The Bad Pod, An Advertising Podcast

"Brand as a Rorschach Test" with Tom Suharto, Global Strategy Lead at Forsman & Bodenfors

The Bad Pod, An Ad Pod Episode 84

In this episode of The Bad Podcast, An Advertising Podcast, we get inside the mind of Tom Suharto, Global Strategy Lead at Forsman & Bodenfors. From cutting his teeth in research to leading strategy on a global scale, Tom's career path is anything but linear—unless you count the 400-page data reports he once sifted through. We talk cultural codes, creative instincts, and why trusting your gut is the real killer app.

Our Favorite Stories

  • Tom's journey from working in research to leading global strategy at Forsman & Bodenfors.
  • Immersing himself in Mongolian drinking culture for a vodka brand campaign.
  • The "Find Your Greatness" campaign for Nike during the Olympics and how it resonated differently in China.

Big Moments from Doing the Work

  • Navigating cultural dynamics while working across Shanghai, Portland, and New York.
  • Transitioning from data-driven research to trusting creative instincts in strategy.
  • Leading Forsman's strategy community and curating global project teams.

Career Advice We'll Live With

  • The value of getting out of your comfort zone and working abroad to gain cultural insight.
  • Trusting your gut and learning to write creatively, not just accurately.
  • Using AI as a tool for idea generation, but layering human instincts and creativity on top.

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