James Mackinnon

James is the Managing Director of creative agency TABOO and co-founded SOON Future Studies with his brother Andrew. A seasoned campaigner for disrupting traditional advertising norms, James has spent his career trying to perfect the art of brand experience by blending cultural insight with cutting-edge creativity. With a career that spans leading creative agencies such Strawberryfrog, New York, Clemenger BBDO and George Patterson Y&R Melbourne, James brings a unique blend of global insight and local acumen. His talent for embedding brands into cultural conversations is evident in his campaigns for brands like Corona, Goose Island and the Transport Accident Commission. Off the clock, James launched kombucha brand ‘The Bucha of Byron’ in 2015 and sold it to brewing giant Lion Nathan in 2022. His session promises a concoction of actionable insights on crafting experiences that transcend advertising and stir the pot of audience engagement.