson-Toal, VP of Global Brand and Marketing at Amex Global Business Travel. His marketing and communication leadership experience extends across B2C and B2B brands including Barclays and Barclaycard. Over the last 18 years, Rich has worked across all marketing and management disciplines, including media, creative, marketing, technology, production, communications, planning and activation. He is also deputy chair and non-executive director of the Data and Marketing Association and as a growth orientated, passionate and ambitious leader he believes culture and purpose are key components of brand and business success. 

In this episode, Rich shares his definition of creative excellence, the process he puts in place as a leader to make time and space for creativity, reviewing and aligning creativity, starting your creative excellence culture and how to engage your team. 

Plus his highs and lows and advice for marketers of tomorrow. 

00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction Creative Excellence 

00:04:15 Defining Creative Excellence  

00:07:04 Clarity and Alignment in Creativity  

00:08:06 Creativity as a Mindset Across the Organisation  

00:10:01 Practical Steps to Shift Creative Culture  

00:14:53 Creative Reviews and Consistency  

00:19:13 Measuring External Creative Excellence  

00:25:10 Skills and Behaviours for Creative Teams  

00:30:35 Protecting the Creative Team Environment  

00:34:12 Lessons Learned in Creative Transformation  

00:38:08 Career Highs and Lows  

00:42:27 Advice for Marketers of Tomorrow  

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