Sunshine and clear skies were a fitting setting at a recent Fig Lunch, for one of the industries most original thinkers, Michael Wolff.

Over chicken and broad bean salad, Michael reminded all of us why we got into the ‘design - brand - ideas’ industry in the first place.

With stories from an illustrious career from small boutique design agency to global corporate behemoth, to current rock star consultant status.

Most inspiring, was Michael’s challenge to the industry as a whole. Could we apply in-house skills and know-how to issues and concerns that lay beyond the confines of the A4 client brief?  And, when would we step out of the comfort zone and expand our mandate towards solving real world problems for real people?

Lynda Relph-Knight gives her views on the design industry.

After we all tucked into a hearty spread, Lynda spoke to us about how she feels the design industry has changed in her 21 year role as editor of Design Week, and where she sees the industry and Design Week going in the future. Hot topics were a return to craft and hand-drawn illustration, which was reflected in this years' Design Week Awards. Lynda also spoke of what she has witnessed in the economic downturn, and the positive and negative consequences resulting from this. Positives being the emergence of start-up businesses in recent months, and the importance of the digital and interactive world in all aspects of the design industry.

All interesting stuff, and thanks to Lynda for talking to us.

3 February 2010

It was hard to concentrate until lunchtime as the smell of lemon, rosemary and garlic wafted through the air. After a long hunger break, the Figlunch finally returned with our new Sicilian gourmet chef, Ugo. He served up his roast chicken specialty with a variety of Italian delicacies, tempting even the most hardcore of us veggie Figs.

Stanley Moss gave us insights into the challenge of over branding and the importance of quiet branding. His view on the fundamental shifts in the industry and his aversion for visually polluting brands got us all thinking twice and inspired much lively debate.

Thanks for the great insights and the delicious food guys!

Undercover graphic designer and head of brand at McLaren Racing, John Allert speaks to Figs of life in the last lane.

11 November 2009

From the moment John opened his mouth, two things were clear: 1. he was Australian, and 2. he was talented. At the tender age of 26, he was responsible for managing 50 people, and that was just the beginning.

John took us on a journey through his high speed career and what its like heading up marketing for one of the most prestigious teams to take up a Formula 1 grid slot. The money involved is mind-blowing; the celebrity shoulder-rubbing enviable; but expectations are high and mistakes are unforgiving. From jumping continents to Spygate crisis management, John proved that being thrown in the deep end is not just the best way to learn, its also the quickest way to the top.

Once the interrogation about paddock gossip and pinch-me-moments was over, we let John get back to savouring his lasagne with a light serving of baked fennel salad.

Thanks to John for leaving many a Fig starry-eyed and turbocharged.

As the Figs swallowed their last mouthfuls of Araxie's mouthwatering lamb and beef stuffed vegetables, they learned quite how important it was to be cutting down on their meat consumption...amongst other things. These were hard facts to swallow indeed.  The sustainable development charity, Forum for the Future (set up by Jonathan Porrit), sent Fiona Bennie to teach us more about why imperative action is needed to significantly boost global sustainability; and how we as individuals and as a company can help.  We all need to hear these things. Thank you Fiona - as a first, expect to see more vegetarian dishes on Araxie's Fig menus, and I for one will be training it, not flying next year to the Alps with my family.

2 September 2009

Thanks to you Specialmoves!

8 July 2009

Marketing Society Chairman and current TOM TOM Chief Marketing Officer Alex Batchelor broke bread with Figtree at the weekly Fig lunch.

Over Araxie the cook's grandmother's recipe for stuffed peppers and yogurt, Alex imparted words of advice and wisdom about marketing, big business, staying honest and how not to grow a successful agency. For those of you who know one of the UK's most persuasive marketeers he was in fine form and his fondness for marketing metaphors is as strong as ever.

Thank you Alex!

The London artist and wordsmith, Paul Davis regaled Figtree with his words and images at the weekly Fig lunch.

31 July 2009

In his characteristic, unstoppable flow, Davis shared with Fig his words, images, thoughts and ideas. Davis just IS, and over Araxie's mouth watering fish pie, Paul showed how the expression of an idea need have no boundaries. For those who know this internationally established and most prolific "observer", he is all that his art work suggests and more. The lunch was lively, eye-opening, charming and long.

Thank you so much Paul!