144: [BEST OF] Building a culture of creativity with ex-Burger King CMO, Fernando Machado

It’s been 5 years since Call to Action® captured our first of what’s now over 140 heroes and allies from the industry front lines to have a chin-wag with. To celebrate, we’re rereleasing a choice cut of our favourite episodes as part of a ‘Best Of’ series. 

Back in 2021, we posed as a jester in the throne room of the Burger Kingdom to nab one of the most influential CMOs in the industry; the mind behind the infamous Mouldy Whopper, Fernando Machado.

A global marketer with enough Lions to rival Joe Exotic, Fernando has since tucked into a few new roles, including one as CMO at Activision Blizzard. But at the time of recording, Fer was CMO at Restaurant Brands International, serving up great creative work for Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons. 

So, pull up to the next window and pick-up Fer’s final flame-grilled interview pre-abdicating, where we chat on his obsession with creativity, how to make the case for creativity, the role of the CMO, why Mouldy Whopper was never a risk, brand heritage, cancel culture, Bill Bernbach, Dads in Briefs and the cliff divers of Acapulco.

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Check out The One Club for Creativity 
BGH Air Conditioners: Dads in Briefs  

Timestamps
(02:15) - Quick fire questions
(03:39) - His early career and first job
(08:02) - Importance of creativity as a competitive advantage
(15:24) - Making the case for creativity in marketing
(20:30) - Burger King's challenger mindset and culture of creativity
(25:22) - Role of the CMO and comfort with being uncomfortable
(28:29) - Listener questions 
(33:04) - 4 pertinent posers 

Fernando’s book recommendations are: 
Bill Bernbach's Book by Bob Levenson 
The Copy Book by D&AD 

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