Leading up to PromaxBDA’s big international conference, we are taking a look at the speakers, sessions and panels that make the event memorable. Andy Baker, SVP/group creative director at National Geographic Channels, speaks about his upcoming session, his career and how he stays inspired. Don’t miss Baker’s session at this year’s conference: “Horror Stories: Nightmare Campaigns and How They Were Turned Around.”

Name: Andy Baker

Title: SVP/Group Creative Director, National Geographic Channels

Can you summarize your session in 5 words? “Shit.” “SHIT!!!” (Inspiration strikes.) “Yessss…”

What other speaker are you most interested in seeing at PromaxBDA: The Conference this year? Kirby Ferguson – I am fascinated by the origin and evolution of ideas and creativity. His video series “Everything is a Remix” was inspiring and illuminating, and I can’t wait to see his session.

How do you watch television content? I mostly watch content through my DVR and streaming Netflix on my TV. I watch live television only for sports, “The Walking Dead” and big premiere nights on Nat Geo.

What is your greatest creative achievement so far? Hiring a team of incredibly talented creatives who love what they do, constantly inspire me, and are just great people to spend time with. Life is too short to work with assholes.

How do you stay inspired? Twitter is an amazing inspiration fountain. It constantly feeds you a stream of inspiring art, technology, humor, photography – whatever you want it to be. No matter whether you actively tweet or just lurk, you should be on it.

How did you get your start in this industry? I started on the affiliate side as a part-time production assistant after college. I was a camera operator for the sunrise newscast at a local NBC station and gradually moved my way into the marketing team. It was the perfect time and place to learn the fundamentals of concepting, writing, shooting, designing, editing, and producing promos.

And for more information for PromaxBDA: The Conference, June 18-20 in Los Angeles, check back at promaxbda.org. Speakers and sessions are being constantly updated.

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