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A selections of articles for Unorthodox Blend explore a diverse range of topics, from branding and culture to divergent thinking. Additionally, the podcast interviews and talks I've given over the years offer some my insights and unique perspectives.

Below are a collection of articles and talks, see Conversation Archive for a wider selection

24–08–2025UBA109 - You're Not Paid to Succeed.

I muse on the misunderstandings surrounding success, after hearing this quote "Evel Knievel wasn't paid to jump. He was paid to dare."
Sure the leap might fail, but it might also change everything.

Link

27–07–2025UBA105 - You Can Be Anything...

In a hyper-connected, overly saturated world, it’s nothing new to say the abundance era of “more is more” has had its time. A tired and wired generation are now heading into the era of discernment.

Link

15–06–2025UBC099 - The Road Map to Being Human

Looks at connection in 2025 - how do our physical lives and in person interactions look, particularly when sat alongside our digital existence.

Link

04–05–2025UBC093 - Selling Yourself

This was inspired by a conversation with Course leader at Ravensbourne, where I'll hopefully talk soon.

Link

01–04–202525 Years of making it up:
The Rosie Lee Story.

Rosie Lee was born on Haberdasher Street just opposite Cheap Booze. Cheap Booze is a well known and much loved off-licence in Shoreditch, London...

Link

12–03–2025NYU Tandon’s Generative AI for Creative Strategy Talk

Spoke with Mick McConnell for NYU Tandon’s Generative AI for Creative Strategy, exploring AI’s impact on the industry. We explored how AI is transforming advertising and empowering the next generation of creative leaders.

Link

23–03–2025
UBA085 - The 1970s Brand Revolution

As so many global brands are rolling into their 50th anniversaries, I recently had a reflective chat with James, our creative Director, about what brought about this incredible period of innovation and disruptors.

Link

23–02–2025
UBA083 - Is Creative Snobbery Holding Us (Me) Back?

A few weeks ago, Russell and I were chatting about design tools he dropped the word "snobbery" into the conversation.

Link

26–01–2025
UBA079 - Go There to Know There

It talks about the concept of stepping into uncertainties and real-life experiences to explore, connect, learn rather than relying on more surface level facts.

Link

12–01–2025
UBA077 - The unspoken language of Intuition and Connection.

After reading The User Illusion a phrase that resonated with me was “We feel more than we know, and we know more than we can say” and here i explore this...

Link

08–12–2024
UBA073 - Eclectic but connected.
From the Creator Economy to the Taste Economy

A movement towards a more thoughtful and crafted way of operating with beautifully curated independent stores.

Link

24–11–2024
UBA071 - Building a Legacy
Choices Today That Shape Tomorrow

Prompted by a question from a friend “What does legacy mean to you?” Are we talking assets, literal wealth? Or values, beliefs and life lessons?

Link

10–11–2024
UBA069 - One mind, any weapon
Why true artistry comes from how we wield tools.

Inspired by this phrase, used in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program...

Link

10–08–2024
UBA065 - Dyslexia in Breif*
The Power of Thinking Differently

This week is Dyslexia Awareness Week and with statistics from British Dyslexia Association stating that 3.3 million adults in the UK workplace have dyslexia...
Link

09–25–2024
Talk - AP Hogeschool
Expert Class - Brand Experience Design

Returning for our second talk.
In this session, Russell and the i discuss our approach to projects, clients, and life, while reflecting on the current state of the industry and its future direction.

Link

09–25–2024
UBA061 - Kayfabe : Blurring the Lines Between Reality and Fiction

Following on in my trend of randomness…
The world is full of stories that sometimes seem too bizarre to be true. We navigate through a mix of reality and fiction every day, often not sure where one ends...

Link

10–22–2024
UBA055 - Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable : A Brand Storytelling Perspective

Mexican poet and academic, Cesar A. Cruz, a line later repeated by Banksy...

Link

06–23–2024
UBA049 - Perfectly Imperfect : Embracing Flaws and The Creative Power of Imperfection

To be human is to be flawed, and it’s within these imperfections that creativity flourishes. Throughout civilisation, imperfect beings...

Link

04–03–2024
Podast - Unorthodox Blend Live

To celebrate Rosie Lee’s 24th birthday, the team is hosting three days of live conversations as part of Unorthodox Blend Live. If anyone has followed the series so far, they’ll know it covers a broad range of topics.

Link

10–22–2020
UBA019 - Embrace the Power of Continuous Improvement : Unleashing the Potential of Kaizen and the Art of Failure

While composing Substack articles and reflecting on key moments in my life, career, and business ventures...

Link

08–19–2023
Talk - Yonex Conference

We have been collaborating with Yonex, global leaders in badminton, tennis, and golf, as the brand transitions into a new era. And we have been working closely on thought partnership, and next April, will be heading to Tokyo to deliver the keynote at the Yonex GMC...

Link

10–22–2024
Talk - AP Hogeschool
Expert Class - Brand Experience Design

We shared insights into how they approach projects, clients, and life as a whole, while also discussing the current state of the industry and where they believe it’s heading...

Link

10–22–2020Talk - ESCP’s Field Notes

Speaking at ESCP’s Field Notes series, where he’ll share insights into creativity and brand activations. The talk gave students a behind-the-scenes look at life in a creative agency, as well as the skills they’ll need to succeed in the industry.

Link

03–15–2018
Talk - Design for Reel Amsterdam

To mark the Amsterdam studio’s 3rd anniversary, Rosie Lee launched Design for Reel, a film screening and panel discussion series focused on cinema from a design perspective.

Link

01–09–2018Talk - WeWork & Samsung “Doer, Maker, Creator' Panel Miami

The panel brought together a diverse group of creative minds...

Link

09–26–2016
Talk - USBY Night Antwerp

In this talk, titled 53 Days in NY, I reflected on the nature of risk.

And shared personal examples of what some might consider risky: getting kicked out of college twice...

Link

Requests for speaking and workshops please get in touch.

Conversation Archive →

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Mark Fleming
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Work, Conversations, Email