Discussion: Do we want digital nomads and freelancers in Czech Republic?
Video
It's a highly problematic and fierce debate. We don't know what's right, so it makes us really want to argue about it. About what? You already know the answer. Can you depend on freelancers and the literal cult of "nomads"? They certainly seem fine - they look and smell good. They have great ideas. They spend half the day posting photos from the places they are in the world. They create a super atmosphere. But can you really rely on them during a project? They could break a leg tomorrow falling out of a hammock or get dysentery and die, but it's great to have them to show off to clients. Over Skype. Look what we have!
Okay, of course, that's an exaggeration. But if you've read this far, we'd like to mention another problem. People in digital agencies fluctuate, even if we hire them on full-time (warning: it's a bad idea). And they're not even ashamed of themselves afterwards. They stick around for a year and then, they're off to the next place. Basically, they don't put down roots. Are nomads then no longer the better option? Will they be loyal? How is it possible to run an agency at all these days and what about a digital agency?
Marek Prchal
Idea maker
Idea maker. Marek has worked for agencies and negotiated with clients. He has worked for clients and negotiated with agencies. He has advised agencies on tenders and even built an in-house agency for a client. He intimately understands these situations. ANO, the City of Prague, Pepsi, Snickers, Nivea, Milka, Jameson, Agrofert, and Vodafone.
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Pavel Fuksa
Creative director and graphic designer
A creative director, illustrator, and designer, who has worked for Facebook, Google, Marks and Spencer, Barack Obama, Fortune 500, ESPN, Mercedes, American Express, and Twitter. He earned a spot on the 2014 and 2016 Lürzer’s Archive list of best illustrators worldwide, and music groups from around the world want him to work on their packaging and posters. He's also worked for non-musical clients in ad agencies on three continents.
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Luboš Jahoda
Managing Director
Kaspen/Jung von Matt
He's been with Kaspen since 2007 (so the true opposite of a "digital nomad" :)). He joined as an account manager, and afterwards became an account director and planner. He's been a partner since 2015 and is head of the agency, together with Slavo Marušinec. He spent seven months in 2014 as a planner in Jung von Matt in Berlin and the Swedish Forsman & Bodenfors. In the past, he's been responsible for brands like Budweiser Budvar (Pardál and Budweiser Budvar), IKEA, Kooperativa, Volkswagen, Jagermeister, and more.
Kaspen is owned by its Czech management and founders with a minority held by Jung von Matt, one of the most creative independent European agencies. Kaspen has a long-term reputation as an agency, which primarily works with Czech brands. However, they don't reject global brands, as long as they are willing to communicate with in Czech with Czechs (i.e. not only in terms of language, but also their way of thinking). They love working with challenges since being second, third or seventh means there is no possibility to rest on their laurels. Kaspen believes that each campaign can be a small revolution and perhaps due to their strong combination of local strategic thinking and creativity as well, they have significantly contributed to the rebooting of brands like Kofola (from 2003-2013) and Budvar (since 2003).