The Minds Behind the Magic: Leadership Lessons
Gain insight from successful creative leaders in the interactive industry through our series of interviews with Founders, CEOs, Managers and Directors of top-performing agencies.
Discover their path to leadership and learn from their experiences as we present our list of the most influential figures in the field.
“The Goal Isn’t to Replace Expertise, It’s to Amplify It” — Timothy Buttigieg of 9H on the Human-Centric Future of Tech
Malta, April 22nd, 2026
Timothy Buttigieg is the CEO of 9H, a technology company specializing in complex enterprise solutions and people-centric innovation across Europe and MENA. Drawing on his background in international competitive sports, Timothy leads 9H with a focus on operational precision and "Technology that works for people."
“The Worst Use of AI is Preserving a Broken Process” — Niels Dortland of Monks on Reshaping Agency Workflows and Digital Strategy
New York, March 25th, 2026
Niels Dortland is the Executive Creative Director at Monks, specializing in the intersection of AI, creative leadership, and future-proof digital experiences. Based in NYC, he advocates for a shift in agency culture where AI is treated as an operational system rather than a simple tool.
AI Creative Strategy Creativity Design Systems digital transformation Innovation Leadership
“Technology Should Be the Engine, but Humanity Must Always Be the Driver” — San Interactive’s CEO, Madi Nassimian, on Digital Made Human
Tel Aviv, March 19th, 2026
Madi Nassimian is a Partner at San Interactive and a dedicated advocate for "Human First Innovation in an Automated World." Based in Tel Aviv, he specializes in merging strategic storytelling with AI-driven ecosystems to create digital experiences that are culturally grounded and intuitively simple.
AI Experience Design Digital Made Human Innovation Interactive Storytelling UX/ UI Design
“Clients Want to Speak to the Talent – Not Executive Teams” — View Source’s Ross Vandenhoeck on Why Challenger Studios Are Beating the Big Agencies
New York, March 13th, 2026
Ross Vandenhoeck is the Co-founder and Digital Director at View Source. A 'creative-engineer' by nature, he specializes in peeling back the layers of digital experiences to find their human essence. He is currently focused on protecting messy, divergent thinking and bringing a sense of 'digital weirdness' back to an increasingly efficient web.
Creative DigitalExperiences engineering Human Interactive Webdevelopment
“Users May Not See the Details, But They Always Feel Them” — Horacio Torrendell on the Future of XR Mastery
New York, February 25th, 2026
Horacio Torrendell, Founder of Treeview, discusses the evolution of spatial computing and the shift toward AI-driven interfaces. From the new design language of Android XR to the importance of senior-only teams, Horacio explains why true mastery in software is defined by the details that users feel rather than see.
Agentic AI Android XR Augmented Reality Enterprise XR Software Quality Spatial Computing
“Keep Experimenting—Nothing in Digital is Permanent” — Metajive’s Dave Benton on Agency Growth and AI
Dave Benton, Founder of Metajive, discusses the evolution of his award-winning studio from a kitchen-table startup to a Fortune 10 digital partner. He shares insights into Agentic Commerce, the resilience required to survive technological shifts, and why total ownership is the secret to creating world-class user experiences.
Applied AI Digital experiences Digital Products Digital strategy E-Commerce Shopify Experts
“Digital Can Bridge That Gap” — Giant Digital’s Vimal Patel on Modernising the Charity Sector
London, February 12th, 2026
Vimal Patel, Co-Founder of Giant Digital, explores how digital innovation and AI are transforming the charity sector. He reflects on the agency’s purpose-driven approach to technology and explains why human-centered design is essential for extending the reach and impact of world-changing organisations.
Digital Charity Digital strategy Innovation Nonprofit AI Social impact Tech Ethics
“The Gaming Sector Requires Real Expertise That Not All Agencies Have Access To” — Bruno Luriot on Biborg’s Strategic Approach
Paris, 28th January 2026
Bruno Luriot, Co-Founder and CEO of Biborg, shares the agency’s evolution from its Flash-era roots to becoming a creative powerhouse in the gaming industry. He discusses the importance of deep industry knowledge, the balance between creativity and strategy, and Biborg’s commitment to improving the gaming ecosystem through diversity, authenticity, and impact-driven campaigns.
CreativeStrategy DigitalCampaigns DiversityInGaming Gamification GamingMarketing Innovation Storytelling
“Immersive Work Has To Earn Its Place” — Dan Ferguson on XR Storytelling and Impact
Dallas, 20th January 2026
In this interview, Dan Ferguson, Co-Founder & Partner at Groove Jones, shares how immersive media is reshaping brand storytelling across entertainment, marketing, training, and healthcare.
Animation AR Content Creation Creative Immersive Strategic Planning VR XR
“Startups Don’t Need Ten Months of Theory — They Need Momentum” — Ohad Shalev on Prioritizing Speed, Clarity, and Real-World Testing
Tel Aviv, November 27th, 2025
In this interview, Ohad Shalev, Co-Founder and Head of Design at hello., explains why early-stage startups must prioritize speed, clarity, and real-world testing. He reflects on the agency’s no-nonsense approach to branding and product design.
