Creative Director. It’s a title everyone wants—but few truly understand. In this episode of Frame By Frame, I sit down with Will Shanahan, VP of Creative at The Unlisted Company, to break down what this role really means in the world of branded content, advertising, and filmmaking.
Whether you’re an aspiring CD, a freelance director, or just curious about how creative projects actually get made—this episode pulls back the curtain.
📍 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Why speaking your mind matters
01:06 – What does a Creative Director actually do?
03:38 – The difference between title and responsibility
07:41 – Defining the role in one sentence
08:00 – Creative Director vs. Head Coach vs. GM
09:21 – Director vs. Creative Director collaboration
11:10 – How to build relationships between directors and CDs
12:32 – The one skill no one talks about—but every CD needs
14:35 – Business lessons learned as a Creative Director
17:06 – Navigating budget conversations with clients
19:59 – Why the word “partnership” changes everything
20:16 – The rare project that went exactly as planned
22:47 – Will’s origin story: How he became a CD
24:07 – Staying creative while managing meetings and chaos
26:26 – The creative power of not trying too hard
27:16 – Advice for new Creative Directors
29:43 – Why pitching is more than just presenting ideas
33:14 – How to make clients feel something during a pitch
34:16 – Real pitch example: The New York Giants
35:40 – Will’s favorite deck-building tools and resources
36:33 – Making the leap: Why Will joined The Unlisted Co.
39:34 – Trusting your gut in a creative career
40:24 – Closing thoughts + why relationships create opportunity
When You're Ready
📬: Frame By Frame Dispatch Newsletter (Creative Inspiration)
🎥: Daniel's Recommended Production Gear List
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