Cultural Fluency- Global Creative Johan Vakidis

Passion to Power for Creatives Hollywood iNSIDER Michelle Zeitlin, MORE ZAP Productions & Management

JOHAN VAKIDIS has worked with computers since his teens and took his skills in programming and early software and web development into the worlds of advertising and experiential event entertainment. Johan's work as a digital creative has allowed him to create projects all over the globe- from Montreal to Shanghai. His work in China and Korea and Singapore taught him the specific ways and protocols of working in East Asia. The "rituals" that are a part of business in these markets formed his "cultural fluency." Johan shared that "being able to trust the people you work with-- in China there is a hierarchy in business." Moving back to Montreal after 20 years, gave Johan a chance to try new ways of working - experiential design and working with huge brands where he integrated multiple adapted skills. A CCO by his late 30's, Johan has built not only major brand projects, but culture and collaboration. He is raising his teen son who got to interview skateboard celeb, Tony Hawk, on a Nike job- and is now enjoying his "intentional pivot" with his current position at C2, a company with the Kyu Collective. The "languages" he speaks include Mandarin, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek and some Italian- besides the ad speak, and the fluency in navigating the spheres of digital entertainment - while "scaling up!" 🆙 For More (ZAP) on host Michelle Zeitlin please see MoreZap.com or Passion-Power.com - If you are interested in being interviewed and featured on this podcast, please send an email. Thanks to Mark David- voice of God; Thanks to Jason Usry- Audio Editor; Julia Stier- Video & Social Media Promos