BrandStrategy DesignSprints DigitalProducts IU/UX StartupBranding StartupEcosystem
“Custom Solutions Are Where the Real Value Lies” — Jerry Diender on Elemental’s Global Mindset
Cape Town, November 21st, 2025
Jerry Diender, co-CEO of Elemental, reflects on the power of custom-built digital solutions, the importance of trust and culture in creative teams, and how a Cape Town–based agency has earned the confidence of global brands through quality, resilience, and a relentlessly problem-solving mindset. In this conversation, he shares insights on leadership, collaboration, and technology.
CustomDevelopment DigitalExperiences DigitalStrategy ProblemSolving TeamCulture Webdevelopment
“UX/UI isn’t window dressing — it’s business strategy disguised as design.” — Tighe O’Connor on Verve Studios’ Growth Mindset
Charlotte, 12th November 2025
Tighe O’Connor, Founder of Verve Studios, shares the journey of building a boutique creative studio rooted in high-quality motion design, UI/UX, and brand storytelling. In this candid conversation, he explores the power of gut instinct in branding, the value of client conversations for deeper insight, and why design is not decoration but strategy.
“The Core of Branding Will Always Be Human Connection” — Sherry Jacobi on Building Emotional, Story-Led Brands That Last
Sherry Jacobi, CEO and Founder of Studiothink, reflects on her journey leading one of Canada’s boldest branding agencies. From building emotional, story-driven brands to embracing AI and navigating leadership transitions, she shares how Studiothink continues to challenge the status quo with strategic creativity and fearless collaboration.
“We Do It With a Twist” — Mauro Palacios on Building a Culture of Strategic Craft
São Paulo, September 10th, 2025
Brazilian creativity thrives under pressure—and few understand that better than Mauro Palacios, Founder & CEO of Twist. From platform-native campaigns to performance-led storytelling, he breaks down the agency’s formula for turning cultural insight into scalable branding impact. At the heart of it all? A bold mindset—and doing it “with a Twist.”
“There’s Clearly a Formula That Can Be Replicated” — Max Carmichael-Jack on How Research Shapes Brand Success
San Francisco, September 3rd, 2025
In this candid interview, Max Carmichael-Jack, Founder & CEO of Burst Digital, shares how his
analytical mindset, global perspective, and passion for experimentation drive
bold branding strategies and measurable growth. Discover how Burst blends
science and creativity to help companies stand out and scale.
analytical research Product Research Research Brand development
“Spatial Computing Is the Ultimate Interface for AI” — Horacio Torrendell on Treeview’s Vision for XR Innovation
New York, August 21st, 2025
Horacio Torrendell, Founder & CEO of Treeview, shares how his global upbringing and passion for technology led him to build one of the world’s top XR studios. In this exclusive interview, he discusses spatial computing, enterprise innovation, and how Treeview is shaping the future of AR/VR for brands like Microsoft and Medtronic.
AI AR futureofwork immersiveexperiences spatialcomputing UXDesign VR XR
Inside Medito: Growing Shopify Stores Through Smart SEO and Design
London, August 13th, 2025
Discover how Olivier Lambret, Founder and CEO of Medito Digital, is helping Shopify brands navigate the future of eCommerce. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights on ChatGPT-friendly SEO, performance-driven UX, and how brands can adapt to new consumer behaviours in the age of AI and conversational search.
conversionrate digitalgrowth E-Commerce seostrategy Shopify shopifyexperts
“It’s not about what you sell, but why you exist” — Manuel Martínez on Voice, Values, and Vision
With over a decade leading the agency, Manuel Martinez, Founder and Managing Director of LOUD, dives into the challenges and opportunities of branding in a changing world, the role of emotional storytelling, and how the agency integrates creativity and AI to stay ahead of the curve.
Brand Identity emotional design global strategy Marketing Storytelling
From Kyiv to the world: How UX/UI design and AI drive digital innovation at DreamX
Kyiv, July 8th, 2025
In this interview, Alexandr Korshykov, Founder and CEO of DreamX, shares the story behind the agency’s rapid rise, his approach to leadership, and how AI is reshaping the future of digital design. From humble beginnings to a portfolio of global clients, DreamX is proving that bold ideas and thoughtful execution go hand in hand.
Building What’s Next: Infinum’s Nikola Kapraljević on Growth, Culture, and Innovation
In this exclusive interview, Infinum CEO Nikola Kapraljević shares his personal journey, leadership philosophy, and how the agency continues to evolve through strategic growth, technological innovation, and a culture built on curiosity, collaboration, and delivering long-term value.
CreativeAgencies Digital Products DigitalInnovation ProductStrategy TechLeadership
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Best in Breed since 1998. Lounge Lizard is a Digital Agency that Specializes in Brand Strategy, Website Design, Web Development, Mobile APP Development, Online Marketing, Social Media, Ecommerce, and SEOdigital experiences that move brands and businesses from now to next.
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