Shows
AW360Creative Grit & Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ian Millner on Leading with Purpose at Iris
Recorded live at Advertising Week Europe 2025 from 180 Studios in London, this episode of the AW360 Podcast features a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation with Ian Millner, Founder of Iris Worldwide.
Ian reflects on building one of the world’s most recognized creative agencies and what it’s like returning to lead in a completely transformed landscape. We explore why entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for startups, how large brand teams can adopt a founder’s mindset, and what truly scalable collaboration looks like. Ian also shares lessons from his own podcast Entrepreneurs in the Wild, and the wildest adventur...
2025-04-0424 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildHow strategy has shaped the global success of IrisToday’s episode of Entrepreneurs In The Wild is the third and final installment in the Iris 25 festive mini-series. Host Ian Millner leads a conversation exploring how strategy, participation, and planning have shaped Iris’s journey and their impact on the industry.Ben Essen, Global Chief Strategy Officer at Iris, Karen Correia da Silva, Senior Strategy Director, and John Grant, experienced strategist and author, join Ian to share their expertise. Ben reflects on Iris’s evolving strategy, from experimentalism to market-leading brand strategies, always grounded in participation.Karen discusses how culture mediates MarComms, with soc...
2024-12-1839 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildHow creativity shaped the success of Iris - and how it can navigate the AI landscapeWinner in the Creating & Marketing category of the 2024 Signal Awards, Entrepreneurs In The Wild unveils the second part of the Iris 25 festive mini-series. Host Ian Millner explores how Iris has become one of the world’s most influential creative marketing agencies over its 25-year history. This episode dives into the intersection of creativity and culture in an industry undergoing a major shift due to AI.The panel includes four pivotal figures: Grant Hunter and Shaun McIlrath, who bring 30 years of senior leadership at Iris, and two rising stars, ECD Katy Hopkins and Global CCO Menno Kluin.
2024-12-1630 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildHow leadership and culture have contributed to the global success of Iris.Today’s episode of Entrepreneurs In The Wild is the first in an Iris festive mini-series, hosted by Ian Millner. It explores how leadership, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit have powered Iris to become a global force over 25 years.Ian is joined by Iris co-founders Claire Humphris, former CEO of Iris London, and Adam Wright, former key player at Iris now Managing Director of Big Potato Games, as well as Zoe Eagle, newly appointed CEO of Iris London.Together, they reflect on the company’s early days, marked by youthful chaos and an emphasis on cli...
2024-12-1331 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildFrom after school gamer to multi-million agency founderToday Ian is joined on the wild side by ex-pro gamer, co-founder and CEO of NewGen agency Mike Craddock. For Mike it all started with video games, quickly becoming a gaming influencer from his bedroom. After building a strong network of influencer and content creator friends, Mike soon began to negotiate their sponsorship deals.Realising there was something in bridging the gap for his friends, this naturally led to Mike co-founding his own talent management company, Kairos Talent. But Mike’s business has had many identities during its rapid growth. What started as ta...
2024-07-1036 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildIan Priest, Richard Branson and the 7-year itchIs there an infamous 7-year itch? Today Ian Priest, founder and the ‘P’ in VCCP joins us on the wild side. Now the CEO of charity Onwards & Upwards, when he discusses his illustrious career journey to the EITW podcast studio today, the entrepreneurial spirit is tangible. Growing up within an entrepreneurial family, Priest was familiar with the high and lows of running a business from a young age. We learn that the environment you grow up in affects the way you perceive and navigate risk, which in turn reflects in your willingness to do what’s needed...
2024-07-0346 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildUnlocking the potential of people and partnershipsRobert White and Stewart Hilton are the founders of ZEAL Creative, winners of Agency of the Year at the 2023 IPM Awards. Since launching in 2014, the duo have elevated ZEAL Creative to their status as one of the UK’s most influential and inspiring agencies, with particular expertise in the FMCG section. From its humble roots, ZEAL Creative now consists of almost 100 employees split between offices in Manchester and London, with a people-first attitude at the heart of their philosophy. ZEAL’s mission is to build the world’s most recommended agency. They create campaigns that help som...
