5N30 S2 Ep 2: Lessons from Childhood with Jeff Benjamin and Matt Macdonald

Great Guns USA and LBB today release the second episode of 5N30 season two, the panel series that celebrates the creative spirit of the industry - and the personalities that keep it moving forward. Talking ‘anything but advertising’, this week’s panel shares their wisdom on everything from the power of being provocative to the importance of enjoyment in their careers.

Joining Great Guns USA’s MD Oliver Fuselier and LBB’s COO Phoebe Siggins for this instalment are Jeff Benjamin, CCO at Tombras, and Matt Macdonald, CCO at BBDO New York.

In this episode, our panellists discuss how their childhoods shaped them as leaders, the happy accidents that have altered the course of their careers, their most inspirational - and most annoying - words, the habits they developed over the pandemic, and what makes them stand out. As a bonus, Jeff ponders the influence of mentors on his life, the ways the pandemic has changed his interactions with creatives, production teams, and clients, and the advice he would give to his ten year old self.

Tune in to hear how Jeff’s childhood activities, from organising a paper aeroplane competition to litter picking, foretold his career in the industry, and how Matt’s college experience at the NFA National Championship Tournament - competing against the likes of Jessica Chastain - helps him to communicate his ideas today.