The Business Playground

"The pages are packed with interesting research studies and techniques to unleash the potential within. Dave and Mark both believe you can't teach people to be creative, instead you must show them, and that is exactly what they do throughout the publication. For GBP14.99 you can certainly get your creative flair back on track with this highly engaging read". Start Your Business Magazine, June 2010

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up". Pablo Picasso In today's flat world, business as usual no longer cuts it. Anyone can compete on quality, price and timing. So what's the secret weapon that will boost your business over and above the competition? Creativity! But far too often creativity is sidelined and the energy and excitement that go along side it are subdued. The Business Playground will change all that! Prodigious musician, producer and entrepreneur Dave Stewart, and advertising and branding guru Mark Simmons show you how to rediscover your creativity. Through a quirky selection of idea-inducing games and stimulating stories you'll be able to bring your workplace back to life. Be inspired by creative conversations with legendary Mick Jagger, Tony Award winning director Matthew Warchus, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. And learn from innovative companies like Google, NASA and Nokia. Unleash your amazing creative potential and get ready to play! What they say about Dave Stewart: "If you are an entrepreneur and you spend time with Dave, you will know exactly what your next business idea should be, if you are a philosopher and you get talking to Dave, your mind will suddenly have clarity like never before. If you are a student and you listen to Dave, immediately you will believe in yourself and know exactly what you need to do next. Dave is a creative genius." Simon Fuller, Founder and CEO of 19 Entertainment and creator of American Idol "Captain Dave is a dreamer and a fearless innovator, a visionary of high order, very delicately tractable on the surface but beneath that, he's a slamming, thumping, battering ram, very mystical but rational." Bob Dylan "Dave is who we all want to be living his dream and actually changing the world every day with his gentle inspirational genius." Janice Vandenbrink, Senior Vice President of Global Systems at Visa International "Dave is a truly extraordinary blend of creative genius and business person with flair." Rita Clifton, Chairman of Interbrand "Real creativity has me in awe, and Dave Stewart is one of the most thrilling creative minds I have ever met." Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop "When I met Dave he talked for 12 hours about the impact of digitalizationon the production and distribution of media. As a banker, I didn't know what the hell he was talking about - nor did anyone else. Over the next five years, we all found out" Michael Philipp, Chairman and Executive Board Member of Credit Suisse Europe, Middle East And Africa "For over 30 years I have been working with creative people the world over; but none compare with Dave. His creative cup overflows with originality, profusion and, most importantly, generosity. He is undoubtedly a genius." Andy Law, Worldwide Chairman, The Law Firm "Jack of All Trades Master of All of Them" Sunday Times "He's a One Man Advertising Think Tank" The Daily Telegraph What they say about Mark Simmons and Punk Marketing "Blunt, fair, fearless and outrageous just like the marketing style they espouse." Publishers Weekly "'Punk' reads like the insider wisdom your tattooed brother gave during your first nose-piercing session: 'Don't show Mom, but the girls at school will dig it.'" Advertising Age "Taken together, their anecdotes show that truly original, engaging, and most important surprising ads will always prevail, whether they're labeled punk or not." Business Week