July 1, 2026
An Invitation ...
<p>Hey, it’s Adam. This is a short bonus episode because I want to talk to you about something I’m really excited about, and I think you might be too.</p><p>On July 23rd, <strong>Awaiting Approval LIVE</strong> is happening again. Live, in person, in three cities at the same time: London, San Francisco and New York City.</p><p>I’ll be hosting the London room. <strong>Amy Khan</strong> is hosting San Francisco. <strong>Maryam Cristillo</strong> is hosting New York. And each room has a special guest who’s going to face the Clipboard of Truth - rapid-fire questions, no prep, nowhere to hide - followed by questions from the audience.</p><p>In London, our guest is <strong>David Sheldon-Hicks</strong>, CEO and Co-Founder of Territory Group. If you’ve seen <strong>Blade Runner 2049</strong>, <strong>Dune</strong>, <strong>Prometheus</strong>, <strong>Guardians of the Galaxy</strong>, <strong>The Batman</strong>, <strong>Star Wars</strong> or <strong>Avengers</strong> … David and his team designed the screen worlds inside those films.</p><p>In San Francisco, it’s <strong>Gray Joyce</strong>. 25+ years across <strong>Google</strong>, <strong>Visa</strong>, <strong>YouTube</strong>, <strong>Samsung</strong>, <strong>Netflix</strong>, <strong>HP</strong> and <strong>Gap</strong>. Now CCO and Managing Partner at Thedas.</p><p>And in New York, it’s <strong>Sunny Stafford</strong>. Creative and brand executive with 20+ years across <strong>Victoria’s Secret</strong>, <strong>BareMinerals</strong>, <strong>WholeFoods</strong> and <strong>1-800-Flowers</strong>. Now a fractional CMO who believes the divide between creative and commercial teams is the most expensive myth in modern marketing.</p><p>So, why am I doing this?</p><p>Because this podcast has always been about what happens when creative leaders are honest with each other. And that works brilliantly in a recorded conversation between two people. But there’s something different about a room. About being physically present. About hearing someone answer a question they weren’t expecting, in real time, with 30 other people watching.</p><p>I am planning to record the whole thing, and yes, it’ll probably become an episode. So you might be thinking, why not just wait and listen later?</p><p>And here’s my honest answer: because it won’t be the same.</p><p>The recording will capture what was said. But it won’t capture what it felt like to be in that room. The moment someone laughs before the guest has finished their answer because everyone knows what’s coming. The energy of watching someone genuinely think before they respond. The conversations you’ll have with the person next to you during the break. Those things don’t make it into the edit.</p><p>And that’s really what this is about. It’s not just watching … it’s being part of it.</p><p>If you come, you’ll meet the guest and the host in your city. You’ll be in a room with other creative leaders who care about the same things you do. You’ll have the chance to ask your own question. And every single person in the room gets an exclusive “I Was In The Room” pin badge that you cannot get anywhere else - not online, not afterwards, not ever.</p><p>Depending on which city you’re in, there are other goodies too - in New York, for example, there’s chocolate and wine. Each city has its own thing.</p><p>There are only 30 seats per city. Tickets are twelve pounds, roughly fifteen dollars. And if cost is a barrier, bursaries are available - just message me directly.</p><p>We start in London at 7pm, hand over to San Francisco at 11am, then to New York at 2pm, before coming back to London to close the night. If you’re in one room, you’ll see and hear the other two cities live.</p><p>And if you’re not in London, San Francisco or New York, there will be a live stream so you can still be part of the evening. But if you are in one of those cities - be in the room.</p><p>BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/awaiting-approval-live-4847406">https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/awaiting-approval-live-4847406</a> </p><p>Just click on the city of your choice. </p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://growwithadamjennings.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">growwithadamjennings.substack.com/subscribe</a>
