In a bold creative move, adam&eveDDB has brought together two of the industry’s most brilliant minds—Amber Casey and Nicola Wood—as a new Creative Director duo. Known for their award-winning campaigns and culturally resonant work, their partnership marks a fresh chapter for the agency’s storied creative legacy. In this exclusive interview, Amber and Nicola share their thoughts on collaboration, purpose-driven creativity, and why adam&eveDDB is still one of the best places in the business to make meaningful work.
A Partnership Years in the Making
BOTH: We’re very lucky because we’ve known each other for a long time (as we both started RKCR/Y&R in the same week) so we already feel really comfortable in each other’s company and both have an incredible amount of respect for each other. As well as an incredible amount of energy. We know what each other is capable of and are very excited to see what happens when our two minds combine.
A Dream Portfolio at Their Fingertips
BOTH: The client portfolio is envious. In fact, it’s a dream. Adam&eveDDB has such a wide range of clients, and we’re excited to get our teeth into pretty much all of them. We both like working with human insights and truths as well as flexing different tones of voice. We think our experience of creating impact and real change in society is going to benefit every brief we’re on. We’re always looking for big ideas that land in culture in everything we do.
What Makes adam&eveDDB a Creative Powerhouse
AMBER: They consistently hire the best creative directors, who understand the culture of DDB, and ensure the quality of the work is brilliant. Twenty-five years ago, it was Jeremy Craigen and Ewan Patterson, and now Ant and Mike continue to never settle for anything that isn’t the best it can be. That’s how adam&eveDDB has managed to retain clients like Marmite and VW and continue to attract the best creative minds.
NICOLA: It has to be the calibre of talent in the agency across every department and the sheer amount of opportunity there is, it’s not something you get at every agency. We’ve never seen so many good briefs flying around which mean there is more chance of scoring goals and creating culturally relevant work. The best work makes you feel something, and adam&eveDDB is definitely the best at that.
Purpose, Not Just Creativity
AMBER: When approaching a social brief, there is no point in getting someone’s attention with a shocking campaign if you’re not making it clear how they can act or there is no lasting impact. In the Women 4 Women campaign, that supports female small business owners in Africa, we sold the poster space to the audience who would care the most, other small business owners in the UK. The benefits to women were truly full circle, from one side of the globe to the other.
NICOLA: Every brief needs a creative solution to solve a problem or business need. It’s not so much about balancing, but more about being determined to find the best creative solution for every brief that lands on your desk – whether that’s tackling misogyny or selling soda. Eat. Sleep. Create. Repeat. We believe advertising is a powerful tool and therefore must play its part in addressing social issues, as long as it’s authentic and not disingenuous. As we have seen with campaigns like ‘have a word’ it has the power to change laws and positively change lives.
Looking Ahead with Ambition
AMBER: Working with Nic is an exciting new chapter. We’ve known each other for years, ever since we competed against each other in the annual fancy dress competitions at Y&R. Honestly, I feel like I’ve done something good in a past life, working back at Paddington with Nic and my old friends, under the guidance of Ant and Mike. I feel incredibly lucky, and I just want to do my best, to make adam&eveDDB, and my mum, proud.
NICOLA: We want to push against conventions that are making advertising a bit paint by numbers. Creativity shouldn’t be a formula. And the best work is often made outside of comfort zones. We want to get outside our comfort zone and sell from a place of excitement not fear.
AMBER CASEY: On Creative Philosophy and Coming Home
How has your creative philosophy evolved over the years?
I have worked at some incredible agencies with some talented partners which I’ve learned a lot from. But I have a terrible memory so I couldn’t tell you what specifically. My philosophy has always been to just do my best, look for the good in everything and everyone. Freelance has taught me I don’t ever want to deal with my tax ever again. Who has time for that?!
What feels different about adam&eveDDB now that you’re back?
Nothing feels different, in a good way. The culture is still the same. The building is still the same. Even some of the people are still the same. It’s a lovely place to work and no one takes themselves too seriously. Everyone understands and cares about getting to great work. The success of a company is clear when everyone is proud to work there. And that hasn’t changed either.
NICOLA WOOD: Creativity Fueled by Neurodiversity and Empathy
What drives your creative process?
I recently received a late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD. It explains a lot. I find it hard to switch off and the cogs are always turning. I take everything in and process it, remembering small details that others might miss.
So much of what I learnt from my days on the revered Watford Ad Course, from the late, great Tony Cullingham, is still so relevant today. He told us to be a sponge. People watch. Listen to conversations. Study comedy scripts and music lyrics because they contain human truths. To get out of your bubble. My late, great mother also taught me a lot about empathy and how to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. I think this has all filtered into my work.
What do you enjoy about being back in a hands-on creative role?
There were things I loved about being an ECD like nurturing teams and shaping ideas, which I can still do as a CD. But there were parts of it that my neurodiverse brain resisted that I just don’t have to do anymore. The sheer number of meetings and the meetings about meetings to start.
I realised I was much, much happier when I had time and space to process stuff and hyperfocus. Ever since I was little I have always got a high from creating and writing, I just couldn’t find my high as an ECD.
Mentorship, Magic, and Moving Forward
On working with Ant and Mike again:
BOTH: Ant and Mike are like the Oracle in the Matrix of advertising. They are calm and unflappable and always have the answer to get to the best work. We know we have much to learn from them. Their back catalogue of work is pretty f**ing incredible.*
The top always trickles down so we think their leadership will continue to make everyone feel super confident that they are in the best hands and have the best opportunity to do great work whilst continuing to feel excited and proud to work at adam&eveDDB.
