We’re looking forward to introducing you to Aaron Henry. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Aaron, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Absolutely. We don’t advertise for brands that are not honest about their mission or goals. All of the brands we work with try to create an impact on our society. Whether it’s an alcohol brand trying to celebrate our biggest moments or a home-service brand trying to bring an honest service to homeowners, most brands tie their growth to their purpose.
As agencies, we must live our purpose and our position in the advertising world. It’s one of the main ways clients differentiate agencies. If we are expected to do so, then we should always expect that of brands as well.
That means occasionally turning down work that may be profitable, but saving our best work for brands that stand on business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I lead an agency of talented creatives who forge lifelong and multi-generational relationships between brands and real people. We believe that lasting growth can only be accomplished by strengthening the relationships that people have with brands. The deeper and more plentiful those relationships are, the more growth a brand will experience.
We utilize deep data, AI, and quantum technology to help brands not only come up with creative that will engage any audience and entire campaign concepts, but also provide a confidence score that their execution will be successful. That gives our clients a huge competitive edge, getting to market in a fraction of the time and predicting success.
This brings stability to growth goals, predictable revenue, and stronger forecasting at the executive level.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Promises. It’s such a cornerstone of a relationship because the foundation is trust. Broken promises lead to unmet needs and unspoken expectations. And when those bonds are broken, the severing happens both ways and is why we always have 2 sides to every story.
Restoration takes a combination of time, forgiveness, and the ability to trust again. We all let each other and ourselves down from time to time, but knowing and understanding that gives space for all of us to have a second chance.
The same is true with brands. Outside of heinous acts, most people are willing to give things a second try. What brands do with that second chance can make or break a quarter, year, or career.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Life is a gamble of sorts. Maybe that’s why we call it the game of life. After taking a big hit, we always have to remind ourselves that failure is a learning opportunity. It’s better to have gained something in defeat than nothing by not trying. Always be willing to try something new, take a chance on an idea, or invest in yourself. By investing in yourself, you’ll know what you’re willing to risk. And when you make the choice, do yourself the service of giving 110%. Give yourself and others grace.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I believe consistent utility over time really differentiates fads and shifts. How often a product or service is used tends to be a stronger predictor of a foundational shift. Adoption rates, attention in popular media, and share of conversation are temporary and easily swept away by next week’s headlines. The difference between VR and AI comes to mind.
VR was a slower adoption pace with several iterations in the past, and a narrow audience. VR always had a fundamental problem: the comfort of the headset. It didn’t matter how lightweight, wireless, or long-lasting the battery was. The core issue was that headsets are heavy, sweaty, and hurt after short period of use.
AI, on the other hand, had a faster adoption rate and a very wide audience. Everyone from businesses to students use AI to speed up their work and simplify simple tasks. It’s more likely that shifts towards AI will only grow because of its usefulness while the Metaverse continues to dry up.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. That’s how you show up every day. Each of us has their own life goals. We are our only cheerleaders and champions. How you show up in your work, relationships, and community is all determined by 1 person: you. No one should praise you for that work, but you should celebrate yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://foundry512.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundry512/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundry512/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Foundry512/
