What does it take to be a great creative? Featuring Jason Gaboriau, EVP and ECD, Doner LA
For creatives, there can be an “a-ha!” moment — that single point in time that begins the journey. For Jason Gaboriau, executive vice president and executive creative director of Doner LA, it all began in middle school with a drawing…of a unicorn.
But it’s not just the craft of the art that determines success, it’s what’s happens around it — and Gaboriau believes strongly that attitude (a good one) plays an important role in the equation.
When you see his impressive array of work and awards, you’ll understand that his work truly does come from a place of unbridled joy.
See what floats other prominent peoples' boats on our YouTube page dedicated to wisdom from great creatives.
Other episodes in the series

Episode 1
‘It’s about asking a lot of questions’: Deutsch’s Winston Binch on what it takes to be a great creative
The Drum recently caught up with Winston Binch, Deutsch North America’s chief digital officer, to find out what he thinks it takes to be a great creative.

Episode 2
‘Be a producer’: RPA’s Sarah Bates on what it takes to be a great creative
To Sarah Bates, creative director at RPA in Los Angeles, being weird is perfectly fine. In fact, it’s pretty normal and desirable — especially those “non sequitur adventures” that make a person interesting in a creative field.

Episode 3
‘Distill the brief’: The Mill’s Phil Crowe on what it takes to be a great creative
Are there bad briefs? That’s likely up for all kinds of debate but, to Phil Crowe, ECD of The Mill in Los Angeles, it’s less about the brief and more about the interpretation of the brief.

Episode 4
Saturday Morning leaders on being a great creative
It’s not difficult to be inspired by Saturday Morning, the movement for peace founded after a spate of police shootings against African-Americans including Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and others.

Episode 5
Lola MullenLowe Madrid's Pancho Cassis on what it takes to be a great creative: 'It's not about ideas anymore'
The Drum caught up with Pancho Cassis, executive creative director and copywriter at Lola MullenLowe Madrid, to find out what he thinks it takes to be a great creative.

Episode 6
Colle+McVoy’s Laura Fegley: 'Being a great creative is all about endurance'
Laura Fegley, ECD at Colle+McVoy in Minneapolis, treads a path of undeniable success.

Episode 7
‘Mind numbing patience’: Kirk Kelley, HouseSpecial CCO on what makes a great creative
Browsing through the work of Portland’s HouseSpecial can become a walk through a creative candy shop — starting with (pun kind of intended) iconic creativity for M&M's, including the well-received Candyman spot featuring Aloe Blacc and Zedd.

Episode 8
"Great creatives need a partner": OKRP leaders on becoming a great creative
What Does It Take To Be A Great Creative? is a video series that highlights the thinking of global creative leaders on specifics actions that can build a successful creative career in the industry. See what other creative leaders had to say in past episodes.

Episode 9
'Stick with your gut': Pereira & O'Dell's PJ Pereira on being a great creative
What Does It Take To Be A Great Creative? is a video series that highlights the thinking of global creative leaders on specifics actions that can build a successful creative career in the industry. See what other creative leaders had to say in past episodes.

Episode 10
Hunger, passion, curiosity: MullenLowe Singapore’s Shengjin Ang on being a great creative
What Does It Take To Be A Great Creative? is a video series that highlights the thinking of global creative leaders on specifics actions that can build a successful creative career in the industry. See what other creative leaders had to say in past episodes.