We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jim Manley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jim below.
Jim, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
From an early age, even before I can tell you my first memory, I instinctively knew I was going to be a storyteller in some shape or form. Whether it was creating music or sharing original stories with classmates in grade school, I loved connecting with people. My parents were both educators, who always emphasized the power of curiosity and encouraged my drive for not only sharing my own experiences, but learning about other people’s as well. That passion ultimately led me to a decade and a half with NBC and then ABC in Phoenix as a multi-media journalist. Whether it was politicians, business leaders or normal everyday people finding their way through life (like me), I met and learned so much from individuals from all walks of life. Over time, I found that my purpose was less about breaking news and more about uplifting others by sharing their stories. This realization inspired me to leave the news industry and open Manley Creative. From healthcare to aerospace to the arts, we’ve been able to tell compelling stories that evoke emotion for transformative industries over the last 20 years. I’m hopeful, by genuinely caring for our clients and effectively sharing their messages, we’ve contributed to making the world a better place along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the Founder and CEO of Manley Creative, a full-service video production and digital marketing agency that specializes in creating unforgettable campaigns for brands. We combine our roots in filmmaking and journalism with digital expertise to deliver storytelling that connects with audiences and drives results. Whether it’s a commercial for U-Haul, a paid media campaign for Deloitte or an inspirational video that educates and helps others for Ivy Brain Tumor Center, we breathe life into brands and ultimately build deeper connections between them and their audiences. It’s been incredibly rewarding, especially working with a team that shares the same core values and passion for storytelling. Since 2005, I’ve gone from being a one-person production shop to having the privilege of leading a passionate and collaborative team that now operates in 23 regions worldwide.
There have been developments in the pipeline that I’m thrilled to finally share. Manley Creative just unveiled a full brand redesign. It’s an initiative I’m extremely proud of and it really signifies the agency’s evolution of production and digital services as well as our core values. From the color palettes to the logo to the website redesign, we’ve modernized all of our creative that’s executed across a multitude of mediums.
Secondly, I purchased a new office building and we’ve relocated our Phoenix headquarters to a historic neighborhood by Encanto Golf Course. I’d been looking for the perfect creative space for years. I wanted an office that felt open, comfortable and truly cultivated an environment for collaboration for my team and our clients. This space checks off all the boxes and we’re already creating memorable work here.
I believe we’re all here to do our part to make the world a better place. For me, that’s helping to uplift people by creating connections through their stories. Manley Creative allows me to do that.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that have set the trajectory for my journey have been my love for learning, trust in the people around me, and a drive to make everything better.
From my perspective, learning should be a part of your daily life and is a key driver in being a successful leader. Particularly in an industry that’s ever-evolving. If I’m not committed to expanding my knowledge and sharpening my skill set, it’s hard to inspire others to do the same.
Growing up, my dad was a high school basketball coach and I learned early on that in order to make great things happen, you need to implicitly trust the people you work with. Watching him assemble his team, energize each player and galvanize them to work together for a common goal made an indelible impact on me.
This may sound a bit straightforward, but I love the feeling of winning. That passion permeates in everything I do as a leader. Especially when it comes to Manley Creative’s clients. A huge part of our success is that we view ourselves as being on the same team as our clients. It’s a true partnership and we genuinely care. Their goals become ours and we celebrate wins together.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
When I first launched Manley Creative, I had never run my own business before. The creative work came naturally, but operating a company was an entirely new feat. After five years, I realized that in order to grow as a business, I needed to take a more strategic approach. I started to work with a well known business coach, Dan Creed. With Dan’s guidance, I was able to change my mindset from technician to business owner, while also instilling the core values we have as a company today.
I consider myself fortunate because I don’t have just one person who’s helped me become a stronger leader throughout my career. For close to a decade I’ve been a part of an entrepreneurial forum. We call ourselves Boomerang and we are made up of eight fellow business leaders across a gamut of industries. Whether we’re brainstorming new strategies for growth or navigating through personal and professional challenges, it’s been incredibly valuable to have different perspectives from peers who have gone through similar circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.manleycreative.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/manleycreativeteam
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jim-manley-6836618
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@ManleyCreative
