We are Duffree

A New Viewpoint: Perspectives

A New Viewpoint: Perspectives What is Perspectives? Our content series designed to give business leaders, marketers, influencers and culture shapers a ‘view in’ on what they need to be thinking about and how to take action right NOW. Welcome onboard the video experience from We are Duffree, a creative production agency creating content as a force for good and communicating social change and climate action. We harness our ideas to create progressive work for every living soul on the planet, offering a fresh perspective and contributing to systemic change. In a series of impactful, thought-provoking conversations, our founder Mitchell sits down with industry leaders, free-thinking changemakers and fearless activists. Together, they catapult listeners into a limitless universe of unique perspectives which inspire, challenge and shake up the status quo. Get ready for a shift in perspective.

Make change happen by connecting your head with your heart.

Make change happen by connecting your head with your heart. 
 Freedom Firewoman. Two words were used by an indigenous elder to describe our newest guest Daphne Laan (ex-Google head of Technology, Ecosystem and Partnerships). 
 Anyone familiar with her story will immediately agree that no other words capture her essence quite as perfectly. 
 “I think we make change happen by connecting your head with your heart. Because if your heart's not into the things you do, I don't think you can change something to the positive.” 
 Daphne is a business leader, tech executive, film producer and traveller, who’s been breaking glass ceilings in male-dominated industries for over two decades now. 
 She is the Managing Director of the award-winning Down_to_Earth_Collective as well as the co-founder of The Board Whisperers, an initiative promoting diversity and inclusion within the boardrooms of Dutch companies. 
 Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience.

Engineering change through the power of narratives.

Engineering change through the power of narratives. Krizna Gomez is an exceptional Impact Strategist and Narratives Expert working internationally within the fields of human rights and social justice. We are excited to welcome her to this week’s episode of Perspectives. “Narrative work for me entails not being afraid of your emotions and the emotions of the people you're trying to reach.” First as a human rights lawyer and now an intersectional narratives expert, Krizna is a vessel for innovative change-making, working with various NGOs, organisers and social change actors, and pushing for greater impact in their work through the use of narratives and smart communications. Her wisdom and forward-thinking ideas are adorned by her infectious spirit, inspiring us even further to take action and make the world a better place. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

How forward-thinking and action-taking mentality helps find creativity in all realms of life.

How forward-thinking and action-taking mentality helps find creativity in all realms of life. Perspectives guest Ron Simpson is a creative force if there ever was one. With a career background spanning music, nightlife, entrepreneurship, gastronomy, marketing and now also as an inspirator to others, he is a proactive industry titan who manages to find creativity in all realms of life. “If a marketeer starts a restaurant it’s going to be a brand. I don't know how to just start a restaurant. I know how to start brands. “ One of the most celebrated fruits of Ron’s creativity is his international restaurant franchise @The Avocado Show, while his latest venture Skybox is an eclectic inspiration platform, bringing together a community of outstanding industry professionals who are sharing their knowledge and expertise in sessions that are attainable and affordable for all professionals. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

How can brands make more sincere visual content that changes people’s mindsets | Perspectives with Safi Graauw

How can brands make more sincere visual content that changes people’s mindsets? Film director, earth scientist and inspiring intersectional environmentalist Safi Graauw joins us this week on an all-new episode of Perspectives. “It's always been stories about nature. It's always been the type of story that changes people's perspective on their environment.” Safi weaves strong narratives and stunning aesthetics with purpose-led ideology, creating content that has won prizes at international film festivals and earned him numerous accolades. As a self-taught director, he may sometimes depart from traditional methods and has never been afraid to do things differently. He takes his creative cues not from directors before him, but the world around him and our conversation is a true journey through his free-thinking and captivating mind. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Radical change needs to happen now for companies to stay afloat. | Perspectives with Maxine Penney

Radical change needs to happen now for companies to stay afloat. People-magnet, networker, and entrepreneur Maxine Penney is here to share her infectious spirit and wisdom on this week’s episode of Perspectives. “Radical change needs to happen and it needs to happen now, otherwise brands and companies are going to get left behind.” Maxine launched her career working for brands like Nike and Phillips, before finding her calling in promoting and recruiting for local creative industries. She now finds herself as the Culture Manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Media.Monks and is at the heart of Amsterdam’s growing web of diverse and dynamic talent. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Businesses adopting circularity will be the companies of the future | Perspectives with Martijn Lopes Cardozo

