Kristen Cavallo – Fostering Inclusivity and Innovation in Ad Leadership

The MCA Prodcast

This week on The MCA Prodcast Pat Murphy talks with Global CEO of MullenLowe Global Kristen Cavallo. Previously, Kristen stewarded The Martin Agency to great heights, including being named as U.S. Agency of the Year, Ad Age’s Agency of the Year and making the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies list. Kristen is a leading voice in the advertising industry, taking on important social and business issues, serving as a champion for equity and inclusion, defending the integrity of original creative ideas and operating as a firm believer that innovation is where growth thrives.
Kristen's life is a tapestry of diverse experiences, from her childhood as an Army Intelligence Officer's daughter to her extensive world travels, all of which have contributed to her dynamic approach to leadership in the ad world. In telling the story of her career Kristen reveals how she finds strength in change, and drawing on a myriad of perspectives to invigorate brand narratives.
Kristen explains how she strives to foster creativity and inclusivity at MullenLowe. She also explains how she’s worked to diversify her teams over the years and how that has in-turn helped her to be a better leader. “Being able to have a team with more diversity allows me the ability to hear more perspectives before I come up with a decision and understand the implications of how that decision will land”, she says.
It turns out that Kristen, despite being an advertising CEO, has never been to a film shoot! Hear how that has happened and why she doesn’t intend to change it. Whilst not a creative herself, Kristen believes that creative people can work well for organisations in the CEO role. “I think the people that make and dream up the products understand the business in a new and different way than maybe the people who understand the consumer like me” she says.
** Since recording, Kristen has announced she is leaving her position at MullenLowe to pursue a career in politics – something she alluded to in this episode. We wish her all the best for the future.
See Kristen’s favourite ad: Ernest Shackleton – Recruiting for The Endurance
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