#WFH Diaries: Adam Harriden of INVNT
As confinement continues in most parts of the world, we're checking in with creative people to see how they're faring. Here's an update from Adam Harriden, executive creative director at INVNT.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
The non-titled creative thinker who solves some of the world's leading marketing challenges, but I am not really sure how. Most days, I look back and think, "How did I come up with that idea?" I believe creativity is something you're born with. There isn't a formula; it's just your thing.
Where are you living right now, and who's with you?
The Noosa hinterlands in Queensland, Australia, with my wife, two daughters, son, dog and chickens.
What's your work situation like at the moment?
Challenging, limitless, confronting. Each day is filled with uncertainty and drive. I approach each day as a chance to define our future or watch it sink. When I think about it, that's kind of been my life. You live or die by every brief you take on, so this is no different. Love it.
Describe your socializing strategy.
I am limiting it to as little as possible. I am not forcing myself into a virtual world. I look for windows of human interaction and make the most of them: Getting a morning coffee, striking up a conversation at the bottle shop (haha), being with my family, jumping in the surf. We can still keep it real.
How are you dealing with childcare, if applicable?
I have three little kids, so it's bloody tough right now. The only way I survive is with the support of my wife. She's my backbone and somehow handles the three kids as they rip the house apart. That allows me to do my job.
What are you reading?
Two great books. One is Adam Ferrier's Stop Listening to the Customer. The other is Once in a Lifetime Is Now, The Monkeys' internal staff book which Justin Drape was amazing enough to send to me to read.
What are you watching?
The Innocence Files. I love hearing about justice and those who beat the system.
What are you listening to?
How are you staying fit?
Surfing as much as I can, my three kids, and three acres of land.
Have you taken up a hobby?
No, just the above.
Any tips for getting necessities?
No, we're lucky enough to have most of our needs still being met with small businesses being open and available to us.
An awkward moment since all this started.
When I dressed in drag for a virtual team trivia and my son thought I was his mum.
Best work email you got since all this started.
"Amazing mate. You and Brea should be very proud!!!! I am…" A note from our CEO, Scott Cullather, after our submissions for the UN's creative call-out to help stop the spread of Covid-19 made it into AdNews.
An aha! moment since all this started.
Virgin Airlines going under in Australia. I thought, "Holy sh*t, a brand that big can go under because of a virus!"
What's your theory on how this is going to play out?
This is the planet's way of saying "give me a break." The planet will be cleaner, we'll be smarter, life will return to normal, and it's something we'll look back on and say how lucky we are that we survived it.
