On today’s episode, Hank Smith, Director of Strategy at Smith Gifford, talks to Shannon about the creative process behind building campaigns that are both unconventional and effective. They dive into Smith Gifford’s journey as a long-standing ad agency, how their team balances fun with strategy, and why embracing AI is shaping the future of marketing. From quirky campaign ideas to bold brand moves, Hank shares how his agency stays innovative while keeping results at the core.
Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:
How Smith Gifford developed its reputation for “out-of-this-world” creativity.
Hank explains that Smith Gifford has always leaned into being bold and different — even describing their ideas as if they “came from another planet.” But what sets them apart is how they pair that wild creativity with a grounded sense of fun and relevance, making sure clients’ brands stand out without losing connection to the audience.
Why strategy is just as important as bold ideas in advertising.
Creativity alone doesn’t make campaigns successful. Hank emphasizes that every campaign his team creates starts with clear goals and measurable results in mind. The fun ideas come first to capture attention, but strategy ensures those ideas actually move the needle for clients.
How AI tools are influencing the way agencies think, create, and deliver.
In their discussion, Hank and Shannon touch on the growing role of AI in the industry. Hank shares that while AI is changing how agencies brainstorm and execute creative work, the true value comes from knowing how to use those tools with a human-first approach — making ideas smarter, faster, and more effective.
About Hank Smith & Smith Gifford:
- Website: https://www.smithgifford.com/
- Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themrhanksmith/