2 Minutes With ... Nadia Kamran, ECD at VaynerMedia New York

Nadia Kamran works for VaynerMedia New York as executive creative director, and oversees creative initiatives across a range of clients. Kamran previously worked for MRM where she served as EVP, executive creative director. 

At MRM, Kamran was oversaw creative on multiple brands including Verizon, Cigna, Honeywell, Crystal Cruises and American Queen Voyages. She led and won multiple large scale integrated pitches and launched high profile brand experiences and transformations. 

Kamran believes VaynerMedia is doing something big and really unique. They are turning the creative process on its head to make it about the consumer, infused with culture. They understand that when you make it about the people, you reach them in a deeper, more meaningful way. That, to her, is an extraordinary culture and one she wanted to be a part of.

We spent two minutes with Nadia to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations, and recent work she’s admired.

Nadia, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I grew up in Pakistan where I spent my formative years. I currently live in New York.

How you first realized you were creative.

As a child I spent a lot of my time reading and drawing with my grandmother. Every year we would paint cards for New Years. She really enjoyed nature, so that was consistently the theme. The first time I realized I had to make a conscious choice to be a creative was in school, where one had to select a single path between arts and science, with a very big life decision to be faced with at the age of 10!

A person you idolized creatively early on.

One of my closest friends since childhood, coincidently we also share the same name. She’s still one of the most creative people I know. 

A moment from high school or college that changed your life.

There were multiple meaningful events, finding mentors, getting my first job, all these things which led up to me just getting a better understanding of my sense of self and coming into an independence which ultimately changed my life.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

My all time favorites would be Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida, Hopper, Klimt, Malcolm Lipke while listening to Freddie Mercury, Depeche Mode, Sigur Rós, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kwamie Liv and yes, Modern Talking.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

A podcast “99% Invisible – Rock Paper Scissors.”

Your favorite fictional character.

Wednesday Addams. My spirit animal.

Someone or something worth following in social media.

Podcast: 99% Invisible
IG: shantell_martin, jessicavwalsh, _millo_, mister_vi
Twitter: wednesdayaddams
TikTok: SanDiegoZoo

How Covid-19 changed your life, personally or professionally.

In both respects it gave me time back by forcing me to slow down, to balance health with productivity.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on. 

One from the archives, launching Citibike in 2008. It was an enormous undertaking at the time, one which essentially changed the culture of the city. 

A recent project you’re proud of.

The Pastor Alliance is an initiative I launched at my former agency with Cigna at the height of the Covid pandemic and it was important as it is all about the people. 

Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.

Franca Sozzani. Her documentary Franca: Chaos and Creation. I must have watched it 20 times.

Someone else’s work you admired lately.

I am inspired by people and places that are doing things a little differently. The team at Mischief is surely bringing the fun back, the creativity back. I obviously love what VaynerMedia is doing by flipping the entire agency model on its head; it’s an exciting place to be and I’m so glad I get to say “we at Vayner” and be surrounded by people I am inspired by.

Your main strength as a creative person.

My vision and attention to detail.

Your biggest weakness.

I’m always somewhat dissatisfied and believe it could have been better. 

One thing that always makes you happy.

Rain. 

One thing that always makes you sad.

Thinking too small. 

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.

Chocolatier.