Jump to ratings and reviews

What's the Big Idea: An Indispensable Guide to Becoming a Kick-Ass Creative Director

What’s the Big Idea? Jaime Cabrera has been asking this question and leading creative teams to the answer for over 25 years. Inspired by and featuring conversations with dozens of top creative directors from around the world on his popular podcast Confessions of a Creative Director, What’s The Big Idea is a must-have resource for any ambitious creative looking to advance their career as a creative leader at an agency, brand or organization of any kind.

Inside this compact book, you’ll find big-picture concepts and principles that will help you lead efficiently and effectively at the highest levels. But it’s not just theory—it’s filled with real-world ideas, tools and techniques you can implement right now. Jaime covers a wide range of topics—from exploring exactly what the hell the role of a creative director is to overcoming imposter syndrome to how to lead teams to killer ideas. And he does it all with his signature wit.

Throughout his career, Jaime has created work for some of the biggest brands in the world including Hyundai, Microsoft, Mastercard and NBC Universal, just to name of few. And now for the first time ever, he’s pulling back the curtain to reveal hard-learned lessons and principles that will transform you into the kick-ass creative director you’ve always dreamt of being.

This concise book really packs a punch. Check out the Chapter Chapter 1
Imposter Syndrome, the Lizard Brain
and Other Mental Stuff That Makes
Being a Creative Director Tough


Chapter 2
What the Hell Is a Creative Director and
What the F Do They Really Do?


Chapter 3
Misconceptions About the Role of
Creative Director and Creativity in General


Chapter 4
The Importance of Creating and
Maintaining Great Working Relationships


Chapter 5
Laying the Foundation for Developing
Killer Ideas


Chapter 6
Principles for an Effective Creative Process


Chapter 7
How To Lead a Creative Team and Not
Lose Your Mind in the Process


Chapter 8
How To Pitch and Sell Creative


Chapter 9
The Future of Creative Direction


Chapter 10
In Conclusion (Sorta)


Buy this you are a creative professional working in an agency that wants to move up the ladderIf you're already a Creative Director who needs help better understanding and navigating the roleIf you lead creative people of any kindIf you are an experienced CD looking to be re-energized or re-inspired.Here's an excerpt of the intro. Introduction

The job of a creative director comes with many challenges, pressures, problems and the occasional headache. While the role

is exciting, rewarding and fun, it’s also not for the faint of heart. This book is your high-level field guide to making it into the role you want. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just been promoted to or hired to be a Creative Director (CD). Congratulations!

Or perhaps you’re already a creative director who is looking for inspiration and to be reenergized…or maybe you simply want to commiserate with other CDs through the stories, ideas and practices covered in the pages of this book. Maybe you’re a creative professional of some kind who is looking to understand the role before deciding on whether or not you want to put in the time and effort required to becoming a creative director. Well, no matter your story or why you’re here, welcome. This book is for you.


To learn more about the author, the book and the podcast Confessions of a Creative Director, visit jaimecabreracreative.com.

152 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2022

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Jaime Cabrera

1 book1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
6 (50%)
4 stars
3 (25%)
3 stars
3 (25%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Aaron Nava.
Author 3 books6 followers
July 27, 2023
An amazing book! It's straightforward, it touches on big concerns and fears within the industry, and it helps you see that creativity is way more than doing crazy stuff.
Being a Creative Director (CD) is to be a leader, a consultant, a planner, a thinker, and so much more. It's a career that requires lots of stamina and patience.
Anyone who grabs this book will benefit from its ideas, nuggets, case scenarios, and stories.
Thank you, James Cabrera, for this awesome read.
Profile Image for Melanie.
1 review
February 11, 2023
I loved reading this book! It was easy to read and full of character. I marked so many pages of resources I can’t wait to go back to! It gave me ideas for my team and the CDs I work with daily.
Profile Image for Anastasia.
46 reviews5 followers
September 28, 2023
Written with character and clarity, and this guy is funny! This book breaks down the key to being a successful CD, and love all of the quotes from the podcast ;)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews