May Program Recap – Keeping Your Creativity Alive

Article by Edie Ousley, President, Yellow Finch Strategies, FPRA Member since 2021

Venue: Florida Health Care Association

Speakers

Nipa Eason, SalterMitchell PR

Jim McClellan, Raxis

Top Takeaways

  • The importance of creative pursuits outside the office
  • Ideas for maintaining creative inspiration
  • The benefits of extra-office creative pursuits to your clients/employer

Recap

Storytelling is a creative work of art, and Nipa Eason and Jim McClellan are masters at using words and graphic design to illustrate a story that captures imaginations.

While Nipa and Jim come from very different parts of the world, achieving their storytelling success was charted by one common thread – they both did it their own way.

Nipa’s inspiration began in college, but it was supercharged while later attending film school. For Jim, it happened in his younger years when a school teacher encouraged him to put his story in writing.

Since those early years, both have experienced massive growth in their careers.

Nipa is well-steeped in creative strategy and integrated marketing techniques. Her career began in Los Angeles where she sharpened her skills while working for Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Disney and 20th Century Fox. Now in Tallahassee, she’s helping lead statewide issue campaigns at Salter>Mitchell.

Her latest creative work of art is Project Popsicle – a podcast that emerged like a phoenix out of the ashes. COVID, the George Floyd murder and ongoing animosity between nationalities, served as inspiration encouraging her to bring people together to have a conversation.

Jim’s 30-year writing career has spanned from public service to PR firms. He’s led communications teams at the highest levels of government, owns the Tupelo Media consulting firm and is also the marketing director for Raxis. And somewhere along the way he wrote Along the Apalachicola River.

Writing always came easy for Jim, but he’s the first to admit that his “work mind” writing is far different than his “creative mind” writing.

“My work mind is like a mouse in a maze, while my creative mind is like a mouse with a hunk of cheese wondering why it’s taking so long,” he explained.

Being creative, and understanding how to use their talent as they emerged from college, wasn’t always easy to explain to others, much less themselves. Now they fully embrace it and recognize it as a privilege that they are able to influence others through their individual storytelling talents.

Nipa’s advice to others? “Be realistic about your capacity. Play to your strengths to help others, but don’t overcommit.”

For Jim, he learned that not only is storytelling a career, it’s also a friend that can help lead you out of darkness.

Interesting tidbits:

  • Best setting for preferred creativity?
    • Nipa: Wearing her sherpa jacket helps her dive into her creative genius
  • What profession would you like to attempt?
    • Jim: Boat building.
  • What’s your favorite word?
    • Nipa: Shanti (peace).
  • What’s your favorite sound?
    • Jim: Sunrise in the woods; nature has a rhythm.

Nipa and Jim’s fireside chat with the Capital Chapter was fascinating, and in and of itself was a storytelling opportunity we all learned from. We’re grateful for their time and their words of wisdom.

Extras shared During the Meeting by Members