A few weeks ago, I met Nils Leonard, one of the founders of Uncommon.
While I had definitely encountered his agencies work before, I had not encountered him.
I wish I hadn’t.
Not because he’s an arrogant dick.
Not because he cares more about money than creativity.
Not even because he has let all his success go to his head.
But because he’s good.
As in really good.
Not just in his talent – which is obvious – but as a person.
He’s a charming, smart, funny and – wonderfully – self depreciating.
He has built, arguably, the most exciting agency in London right now and yet the prick is still generous, open, passionate and welcoming.
I have achieved 0.2% of what he has and I’m a miserable, egotistical dick …
Hell, even my partner-in-crime, Mr Weigel, fell under Nils spell … which means he’s either a witch, a hypnotist or just one of those absolutely talented wankers who you are genuinely happy for the success they are achieving because they’re building and earning it the right way.
With the work.
That said, I’ve heard there are some in the industry who hate him.
As in really, really hate him.
I can only assume they’re jealous about what he [and Lucy and Natalie] have created and are creating and – more importantly – how they’re actually going about doing it …
I don’t blame them, I want to hate him too … and while I could focus on the fact his laugh is a bit like David Brent’s and I’m not as keen on their Guardian work as most of their other stuff [though, to be fair, it’s more the line than the work]… the fact is, there are people you meet in this life – and I’ve been fortunate to have met and worked with a few – where you realise all their achievements aren’t because they’re political, self-publisiising, manipulative, ego-driven, cold and calulated assholes, but because they’re extremely talented and hard-working in a way that means they were always destined to exist at a different altitude to the rest of us.
No wonder he called them Uncommon.
Bastard.