2024-06-2640 min
Entrepreneurs in the Wild“Nothing great was ever achieved by setting reasonable expectations” The wild career ride of Eduardo MaruriToday Ian welcomes new Iris Creative Chair Eduardo Maruri to the Wild Side.Originally from Ecuador, Eduardo has held some incredible roles across the world before Iris - all united by one thing: raw passion. When taking Ian through his career to date, we quickly realise he’s taken his creativity and passion everywhere - from leaving a Marketing Manager role to set up his own agency at 23 to running for Ecuadorian Congress to even being a football chairman. It becomes clear that in periods of adversity, Eduardo’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through. When others might sell...
2024-06-1942 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildPut passion first and the business will followToday Ian is joined on the Wild Side by organisational psychologist John Amaechi. When John takes us on his career journey, we quickly feel his sporting entrepreneurial spirit coming through. Simply being told “you can’t” inspired one kid from Stockport to be the first Brit to make it in the NBA and the other, Ian Millner to co-found one of the world’s best advertising agencies, Iris. After a decorated NBA career, John got back in tune with one of his lifelong passions - psychology. Pursuing this formally at Penn State, John then formed his consultancy...
2024-06-1250 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildExtraordinary stories with fashion & events legend Sara Blonstein: NEWGENAs the pivotal producer behind British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN showspace since 2016, an initiative central to London Fashion Weeks, Sara Blonstein extends a far-reaching cultural impact over the industry. The founder of Blonstein Creative Productions, Sara has helped launch the careers of Gareth Pugh, Henry Holland, Richard Quinn, Saul Nash, and LABRUM (the latter three all winners of The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design) and catwalk producer for designers Molly Goddard, Roksanda, and has taken over Harlem for Ozwald Boateng OBE. For British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN, she excels at nurturing young designers, including 2022 LVMH Prize winner S.S...
2024-06-0538 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildFrom Music media mogul to M&A disruptorShould the entrepreneur wait for the perfect opportunity, or create their own?Andy Day, founder and CEO of Capital A & agencies.co joins Ian on the Wild Side today. As a serial entrepreneur, let Andy take you on a rollercoaster journey from aspiring 90s band member to moving to London with nothing to disrupting the M&A industry today.Andy’s entrepreneurial spirit has always been there - perhaps without always knowing it himself. We hear about Andy starting out at MTV new music sourcing, and getting a flavour for the music business. Th...
2024-05-2936 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildChallenging the investor status quoHow do ambitious businesses land investor backing?Daina Spedding joins Ian on the Wild Side to help answer this fundamental question. As an Investor at BGF passionate about bringing more diversity and inclusion to the whole industry, Daina tells us how picking companies to back can sometimes be like speed-dating. She shares that ‘gut-feel’ has such an important part to play along with her four measures of business success.Beyond investor ‘red flags’, Daina has very clear ideas on the traits of successfulentrepreneurs. She shares which traits she and BGF look for...
2024-05-2239 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildEruption or disruption? Opening Pandora’s BoxIf we train AI so well it sounds like us, who does the IP belong to?Today Ian welcomes Professor Michael G Jacobides from the London Business School to join him on the wild side. As a leading business mind globally, and expert in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship, he reveals his journey to the studio today.Starting in economics, Michael moved into the strategy and entrepreneurship space because he was fascinated by the reasons why there are so many different approaches to business and why some succeed, some skyrocket and some fail.
2024-05-1545 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildAdvertising: the 5-year plan: There is no plan!Today Ian welcomes IPA Director General, Paul Bainsfair to the wild side.With almost forty years in the industry, Paul takes us through his advertising journey. From starting out at Saatchi & Saatchi (yes, the 80s really happened!) to founding his own agencies, all the way to championing diversity at the IPA today.Entrepreneurs are everywhere across the creative economy. Ian and Paul pull apart the differences between owning your own business and applying that same entrepreneurial spirit successfully within big agencies and the good habits that come from both.Having been...
