Karan Dang

Pillar 4 at INNOCEAN USA CREATIVE FOCUSED, SCIENCE INFORMED Effective, meaningful work is the love child of science and creativity. When our ideas are backed by data, research, AI and insight, they resonate and become more effective. When art and science are equally employed, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

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I am genuinely grateful for the inspiring individuals around me who encourage and uplift others. One such remarkable person is Joy Chen (陈愉) Chen, the former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles. Recently, Joy co-authored a thought-provoking article with Angela Cheng-Cimini 鄭婷婷 on Harvard Business Review on how to recognize and unlock the leadership potential of Asian employees 🔓 Article: https://lnkd.in/g-jnvNHs Despite 60% of Asian Americans holding at least a bachelor’s degree and making up 13% of the professional workforce, they occupy only 1.5% of Fortune 500 corporate officer roles. Cultural values such as humility and respect for authority often clash with Western corporate norms, leading to stereotypes that view Asians as workers rather than leaders. This misalignment contributes to many Asian employees feeling a lack of belonging, resulting in disengagement and significant productivity losses 📉 Strategies for Change: ⭐ Cultural Competence Training: Train leaders to understand and respect cultural differences, encouraging mutual learning and mentoring. ⭐ Tailored Professional Development: Provide development opportunities that address the unique needs of Asian employees, helping them use their strengths while adapting to Western norms. ⭐ Merit-Based Promotions: Implement clear, fair advancement criteria and ensure Asian employees are included in informal networks. ⭐ Embrace Cultural Diversity: Value each person's unique contributions rather than fitting them into a mold, balancing individual and group values. ⭐ Market Expansion: Leverage Asian talent to explore new market opportunities and include their perspectives in strategic decisions. Addressing the underutilization of Asian talent is both an equity and business imperative. By implementing these strategies, companies can unlock the potential of their Asian employees, driving innovation, productivity, and growth. Creating an inclusive environment where diverse talents thrive will lead to greater organizational success and shareholder value. P.S. Joy came with gifts, including this little Brian Pang, PMP, and fresh eggs 🐣

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Reflecting on my journey as a creative, I've encountered my fair share of challenges. Early in my career I received unsolicited, unconstructive feedback that felt like a kick in the guts. It rattled me, shot my self-confidence, and even made me question my career choice. If only that feedback had been more thoughtful and geared towards positive change, perhaps I wouldn't have been so shaken up. It took years to shake off the negative self-talk from that throwaway remark. That's why I'm passionate about constructive criticism and fostering a culture of growth. Sharing this charter, which embodies those principles, feels like a step in the right direction. Let's create spaces where feedback is not just given, but given thoughtfully, with the intention of lifting each other up. Join me in embracing this mindset for positive change and sign the charter #loveourwork #australiancreatives #creativeAustralia #WomenInTechAU #WomenInDigitalAU #DigitalDesignAU

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AI-Generated Movie Sparks Controversy In a groundbreaking experiment, UCLA researchers used ChatGPT to write a sci-fi thriller script titled "The Final Warning." The AI-generated movie explored themes of alien invasion and destruction. However, the script's disturbing content left many readers feeling unsettled, forcing the researchers to pull it from public view. This unexpected reaction highlighted the potential risks and challenges of AI-generated content. The experiment has raised important questions about the future of AI in the entertainment industry. While AI models like ChatGPT can revolutionize content creation, they raise concerns about potential misuse. As we navigate this uncharted territory, it's crucial to consider the impact of AI-generated content on audiences and proceed with caution. What do you think about using AI in the entertainment industry? If you or your organization are ready to get super-sized with Generative AI, I offer a complimentary discovery chat with no strings attached. Book me here: https://bit.ly/thecarlos 😎 #TheFinalWarning #UCLA #ArtificialIntelligence #EntertainmentIndustry #ChatGPT

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NEW ESSAY : Sonic Dimensions Of Worldbuilding ~~~ on how worldbuilding and spatial design can expand through sound. https://lnkd.in/eM-Gu48S This works best if you hear the music examples, so for the full experience, head over to Substack. What’s your favorite example of how a brand, product, artist, movie, video game, etc uses sound to expand its world?

