Creative Minds: FCB's Alan Jones and Angelo An on turning pressure into creativity

1. How did you end up being a creative?

We were both terrible at maths and science and loved writing and design. Eventually, we both (somehow) discovered advertising was a career and dove head-first into it.

2. What's your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?

We love many pieces, but the most recent is the new brand launch for One NZ (previously Vodafone)—one of the most talked about and popular TVCs in New Zealand this year.

3. What's your favourite piece of work created by someone else?

There are too many to name. But recently, the Artois Probability by GUT has stood out.

4. What/who are your key creative influences?

When we started advertising, the work of Crispin Porter & Bogusky (and their book 'Hooplah') inspired us. In film, anything from A24 usually arouses us.

5. What would you do on your perfect day?

Eat a wonton noodle soup, shoot an ad with [Martin] Scorsese, talk rubbish with our friends outside a London pub, drink negronis, and a 12-hour sleep.

6. Who is/was the most important person in your life (not including parents, spouse/partner, or children)?

Each other.

7. What career did you think you'd have when you were a kid?

Archeologist (Alan). For Angelo: Doctor or lawyer if his parents had their way.

8. Do you work best under pressure, or when things are calm?

There is some truth in the saying ‘pressure makes diamonds,’ but we always work best in a room with just the two of us, undisturbed.

9. Tell us about the worst job you ever had. Do you have any secret or odd talents?

Chipping concrete off bricks and various customer service retail as teenagers.

10. What advice would you give to 10-year-old you, if you could?

Buy bitcoin.

11. Do you have any secret or odd talents?

Angelo is extremely good at massage. Alan is quite good at spelling.