Women Lead host Nadia Koski sits down with Kate McCagg, Head of Brand Innovation Lab at Amazon, who shares her inspiring journey from copywriter and creative director in New York City, to a global innovation leader based in London. Kate talks about the unique challenges and rewards of her role, emphasizing Amazon’s distinctive interview process and diverse company culture, which focuses on substance over style and seeks problem solvers who embody Amazon’s customer-centric ethos. Her career story offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital advertising, creativity, and leadership in a fast-paced creative world.

Kate also discusses the importance of balancing a clear vision with giving her team the creative freedom to explore solutions. Drawing on Amazon’s principle of being “stubborn on vision, flexible on details,” she highlights how empathy, cultural awareness, and measurable goals are essential to effective creative leadership. Additionally, Kate reflects on how her experience as a parent has influenced her leadership style, fostering a patient, empathetic approach that prioritizes personal growth alongside professional success.

Listeners will gain perspective on the cultural dynamics of managing a global team, Amazon’s “customer obsession” philosophy, and how modern content and language evolution inspire Kate’s work. Join us for this compelling conversation with Kate McCagg, where she shares her experiences and wisdom on upholding vision and creating impactful campaigns at one of the world’s leading companies.

Links and Recs

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn
Netflix hit series to check out: Nobody Wants This
Book: “1984” by George Orwell

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

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