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326. Devon MacDonald on Leadership, Curiosity, and Creative Problem Solving
In this episode, Mike Brennan sits down with Devon MacDonald, president of Cairns Oneil, to explore how creativity shows up in media strategy, leadership, and problem-solving. Devon explains how a media agency helps place ads with the right creative context, why curiosity is a core professional skill, and how AI can support rather than replace original thinking.They also get into self-awareness, passion projects, and why the best creative work often comes from reframing a problem instead of repeating what has always been done.
3 Key Takeaways:
🎨 Curiosity Fuels Creativity – Devon emphasizes that innate curiosity is the number one skill for success in creative and agency spaces. Staying open to new experiences, learning across industries, and continually asking "what if?" unlocks both personal and professional growth. (13:15)
🎨 Creativity Belongs to Everyone – Creativity isn't limited to artists; it thrives in organization, strategy, and problem solving. Devon advocates recognizing all contributions as creative, from analytical work to innovative business processes, breaking down the myth that only final artistic outputs are "creative." (33:43)
🎨 Self-Awareness & Passion Projects Matter – Sustainable creativity relies on both self-awareness and allowing space for personal projects. Devon and Mike speak to carving out time for passion pursuits and self-exploration and how these investments recharge and enhance professional output. (42:06)
Episode Highlights:
06:09 – Devon reflects on early creative acts with woodworking and Lego, and the importance of improvisation in making.
13:15 – The critical role of curiosity in fostering innovation and staying agile in a fast-changing media landscape.
23:57 – How Devon leveraged self-awareness and cross-industry thinking to develop a groundbreaking AI integration in digital advertising.
33:43 – Challenging the narrow definition of creativity and recognizing the creative acts across all roles within an organization.
Guest Bio: Devon MacDonald, President Cairns Oneil Cairns Oneil is on a mission to change the way that media is planned and valued. Devon is the President of the agency, overseeing the vision, direction, and growth of the organization. Prior to leading Cairns Oneil, Devon led various companies in the media, creative and technology fields in the United States and Canada. He launched 360i in Canada and was previously the CEO of Mindshare. Devon is a sought after thought leader and speaker. He was a 2026 nominee for the Campaign Canada Media Agency Leader of the Year, and past recipient from Strategy. Devon is chair of the ICA Media Council, and Vice Char of the CMDC. Devon is also a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his work in the community.
Links and Resources:
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Cairns Oneil: www.cairnsoneill.com
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Devon MacDonald's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/devonmacdonald
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Devon McDonald's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_devon.macdonald/
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Mike Brennan's Website & Daily Creative Habit - https://mikebrennan.me
Inspired to ignite your own creative journey?
Be sure to subscribe to Creative Chats and leave a review—your support helps us bring more creative voices and insights to you. Want to reconnect with your creativity? Visit the Daily Creative Habit Membership at mikebrennan.me for resources and community to support your artistic growth. And don't forget to connect with Devon MacDonald to continue the conversation!
