Interview with Mick Rigby, Managing Director, Monkey Communications

This morning I had a very enjoyable chat with Mick Rigby, Managing Director of Monkey Communications, as the first interview for my research project on Perceptions of Coaching in the UK Creative Industries.

As a founding director of a creative communications planning agency, Mick had some very interesting things to say about managing and developing people in a business that requires a highly specialised form of creative thinking.

Monkey is a creative communications agency that has extended traditional media planning to include other communications channels, such as sponsorship, event creation, PR and ambient. On 6th August they will make broadcasting history by producing the first ever live TV ads, with Match.com and ITV (Love Island, 10pm).

Talking to Mick, I was fascinated by the way Monkey’s people management strategy has evolved organically from their business and communications strategy. Topics covered in the interview include hybrid managers, the dangers of being a prima donna, and why Van Gogh would have struggled in an agency.

Many thanks to Mick for getting the interviews off to a great start. I’ve got some more interesting interviewees lined up for the project – watch this space…