Weekly Highlights
Highlight from this weeks articles, conversations and creative inspirations from Rosie Lee and our community. Opening the lid on topics, news and inspirations that affect our thinking and our work.
This week's conversation with storyteller Leila sparked some timely thoughts on branding's evolution and why cultural context drives real relevance. We explored how brands can become more human, AI's creative role, and the constant tension between creative vision and commercial reality.
This week has also seen is reconnecting with friends in Shanghai and some strategic planning with old friends in the US. Like a lot of other creative agencies we’re already getting our heads down, trying to sure up the final sprint of 2025.
As we’ve mentioned before, we have been working through our portfolio to update with the last year or so of work and so we also thought it was perfect timing for a small RLG website update. We've refreshed our platform with recent projects, podcasts, and a clearer view of how we work. Sometimes stepping back for a while shows how much ground you've covered.
Unorthodox Blend
UBA104 - Service x Success
As a Creative agency, we have often discussed here the push and pull of strategy and creative roles within our organisation, but there is another crucial relationship that we talk about a little less. The agency's relationship with the client - there is a delicate tension in this, as we balance what is being briefed or pushed for by the client, versus what we believe to be something that the brand would benefit more from.
The sweet spot of course is somewhere in the middle, but navigating this is a fine art. In his article “Service x Success” Russell explores this further
Conversations
UBC037 - Leila Fataar
Leila Fataar is a specialist in culture-led brands and founder of Platform13, a consultancy that helps brands operate credibly within culture. With a career spanning strategy, creative, corporate leadership amongst other things, Leila has consistently championed the need for brands to exist within culture rather than just take from it. Her belief in the importance of authentic storytelling in branding is one of the (many!) reasons why Leila is inspirational to us
Rosie Lee News
Website Update
Rosie Lee Group
Our website has had a little update, and is a good place to check out all that the group has been doing lately - there’s a roundup of projects, podcasts and a reminder of what services our group can offer
Football City, Art United
Manchester International Festival’s latest exhibition, Football City, Art United, opens at Aviva Studios and brings together legends of football and luminaries of the art world. Co-curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Juan Mata, and Josh Willdigg, the show builds on their 2023 collaboration and asks: what happens when the worlds of sport and art collide?
Dennis Morris: Music + Life Opens
Intimate portraits of Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, and life in post-war Britain take centre stage in an epic new exhibition.
Sean Wotherspoon Iconic Porsche 911 Carrera a makeover
In a vibrant collision of fashion and automotive design, Sean Wotherspoon has transformed a classic Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7RS into a multicolored, material-rich statement piece. Commissioned by collector Philip Sarofim, the project took eight months and saw every visible surface of the car reupholstered in signature Wotherspoon style.
If you have any inspirations that you’d like featured on UB, then please share them with us.
News from our friends
Design Education Now
On Friday 26 September at 6 PM on the Us By Night Main Stage, friend Mitch Paone will host “Design Education Now”, an open panel conversation exploring the evolving landscape of design education, supported by Monkey Type. He’ll be joined by leading educators from across Europe, including Alexia Mathieu (HEAD – Genève), Angelo Benedetto (ECAL), Roosje Klap (formerly KABK), Jonas Voegeli (ZHdK), and Florian Lamm (Lamm & Kirch).
For more info and conference tickets:
https://www.usbynight.be/artist/monkey-type/
Work with us
We’re always open to meeting new people, whether you’re a potential collaborator, client, friend or inspiration. Get in touch if you’d like to talk.