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If you work really hard and are often frustrated at slow or no progress, DO NOT READ THIS POST. "A piece of conceptual art consisting of a simple banana, duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at an auction in New York on Wednesday, with the winning bid coming from a prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur. Or, more accurately, the new owner purchased a certificate of authenticity that gives him the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it 'Comedian.'" Let that sink in for a minute. And now let's try and learn something from this, shall we? (I had to really think about this one. I knew something was there, but had to fight through some rage to find it.) If you find the right audience for what you create, you will always have a customer. That's the magic. Success doesn’t mean doing more, working harder, or getting it 100% right every time. It means being bold enough to put yourself out there, over and over again, until your unique banana brilliance connects with someone who sees its value. Frustrated? Me too. But maybe we need to use that frustration to lean into what makes us unique. Even our ideas that might feel too "out there." Keep going. Keep trying. Keep tweaking. Keep duct-taping your “bananas.” Your audience is out there, somwhere. And I hope one of them is a crazy-rich crypo-bro who can pay you $6 million for your talents!

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Ever had to defend your creative choices to a room full of non-creatives? Welcome to the life of an in-house Creative Director 🎨👔 Navigating feedback from the C-suite can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when execs don’t come from a creative background. Every creative leader I’ve talked to is facing this exact challenge nowadays, and it’s clearly a hot topic among members of the #DirectorsClub too. In our latest session, we delved into the art of handling creative feedback from the top brass. Check out this 2-minute snippet to get a taste of the discussion. Here’s what we covered: ⚔️ Choosing Your Battles "At what point do you fall on your design sword versus taking bad design choices to build a relationship?" -Steph (Krivitzky) Lusby 🏃 Setting Precedents Early "Be open from day one about how you critique things. Set a precedent for what people can expect from you" -Hunter Somerville 📊 Using Data to Justify Decisions "If we have research or data to support a decision, it’s much more compelling than just my opinion—even if I have a fancy title." Directors Club was born from the realization that while there are plenty of resources for tech leaders, Creative Directors don't have that same luxury. We’re here to change that by providing a space for creative leaders to share knowledge, get advice, and navigate the managerial jungle. If you’re a creative professional managing a team or who has managed a team, and you want to join this brainy, creative camaraderie, send me a message! We’re building a second cohort and I'm looking to add a few more members before we kick off. #CreativeLeadership #LeadershipInTech

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Three remarkable years with The IPG – A journey of growth and discovery! 🚀   I’m reflecting on the lessons that have not only shaped my career but also pushed me to become a better version of myself:   👉 Trust the process! 🪜 Growth isn’t always linear. Progress seems invisible sometimes, but every small step contributes to the bigger picture. Embrace the journey, trust your skills, and believe the dots will eventually connect.   👉 If everything is important, then nothing is! 🎯 Prioritisation is key in a world full of noise. I’ve learned that focusing on what truly matters drives real impact. Concentrating on the essentials can create work that resonates and leaves a lasting impression.   👉 Keep calm and carry on! 🧘‍♂️ Challenges are inevitable, but composure in adversity separates good from great. Staying calm allows us to navigate obstacles clearly and continue pushing forward, no matter the storm.   👉 Details make the difference! 🖌️ The magic often lies in the nuances. Investing time in the finer details can elevate a project from ordinary to extraordinary, setting us apart in a crowded field.   A huge shoutout to The IPG team for the inspiration, collaboration, and shared motivation over these past three years! 🎉 I’m eager to see what the future holds.   Let's keep creating magic together! ✨   #TheIPG #Anniversary #GrowthJourney #CreativeProcess #GraphicDesign #Marketing

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Today, in Tea™—an article by my former direct supervisor Richie Ryan Reyes on the importance of developing trust, empathy, and good organizational culture, and how founders can leverage those markers of mutual understanding (and their skills!) to design a better business v

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A lot of variables affect the pitching process even when you pitch with deep creativity and integrity. And, if it's a category, a brand, product, experience or service you grew up with, rest assured you're going to go all out. What's it like pitching for a brand, product or service you grew up on? Read my blog and subscribe to my newsletter to see it from my point of view. #Substack #Newsletter #Blog #Pitching #NewBusiness #Business #CreativeBusiness

