Sian Finnis is the Senior Director of the Marketing Studio over at King, the gaming company who brought us Candy Crush and a member of the Inside Out Community.

Sian is a dynamic and visionary leader with extensive experience in brand strategy, design, and creative operations. With a rich background in leading high-performing teams and a passion for fostering creative growth.

Sian brings a wealth of knowledge and insights into the evolving landscape of in-house creative leadership.

Transition into In-House Creative Roles

In this episode, Sian discusses her transition from film and television to corporate roles, and why she prefers small teams and the unique culture at King.

The creative team at King evolved from being organised by skill set to multi-disciplinary teams focusing on specific channels, enhancing collaboration and accountability.

Sian also reflects on the importance of delivering high-quality work consistently and supporting creative individuals within the team to achieve this goal. There is always the potential for leveraging existing brand assets and characters to create additional revenue streams.

For those with a production background aspiring to lead in-house creative teams, Sian's advise is to embrace the creative process and foster partnerships with creative individuals. Understanding and respecting the value of creativity can lead to successful collaborations!

Management Style

Sian discusses her management style and communication strategy, which involves dedicated leadership teams who have a focus on specific stakeholders, ensuring targeted messaging and formal check-ins like quarterly business reviews (QBRs).

"Building relationships and trust is essential in management, often requiring a long-term commitment. Success can come unexpectedly when external agencies fail, allowing teams to step in and save the day, which can significantly enhance credibility."

Hear all of Sian Finnis' leadership lessons on the podcast 'The Future of In-House Creative Leadership' created by the Inside Out Community - the professional home for in-house creative leaders.

Join the podcast host Emma Sexton, as she speaks to the community members, award-winners, advisors + industry experts to deep dive into how to elevate the role of in-house creativity to the highest levels of business.