2024-05-0941 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildRun towards the adversityThis week Ian is joined by fellow Iris co-founder, friend and ultra-runner Claire Humphris. Now CEO of Iris London, Claire and Ian discuss the Iris origin story. After taking the jump to be Iris employee number 1, she talks through her early career and the opportunities you can create when you’re the person who puts their hand up to do the hard things. They then discuss the importance of creating your own luck, so much so that you make yourself indispensable, even when things seem against you.We learn how important the entrepreneurial spirit is...
2024-05-0139 min
Human Powered: High-performing agency & consultancy teamsFocusing on culture & the journey to build a global agency - with Ian MillnerHow do you maintain an entrepreneurial spirit in a global marketing agency?
Ian Millner is Co-Founder & Global Chair at Iris, a business he started 25 years ago and which he’s helped grow to 1000 people across 17 countries.
In this episode, Ian shares how he:
Achieved the right balance between enjoying the journey and heading towards a shared destination
Brought together the right team with the right chemistry at the very start - which naturally attracted clients
Created a shared ownership structure to drive motivation and loyalty within the team (peaking at 50 shareholders)
Allowed people to...
2024-04-3038 min
The Courageous Leaders PodcastIan Millner: Visionary Leadership: Moving Beyond Caution and ControlIn episode 100 of the podcast, I speak with Ian Millner, Co-founder and Chair of Iris.Join us whilst we discuss the importance of culture and having an employee brand that is exciting and visceral and that makes employees feel like they are a valuable part of the organisation.Ian also shares the 3 pillars of effective leadership and what it means to lean into theseprinciples as leaders.Key takeaways include:● The frustration of seeing leaders being too cautious in their leadership● Why you need to invest in an Employee Valu...
2024-04-2533 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildOn the Wild Side with John FarrellThis week, Ian is joined on the wild side by John Farrell, a bonafide advertising legend. Together, they delve into the fascinating story of their shared history at IMP, a launchpad for some of today’s most influential business leaders and marketing agency founders. They explore the diverse pathways and personalities behind entrepreneurial success and the crucial role of adaptability required in dynamic environments.John shares profound insights from his illustrious career, from his ascent to Managing Director at 26 to his expertise in leading business negotiations, driving agency mergers and acquisitions across the globe. His unparalleled ex...
2024-04-2239 min
Entrepreneurs in the WildOn the Wild Side with Annika BizonThis week Ian is joined on the Wild Side by Samsung Mobile’s Head of Marketing and Omnichannel Annika Bizon. Together they discuss the importance of drive, the right mindset and how pivotal AI will be for the future of tech now that it’s firmly in the hands of the consumer. They discuss their shared belief that there’s an entrepreneur but also what sets some people apart. We also learn the importance of having a voice and how Annika is breaking down the barriers of gender equality. We then hear about the Samsung Galaxy S24 and just how it’...
2024-04-0833 min
Let's Do The Right ThingIan MillnerIan Millner is the Chair and Co-Founder of Iris Worldwide, a leading marketing agency, doing extraordinary things and operating as an alternative to the ad-led supergroups. This is a conversation with ideas and people at its core, and it's clear that part of Ian's success is down to his passion for enabling cultures driven by creativity and curiosity. For anyone thinking about starting their own agency, this is an absolute must-listen. Presented by Adam Hopkinson.https://www.maplestreetcreative.co.uk/https://www.pashn.media/https://radioworks.co.uk/ Hosted on...