Businesses adopting circularity will be the companies of the future. Martijn Lopes Cardozo, the CEO of Circle Economy has an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approach that brought him away from commercial work and straight to the forefront of the rapidly developing and highly crucial movement of the circular economy. “Companies who help solve environmental issues and adopt circular strategies are much more resilient and they will be the companies of the future.” Circle Economy, a company that focuses on implementing sustainable solutions and interventions within industries and societies, converting the economies of cities from linear to fully circular. Circle Economy has already begun transforming about 20 cities, including Amsterdam. We sat down with Martijn to discuss the importance of circularity and hear his expert prognoses. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Follow We are Duffree and stay up to date on all the latest episodes!

From Field Worker to Marketing Director at War Child Holland

From Field Worker to Marketing Director at War Child Holland. Around the world, there are currently 160 million children growing up with the consequences of war. Our new guest Ernst Suur is on a mission to change this. “You can give a child a bed to sleep in, but if you are still awake every night because of nightmares, you can't grow up as a healthy human being.” First as a field worker in conflict-affected territories, now as Director of Marketing and Fundraising here in the Netherlands, Ernst is committed to amplifying War Child Holland's efforts through a number of visual campaigns, fundraisers and ambassador activations. With the current state of unrest in the world, we cannot think of a more fitting and informed guest to bring light to the dramatic issues experienced by children of war. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Creating advertising which breaks the mould and challenges stereotypes.

Creating advertising which breaks the mould and challenges stereotypes. Advertising professional and trailblazer Laura Visco joins us this week on Perspectives. She is the Executive Creative Director at 72andSunny Amsterdam and an absolute artistic powerhouse. “I'm constantly pushing to make advertising that breaks the mould and breaks the stereotypes.” For Laura, creativity is a vehicle through which to challenge the status quo. She firmly believes advertising can be an agent for social change, reshaping cultural narratives and people’s perceptions. We explore her views on gender equality, toxic masculinity, diversity and representation in a conversation that is both informative and inspiring. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Insider’s perspective of the challenges facing underrepresented founders in finance and tech. This week we sit down with entrepreneur Christina Caljé to talk about representation, role-modelling, and how to be comfortable in your skin in every boardroom, networking event, or business meeting. “Not only is running a company really difficult when you're a woman and a person of colour but getting to the point where you're in the position to run a company also presents challenges.” As a woman of colour cutting a formidable path in the tech world, Christina provides a valuable insight into the issues that prevail, and how we can work to address them. Aside from addressing the systemic change required for the industry to move forward, we also touch upon how individuals can make a difference, as well as the importance of role modelling and its potential to disrupt a whitewashed landscape of predominantly male founders. Tune in to this timely and important conversation. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

How cradle to cradle philosophy fuels the product design of the future

How cradle to cradle philosophy fuels the product design of the future. This week on Perspectives we are joined by Adriana Galijasevic, a designer, action researcher, innovator, educator and advocate for the circular economy in fashion based on the cradle to cradle principles. “Production needs to be powered by clean and renewable energy. If the system for that doesn't exist, we have to build it.” Adriana’s pioneering work with @G Star Raw received global recognition and in 2019 she was selected for Rivet's Influential 50. Recently, she started up Cocircular Lab to continue making her mark on the fashion industry in circular product innovation and circular ecosystem creation, powered by action research, systems thinking, collaboration and education. We are thrilled to have drawn from the wisdom of her incredible experience. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

How to avoid burnout and achieve a healthy work-life balance in the creative industry? Sit back, relax and enjoy the latest episode of Perspectives, with Executive Producer and Health & Wellness Coach Jaime Tan. “There's so much overlap between work, health and personal relationships. I love the coaching work that I do. And I really feel that it's important to help people really step into themselves and find who they really are.” Jaime has been the driving force behind Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam high-scale campaigns productions for over a decade, content for the most prominent international brands, including Nike, Facebookook and Heineken. She is also the founder of Enlightened Spoon, where she thrives in the roles of coach, nutritional therapist, yoga instructor and meditation teacher. Tune into the conversation to hear her views on mental health in the creative industry, explore the meaning of living a good life and find out some practical techniques for everyday stress management. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Purpose-driven filmmaking that inspires while reducing impact. Our new guest on Perspectives balances environmental responsibility with her calling as a storyteller. Andrea Walji is the Head of Content and Production at WaterBear Network and a true creative force to be reckoned with. “There are so many ways as producers and filmmakers, we can reduce our impact and still make really inspirational and compelling films to watch.” Andrea shares a glimpse into the backstage of WaterBear Network’s impactful productions, discusses her nature-filled childhood and purpose-driven career, stresses her deep commitment to animal rights and invites us even further into the crucial world of environmental protection. We are grateful for her timely insight and feel even more inspired to take on the fight for climate action. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

