5 Minutes with… Ben Davies
Ben Davies joined Stink US as its new managing director in February, bringing with him a veritable wealth of experience from both production companies and the production departments within advertising agencies.
Ben’s career began at BBH London before moving to Droga5 New York in 2011. Ben later moved to LA and switched to the production side of the business as vice president of Furlined, and more recently has collaborated as an executive producer with Pulse Films & CANADA.
But Ben and Stink founder Daniel Bergmann were long-time acquaintances and their conversations around one day working together became evermore serious and eventually inevitable. Ben is now part of the Stink US crew, alongside deputy managing director Mungo Maclagan and global director of production operations Fran McGivern.
To find out more about how the industry's current dysfunction can lead to opportunity, why great producers are much like swans, and how Stink is proactively working to harness the potential of AI.
LBB> Congrats on the new role! You've been working freelance for the last year or so – what was it about the opportunity at Stink US that convinced you to join?
Ben> Freelancing opportunities were fun and much needed different cultural and learning opportunities. I’m forever grateful to friends for those collaborations.
Daniel [Bergmann, founder of Stink] and I have known each other for many years and have always been in touch. More recently those conversations had moved towards the opportunity to work together. Daniel is a true innovator and leader in this industry. I was always interested and inspired to hear his plans for the Stink brand and in particular the US plans. At the end of 2023, it came together over a lunch meeting, and the timing for us both felt right.
What was clear to me was the value I could bring and the opportunity to build on what already exists. To develop a culturally, artistically and operationally ready production partner ready for the next phase of this industry, together with Daniel and the team...
Also, it almost goes without saying, Stink has such a rich heritage and reputation. I’ve admired them for many years. The combination of personal connection and opportunity was right.
LBB> What are your big focuses and aims with Stink? What kind of position do you feel it holds within the US production landscape?
Ben> Honestly, to continue making good work. We want to deliver creative excellence for our partners and collaborate to create something memorable.
To continue discovering and developing talent, to innovate on a craft and storytelling level, to lead in innovation, exploring the new technologies and tools in development. The mission has always been clear, the industry has of course evolved, but it still feels fitting.
The focus shift is in the production experience and expanding our opportunities. The way we’re developing and streamlining global artistry and capabilities through our network, opening new revenue streams and working with a new breed of client in different ways to the traditional scope.
LBB> More generally, how do you see the US production industry at the moment? It's been a tricky period with the strikes, etc... How are things now?
Ben> There is no doubt it has been tricky, beyond the strikes, the post-covid world, the lack of predictability, lack of transparency, higher expectations and lesser resources, the brand/agency relationship in complete transition and the injection of new holding company capabilities, it’s a very challenging environment. As always though, the dysfunction of our industry and its challenges ultimately leads to opportunity for those looking forward.
LBB> Your career started in the production departments of agencies like BBH and Droga5. How has that experience informed the way you've approached your jobs at production companies?
Ben> After eight years on this side of the business I have learnt that empathy and understanding is critical. It’s easy to become cynical, which is the enemy of creativity.
Understanding agency and client dynamics gives me a somewhat unique strategic insight and an ability to assess the situation. This helps to inform how we run our business culturally and operationally.
There are of course other learnings you gain from working in a well-oiled machine like a big creative agency that you take with you to production: operational diligence, strategy, new models, new business, financial management, team culture. But having it and knowing when to leave it behind keeps it fun.
The wild-west, sometimes dysfunctional, entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of production companies should not be broken. In there lies the (sometimes) last chance of artistic integrity and creative reward.
LBB> I often think producers have always got the best stories... What's the hairiest or most testing situation you've found yourself in?
Ben> All of us go through it, everyone’s been in a position where it feels like it's all about to crumble, often the very best work feels on that edge… Mentorship, trusted partners and the support network you have always gets you through it. That’s the best part of what we do, when we can pick up the phone and hammer out a solution, it’s incredibly satisfying, especially when no one else is the wiser to it. An old boss compared producers to swans – graceful on the surface with a hidden engine under the waterline.
LBB> What are some of the productions that still stand out as key learning moments for you?
Ben> Levi’s. The very great Ringan Ledwidge taught everyone on that project what true commitment to creativity is. Personally taking on the liability of its success, through his belief in the vision.
Hennessy. The incomparable Johnny Green, this was an epic production, two long shoots either side of Christmas with nights, stunts, challenging weather, celebs, stage builds... Apart from the obvious learning through such an experience, to see a director hold so much logistically whilst always leading creatively was inspiring.
Apple. Dougal Wilson, the master of crafting every last detail and making it all look so effortless, a unique charm and voice that few achieve… To watch that process, how to get to that with never ending testing, rehearsing, attention to detail, care and strength of vision. An experience I got to have many times with Dougal.
Grateful for all these experiences – all made me a better producer.
LBB> What types of technologies, such as virtual production, are really intriguing or exciting you right now and why?
Ben> Of course all the chatter is about AI and its continued impact on our business. It’s front of mind for all of us and rightly causing much debate.
At Stink we are developing teams and capabilities to harness AI, to grow with it creatively, and ultimately create our own tools in service of the work. Having a global network is an enormous benefit both in gleaning creative and cultural perspective and talent, allowing us to be at the forefront of innovation.
LBB> How did you wind up as a producer? Somewhat of a plan or more a happy accident?
Ben> A very happy accident.
Answering an agency ad in the Evening Standard asking for an enthusiastic and hard-working youngster to be a runner… it sounded like something I couldn’t mess up. Two weeks later I started at BBH where I stayed for nearly 15 years.
LBB> What were you like as a kid? Were you always into films?
Ben> A typical child of the ‘80s and a teen of the ‘90s.
It was a pretty amazing period for film across genres. As a kid I was obsessed with playing sports and watching films. No PlayStations, just the family VHS collection, trips to Blockbuster, weekend cinema visits (with an ice cream interval) and the years of growing my personal DVD collection. Of course, all useless now but still for some reason in my storage unit with an old VHS/DVD multideck player!
