The New Abnormal
#TheNewAbnormal podcast (which has over 250,000 downloads) focuses on understanding today and anticipating the future. Discussing these subjects via the viewpoints of my guests has led to some fascinating conversations with activists, creatives, writers, philosophers, strategists, psychologists, lecturers, futurists, etc. Re: my bio, I'm a strategist, author and speaker. My 1st book went to No1 in the business charts, whilst my 2nd was shortlisted for the 'Business Book of the Year' Awards. (The podcast partners with The Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, a global leader in applying futures studies to solve strategic challenges, helping clients to be #FuturesReady.) So, we hope you enjoy listening to the series - which was set up during the early days of Covid, and is divided into Series One [2020-21] Two [2022] Three [2023] Four [2024] and Five [2025]. All rights reserved. #TheNewAbnormal podcast series © Sean Pillot de Chenecey 2020. Please note that it's currently on hold, as I literally don’t have the time to record any episodes at the moment, but it’ll return in late summer...
The New Abnormal
Kate Shepherd 'Why the future client/agency model = expert freelance collaboration'
Series One
In this episode of The New Abnormal, I interview Kate Shepherd, Director and Co-founder of The Future Collective.
She specialises in strategic design direction and cultural intelligence, based on 25+ years experience in the design industry where her clients ranged from Rolls-Royce to adidas to P&G.
After working for leading agencies inc Imagination, Checkland Kindleysides, and Fitch, she then co-founded The Future Collective - an alternative consultancy specialising in brand identity and experience design.
Crucially, their collective approach offers clients a means of commissioning world-class freelance talent, instead of simply using the standard and more expensive agency model.
That collaborative ethos is replicated in different guises in markets and sectors around the world, but it's one in which there is still much to learn from, and of course give back to, in a spirit of 'pass it on' open-source generosity.
Therefore, Kate explains why the Future Collective's approach to collaboration seems to have worked so well, and what the practical lessons are for both client-side marketers and freelance creatives & strategists who may be interested in utilising this dynamic approach.