Crystal Hay’s Creative LIAisons Diary #1: “Never stop wondering”
Crystal Hay, Copywriter, TBWA Auckland is representing Aotearoa at the 2025 Creative LIAisons program in Las Vegas featuring some of the world’s most respected creative directors as speakers. Here, Hay reports exclusively for Campaign Brief.
Day One is complete. But not without getting lost on the way to the LIAisons conference and stumbling into a crew of resort staff clearing away the rainbow-y dregs of a big night. I didn’t know the human body could do all… that.
Las Vegas feels bananas. From my hotel, I can see the very edge of the city – where the lights get swallowed by desert. When I went for an exploratory hīkoi down the Strip, I kept finding new surprises: surprisingly naked people, sidewalk Glambots, and an abundance of big smiles from fellow tourists. As someone told me recently, this really does feel like adult Disneyland.
After the doors shut and the lights dimmed, I had the crisp realisation that I was surrounded by some of the most articulate and shrewd young creatives on the planet. As they asked question after question, my admiration for my peers in the room grew. What a bunch of clever folks. Thankfully, they’re all as open to finding new international advertising buddies as I am, so I might get to absorb their brainpower.
Over the course of the day, I summed up what I loved most into these headlines:
From Andrea Diquez, Global CEO at GUT: Never stop wondering.
From Suzanne Powers, Founder/CEO of Powers Creativity and All&, New York: “Nobody is boring.” A great reminder to notice all the wonderful tidbits (and big bits) your colleagues can contribute when you include them.
And from the endlessly quotable and cool Umma Saini: “Belief is the shortcut to success.”
I think that about does it for today’s entry. Here’s a snap from Rhiana [Merota, Intermediate Art Director at Special NZ] and I, auditioning for a buddy cop movie that might come out once it exits Development Hell.
For those who didn’t read the above properly and maybe didn’t register that I’m done for today: I am done for today. Here are a few Strip snaps to wrap things up.
Tata for now!