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Context is key. Knowing your customers' pains and gains is critical. The current discourse around tech killing creative jobs and the love and respect creatives have for some of the best-loved symbols of creativity matter. And make this new ad from Apple tone deaf. Judging by the response from their customers and the lashing on social media, I am not alone in this assessment. Ouch. This binary either/or and black/white thinking is lame and lazy. #ad #apple #customerinsights #marketing #brand #brandstrategy #brandvoice

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Consumers are tapped out. Portfolios might get wiped by 50% or more. But this post has tips that provide hope and will help your brand connect with consumers. As marketing leaders and brand builders, our role is often to empathize. In some cases, our brands must be aspirational for consumers, but at other times we have to meet the audience where they are. It's a nuanced job. You have to tap into the market and what people are feeling the most. And right now, people are plagued with the following problems: higher energy costs, higher fuel costs, higher cost of foods, and cash is super tight. Markets are upended. How should your marketing strategy and your budget be revised? Seven quick gut checks you should do NOW. 1. Shift Budget to High-ROI Channels: Prioritize digital channels that offer measurable results and higher ROI, such as social media and email marketing. Reduce spend on lower-performing campaigns ASAP. 2. Emphasize Value: Allocate budget to promote products that offer the best value. If applicable to your brand, run promotions and/or flexible payment options to appeal to cost-conscious consumers. 3. Invest in Community and Support Initiatives: Allocate resources to create content that fosters community and support, such as webinars, online live events, and helpful guides. 4. Enhance Transparency and Authenticity: Invest in communication tools that allow for transparent and authentic engagement with consumers, such as live chats and behind-the-scenes content. 5. Focus on Essentials: Conduct an audit of your marketing tech stack. Redirect marketing budget towards essential products or services that help meet current consumer needs. 6. Boost Emotional Connection: Allocate budget for storytelling initiatives that create emotional connections, emphasizing hope and positivity. People really need it! 7. Focus on your Funnel: There are consumers in your funnel right now that are close to converting. Rather than allocating more to cold-prospecting, adjust budgets to push users further down the funnel. Double-check your loyalty program and optimize the hell out of it! BONUS TIP: Find a brand to partner with. Make sure you share similar values and target audiences, and have complimentary services. You will both be stronger together and can co-create a bigger value for consumers. Create an exclusive experience that make consumers feel special and hopeful about the future! If I can help in anyway, please do not hesitate to reach out: [email protected] -- we've helped numerous consumer brands scale from $0 to eight figures. #marketing #marketcrash #economics #inflation #consumers #marketingleaders #cmo #fractionalcmo #consumerbrands #b2c #performancemarketing #brandmarketing #ads #digitalads #advertising #portfolio #storytelling

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 In "Time Well Spent", Greg Graham explores a bold new approach to workplace compensation, challenging the outdated time-based pay model. Graham challenges the traditional time-based pay model, advocating for a shift towards value-driven compensation that truly recognizes impact. Employees, contractors, or agency partnerships, will gain insights into practical approaches like profit-sharing, retainer models, and value-based pricing that reward the quality and outcomes of work over hours logged. For leaders, HR professionals, and anyone working with creative agencies or strategic consultants, this book is a must-read! #FutureOfWork #ValueBasedCompensation #WorkplaceInnovation https://lnkd.in/dfZiwS43

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A tight creative brief unlocks a world of direction for creatives. Vague goals stifle creativity. Your brief bridges the gap; Translating business needs into something the consumer cares about. Apple discontinued the iPod. “1,000 songs in your pocket” was an iconic phrase. That talked to the benefit of the product over the features. Love to see them go round 2 on this great work. 👉If you’re interested to learn more about creative briefs, I’ll be teaching a free workshop next week on the topic: https://lnkd.in/gBkBcj7n #advertising #brand #strategy #brandstrategy

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A tight creative brief unlocks a world of direction for creatives. Vague goals stifle creativity. Your brief bridges the gap; Translating business needs into something the consumer cares about. Apple discontinued the iPod. “1,000 songs in your pocket” was an iconic phrase. That talked to the benefit of the product over the features. Love to see them go round 2 on this great work. 👉If you’re interested to learn more about creative briefs, I’ll be teaching a free workshop next week on the topic: https://lnkd.in/giExUgVH #advertising #brand #strategy #brandstrategy