2024-03-0128 min
Tradie Connection PodcastThe importance of applying S009 and adhering to its guidelinesIn this episode of the Tradie Connection Podcast, we listen in on a webinar hosted by key members in the cabling industry. Paul Stathis, BICSI and Ian Millner, consultant, both members of the committee that wrote the regulations, talk about why it’s important that all registered cablers adhere to the cabling regs. They run through what’s in the regulations as well as why cowboys in the industry are hurting the people doing the right thing. This is followed by an extensive Q&A session with cablers asking their most pressing questions.
2023-08-171h 01
Working Class to World ClassFrom a Derbyshire boy to a leader of a global marketing business, with Ian MillnerJoin me this week as I talk with Ian Millner, Co-Founder of Global Marketing agency iris on how adopting a risk positive attitude, facing problems front on and nurturing the talent around you, can help to achieve global success.
2023-02-1649 min
Working Class to World ClassFrom a Derbyshire boy to a leader of a global marketing business, with Ian MillnerJoin me this week as I talk with Ian Millner, Co-Founder of Global Marketing agency iris on how adopting a risk positive attitude, facing problems front on and nurturing the talent around you, can help to achieve global success.
2023-02-1649 min
Andy Day‘s M&A/Q&AM&A/Q&A How to close M&A deals and build a $100m agency business with Ian MillnerIan Millner is CEO of Iris Worldwide a globally agency he founded over 20 years ago. Ian has turned Iris into a powerhouse agency, doing over $100m in revenue annually. He has made multiple acquisitions, acquiring an agency virtually every year, as well as being acquired by Samsung owned agency Cheil Worldwide. Ian is a really down to earth guy and there's tons to learn from him, including, when it comes to acquisitions, just get started.
2022-03-2839 min
Legends of S.H.I.E.L.D.: A Marvel Studios TV & Film Fan Podcast"All Souled Out" S2E5 & "The Basement" S2E6 Luke Cage Review (A Marvel Fancast) LoS348The Legends Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Producer SP and Agent Michelle discuss the Netflix series Luke Cage season 2 episodes “All Souled Out” and “The Basement” as well as some important Marvel news since the last recording session. The Agents debrief you on the High Noon showdown in Harlem, the personal appearance turn Hero For Hire opportunity, Foggy Nelson’s guest appearance and mystery disappearance, the lucrative Ebay market for Defenders related memorabilia, Bushmaster’s savagery, the Stylers lack of covertness, Mariah’s continued unraveling and delusions, Shades and Che’s intense and revealing barbershop conversation, fighting honey badgers an...
2020-09-071h 00
Uncensored CMOThe impact of covid-19 on an ad agency - Ian MillnerIan Millner is global CEO and co-founder of Iris - one of the most successful independent agencies in the UK. He set the agency up 20 years ago as a partnership with his co-founders and it now boasts some of the world’s most famous brands such as Samsung and Adidas. A genuine multi-disciplinary agency with offices around the World iris have successfully moved with the times.In this episode we coverIntroduction – how Ian is doing!Impact – how the virus affected businessChallenges – what have been the biggest challenges this crisis has created for the agency, given the budg...
2020-05-2624 minUncensored CMOHow to run an ad agency - Ian MillnerIan Millner is global CEO and co-founder of iris one of the most successful independent agencies in the UK. He set the agency up 20 years ago as a partnership with his co-founders and it now boasts some of the world’s most famous brands such as Samsung and Adidas. A genuine multi-disciplinary agency with offices around the World iris have successfully moved with the times.In this episodeWhy agencies get the clients they deserveThe importance of genuine diversity and how it contributes to innovationWhy a good pitcher does not always make a good partnerFinding sources of...
2019-12-161h 06Uncensored CMOUncensored CMO launches on 16th DecemberWhen I say CMO what do you think of? I know, for me, I think boardroom politics. I think carefully managed messages. I think slick presentations. But what I don't get is, I don't get an honest answer. I don't get to know what they really think. I don't get to know how have they got where they are today, and what has shaped and influenced their career. And that got me thinking, wouldn't it be great if we had a podcast that asked some of the tough questions that get to the heart of what's going on. One...
2019-11-0502 min