We are excited to share the grand finale of our creative collaboration with Tony's Chocolonely! Like us, Saikat Chakrabarti strongly believes that to change the world, you need to tackle the problems, not the symptoms. And to shake the system, he went straight to its heart: politics. Through the Brand New Congress scheme, Saikat helped launch hundreds of progressive candidates into congressional races, including NY representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), and initiated the Green New Deal for tackling climate change. Saikat joins host Amelia Høy in our final episode of Tony’s Chocolloquium. 10 minutes. 2 changemakers. 1 sweet solution. Because a fair world needs more than just fair chocolate.​ Click the link below to watch the full episode: https://www.weareduffree.com/new-blog/tonys-chocolloqium-episode5-saikat-chakrabarti

The inspiring Rixt Herklots, Director of The Next Women NL, joins us this week on an all-new episode of Perspectives. “What’s my dream? Well, the dream is a world of equality.” Rixt helps ensure a space in which knowledge, network, and capital can be accessed by women, establishing a business ecosystem of equal opportunities, equal role models, equal investments, and equal representation. Thanks to her relentless efforts, female entrepreneurs have wider access to the tools needed to thrive in male-dominated industries. Rixt is a feminist icon and we can’t wait to share this enriching and important conversation! Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Using narratives to connect and activate your audiences | Perspectives with Isabel Crabtree-Condor (Oxfam International)

Movement building and mobilisation - using narrative work to connect and activate your audiences. Our new guest on Perspectives is Isabel Crabtree-Condor - a cultural connector, narrative expert, and official knowledge broker at Oxfam for whom building bridges is second nature. ‘We're all reinforcing or reshaping narratives every day whether we're aware of it or not.’ Isabel is at the very intersection of change. Her role at Oxfam sees her traverse different cultures, languages, and backgrounds empowering individuals and communities to recognise their knowledge and put it towards good causes. Our conversation is a lesson on shaping narratives, and we learn about the tools that work to change paradigms. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

How to balance purposeful content with commercial bottom lines? We are joined this week by the indomitable Alex Bennett-Grant - co-founder and CEO of creative agency WE ARE Pi. “The closer you are to real people, the closer you are to real problems and real issues that you can be part of.” Alex is a brilliant thinker and astute cultural commentator who changes the advertising landscape, providing a platform for impact with the diverse output he oversees at WE ARE Pi. His awe-inspiring portfolio includes work for LEGO , TED, Channel 4 and many more. We talk to Alex about his international upbringing, the go-getter motivation behind starting his company, virtue signalling and how to balance purposeful content with commercial bottom lines. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

The power of culturally relevant stories for successful advertising | WeTransfer

Perspectives guest Rebecca Preuss is a purpose-driven storyteller, passionately championing brilliant artistic work by diverse emerging creators. “Content should always be much more substantial than just fluff and pretty pictures. I think people are generally interesting and they’ve got really great stories to tell.” As Global Content Partnerships Sales Manager at WeTransfer & WePresent (formerly BBC and MTV Australia ) Rebecca is behind some of the platform’s most exciting and visually striking collaborations. In an all-new episode, we discuss her international media background, activist campaigns, her passion for mental health awareness and the importance of corporate responsibility, especially within the creative industries. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!

Pride, Identity and a Fight for Equal Rights | Perspectives with Lucien Spee de Castillo Ruiz

🏳️‍🌈 In the new episode of Perspectives, we’re celebrating Pride Month with none other than Executive Director of Pride Amsterdam himself - the trailblazing Lucien Spee de Castillo Ruiz. 🏳️‍🌈 “If you have equal rights, but you're not able to come out of the closet at school or in your church or at sport, then we’ve still got a lot of things to do.” In this important conversation, we dive into the beginnings of Lucien’s career, his strong family foundations, the importance of fighting for one’s right to be authentically themselves and the actions that we all must take to ensure a more equal world for everyone. In Lucien’s words - it’s all about love, and we could not agree more. Click the link in the comments for the video and the extended audio experience. Like our page to stay up to date on all the newest episodes!