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Reflecting on 🔟years of Pinpoint Productions producing Google’s Doodle 4 Google state and territory events. Here are my top tips for producing 54 events on the same day:  🪄Assemble a dream team of operators and creatives. Events like this are not for the faint of heart. Make sure you have the right team in place – it makes all the difference in the world. 📄Templatize. You can’t recreate the wheel for each bespoke event. Build a template ahead of time and keep documentation consistent along the way. With so many moving pieces it is essential everyone on the team has access to the same information. ⁉️Scenario plan. Run your team through what they should do in expected scenarios. It definitely doesn’t hurt to always have a plan B. Remind your team that inevitably something will go wrong – a balloon delivery doesn’t arrive, the school band practice runs long and doesn’t clear out of the gym in time – that’s ok. It is all about how you respond in the moment. ⏰Pay attention to time zones. This might sound silly but when you’re working across 6+ time zones make sure you double check all of your times. And pay special attention to states that don’t observe daylight savings time!  ❤️Know your audience. This will help guide your creative decisions and inform how to engage your stakeholders. For Doodle 4 Google events, we’re often working with school principals and administrators – people who have one million other jobs – and we want to do everything we can to make their interaction with us as easy as possible. This is meaningful and hard work – a big shout out to the Pinpoint Team, and Jada Young specifically, for bringing these events to life!

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Throughout my career, I’ve focused on creating visually compelling, strategy-driven content that not only enhances brand presence but resonates with audiences across platforms. As a Lead Motion Designer and Animator, I had the privilege of working on a transformative project for The Axis at Planet Hollywood, where I developed the cutting-edge LED digital marquee for Britney Spears' iconic "Piece of Me" residency. This ambitious project demanded innovative motion graphics for a unique, wedge-shaped LED screen, built by Panasonic, with content engineered to captivate audiences in one of Las Vegas’ most celebrated venues. Working across departments, from technical teams to creative directors, we created a digital experience that added an entirely new dimension to live performances, blending technology, art, and strategy in a high-impact way. The Axis was just one milestone in a career shaped by partnerships with industry leaders, including Caesars Entertainment, Playtika, Specialty Appliance, and World Series of Poker. For each of these brands, I developed creative strategies that harnessed the power of organic social media, video production, and digital signage to expand their reach and engage diverse audiences. As a content creator, I specialize in data-driven campaigns that leverage strategic storytelling to drive tangible results. My work with FBS Appliance, for example, involved creating educational motion graphics on induction technology that booked out demo classes for months, proving the effectiveness of targeted, value-based content in driving real-world engagement. I’m passionate about the potential of organic social media to build brand loyalty, grow engagement, and amplify visibility. My approach combines visual storytelling with analytical insights, ensuring that every piece of content serves a strategic purpose. From high-impact campaigns on LinkedIn and YouTube to trend-driven engagement on TikTok and Instagram, I bring a comprehensive toolkit designed to adapt to the fast-evolving digital landscape. If you’re a brand looking to break through the noise with innovative content and a tailored social strategy, let’s connect. I’m always excited to discuss how creative content and a results-driven approach can enhance your digital presence and achieve measurable success. You can explore more of my work at colliepixels.com or reach out directly—I look forward to collaborating with new partners on projects that push the boundaries of digital design.

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L.A. artist Darel Carey uses electrical tape, a knife, and a ladder to warp our sense of space. His art makes you pause, step back, and question what you’re seeing. But how can art help your brand? ➡️ Want to step into another dimension? Carey’s work invites you in. Carey taps into liminality—designing spaces that disconnect from the usual and invite deeper engagement. Inspired by MC Escher’s geometric illusions, his lines and patterns transform surfaces, creating environments that demand attention. Takeaways for brands and spaces: 🧠Visually intriguing spaces increase emotional engagement and time spent in-store (Environment and Behavior study). 🧠Unique visual elements stimulate the brain, enhancing mood and memory (Journal of Environmental Psychology). 🧠When a space feels distinct and unexpected, visitors are more receptive to the brand’s message. Imagine retail, dining, or hospitality environments that intrigue, engage, and linger in memory. Spaces that challenge perception also capture attention and build lasting connections. Ready to rethink your environment? #DesignMatters #NeuroAesthetics #BrandExperience #CreativeSpaces #RetailDesign #Retail #Creativity #Inspiration Grant Dudson Nuno Antunes AMAR ALNΞMΞR ☀️🚀

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