Pivoting From Creative to CEO: Tips from Madison Ave Leadership Coach Rob Schwartz

Pivoting From Creative to CEO: Tips from Madison Ave Leadership Coach Rob Schwartz

Doug Melville sits down with Rob Schwartz, former TBWA\Chiat\Day CEO and now a certified performance and leadership coach to talk about what he’s hearing most from clients right now: anxiety and uncertainty about what to do next, from seasoned executives to early-career talent, especially with AI and layoffs reshaping work. Rob shares how he starts coaching sessions with simple humanity and deep listening, then helps clients clarify goals using the GROW framework (goal, reality, opportunity, will). Rob and Doug discuss why AI can be helpful but can’t replace a coach’s ability to read body language and create real breakthroughs, plus Rob’s own pivot into coaching during COVID.  DM Doug: @DougMelville [https://www.instagram.com/dougmelville/] www.DougMelville.com [https://dougmelville.com/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Life After the NBA: From Injury to The Birth of Actively Black - A Sit Down with CEO Lanny Smith

Doug Melville welcomes in Lanny Smith to discuss his pivot from basketball to entrepreneurship as the founder of athleisure brand Actively Black. Lanny recounts playing college basketball, and signing as an undrafted free agent with the Sacramento Kings shortly before a knee injury ended his NBA career after 33 days, triggering an identity crisis. He explains how faith helped him launch his first brand, Active Faith, which Steph Curry later partnered in, and how experiences with racism and the 2020 social climate led him to launch Actively Black. Lanny discusses the brand’s “This is Not a Fashion Show” New York Fashion Week event featuring figures such as Ruby Bridges, and the daughters of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. As always, Doug closes with asking his guest for the best advice they've received, and Lanny tells us about rejecting fear. For more of Lanny Smith: Lanny's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/l.smith23/] www.ActivelyBlack.com [https://activelyblack.com/] DM Doug: @DougMelville [https://www.instagram.com/dougmelville/] www.DougMelville.com [https://dougmelville.com/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Architect of 90's Hip-Hop Fashion - How Andy Hilfiger Combined Music & Fashion with Snoop, Aliyah and More

Doug talks with longtime friend Andrew “Andy” Hilfiger about building culture at the intersection of fashion and music, from early retail lessons with his older brother Tommy Hilfiger, to creating Tommy Jeans, and his own brand, Andrew Charles. Andy recounts key moments in his career, including styling hip-hop and R&B artists, launching iconic campaigns with Aaliyah, and how Snoop Dogg ended up wearing his designs on Saturday Night Live. He tells Doug about launching J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, and remembers where he first met Doug... on Britney Spears' Baby One More Time tour. Andy shares advice on how to start your career in the fashion industry and reflects on changes driven by e-commerce and fast fashion in recent decades. For more of Andy Hilfiger: Andy's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/andyhilfiger/] www.AndrewCharles.com [https://andrewcharles.com/] DM Doug: @DougMelville [https://www.instagram.com/dougmelville/] www.DougMelville.com [https://dougmelville.com/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Who is Doug Melville? - A Sit Down with Maisha Dyson

Interviewed in this inaugural episode by Maisha Dyson, Doug Melville recounts some of the highlights of his astonishing career working with titans like Quincy Jones, Tommy Hilfiger, and Magic Johnson. Having been to over 40 countries, Doug shares how his experiences and lessons he learned, along with the uniquely positioned guests he'll bring on, can help you make your next career move your best career move. For more of Maisha Dyson: MaishaStudios.com DM Doug: @DougMelville on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Introducing: DM Me with Doug Melville

DM Me with Doug Melville is a direct, practical self-help podcast in which Doug Melville answers real questions with clear guidance to help listeners grow and take action on their careers, reputation, culture and life. Doug Melville is a seasoned executive, bestselling author, and Forbes contributor with 25 years of leadership experience. His career spans the music industry in Los Angeles, top advertising agencies on Madison Avenue, and senior roles in the global luxury sector in Geneva. He has traveled to 77 countries and all 50 U.S. states, gaining rare insight into culture, business, and human behavior. Recognized as a trusted voice, Doug advises professionals at every stage of their careers—from Stanford University to Davos —helping them navigate change and chart meaningful new paths. Equal parts historian and guide, he brings depth, clarity, and perspective to audiences seeking personal and professional growth. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.