Marcus B.

About

I help brands move like water in the age of Generative AI, focusing on the 1% of instinct, craft, and human truth that no model can replicate. Art Director and Designer at Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, TBWA, Publicis Sapient and VML Y&R. Worked on global brands from Guinness and Honda to Schweppes and Nike. Most recently Head of Art and AI at Thinkerbell, helping to grow the agency from 18 to 180 people and led AI adoption across the business.Many Gen AI voices come from the tech side. Mine comes from 20 years of craft, a lead designer and Photoshop Expert and four generations of creatives. My grandad set type in molten lead. My uncle laid out posters with Letraset and a scalpel. My father screen-printed for U2 and Guinness. I pushed pixels like my dad pushed ink. Every generation faces a "creative panic" when a new tool arrives.  I’ve learned that the "expert mind" is a liability; the only way forward is to reclaim a Beginner’s Mind, asking the child’s question, "What could this become?" In a world drowning in synthetic content, authenticity is the only growth strategy. I don't just teach the tools; I help brands find the intentionality and empathy that makes technology meaningful. AI isn’t a replacement for creativity; it’s an amplifier. Tech doesn't tell stories. Humans do.I built a Tesla spec ad from 130 images in 18 hours. A Jaguar spoof I made reached 13 million views. Published four eBooks of AI 101 creative practice secrets for Midjourney and Nano Banana available on Apple Books and Gumroad.Work featured in prestigious publications such as The Guardian, Wired, Trendhunter, Designboom, Gizmodo and Cool Hunting.Work has been shared by Jonathan Haidt and Jeremy Clarkson. I have contributed to work that has been recognised at every award show including Cannes Lions, Clio, One Show, NY Festivals, D&AD, Caxtons, London International, Spikes and W3.Speaker on AI at Cairns Crocodiles, Abe Show, House of GAI, AGDA, RMIT and KPMG. Board Member: AI:OK. Current Consulting & Advisory: Creative Partner at Leonardo AI, Imagine Art, Weavy, and Hailuo. Services: Creative Direction, AI Creative Consulting, Generative AI Artist for Film Pre-vis & Pitch Development, Hybrid Creative Projects and Pipelines, Executive Advisory, Workshops, and Keynote Speaking.I have a keen interest in how technology and art can influence human behaviour for good in the world. An AI optimist, an advocate for AI that is ethical, transparent, and with respect for the craft to elevate the creative.