Guess Who’s Back with Bigger Stories? Ben Jones Returns to AdLab

On April 7th, AdLab had the pleasure of welcoming back Ben Jones, founder of Sundogs, for an inspiring conversation on creativity, technology, and storytelling.

With experience at top companies like Google and now leading his own venture, Ben shared how blending data with intuition can unlock powerful brand stories. During his time at Google, he led YouTube’s creative insights team, helping brands like Disney and Apple decode audience behavior and craft meaningful content. He spoke about studying over 20 million YouTube ads and noticing a global shift post-COVID-19—from serious messaging to light-hearted, absurd ads full of vibrancy. This revealed that people crave more than just personalization– they seek emotional resonance.

Now at Sundogs, Ben is exploring how AI can serve as a tool—not a threat—for creative expression. He encouraged students to stay curious, embrace change, and see their career paths not as straight lines but as winding paths shaped by the questions they are most excited to chase. When asked about launching a startup, Ben didn’t shy away from honesty: “It’s hard,” he said with a laugh, “but you grow fearless.”

From writing novels to launching major campaigns, Ben’s message was clear: great storytelling isn’t about formulas—it’s about human connection. His visit was a powerful reminder that the future of advertising belongs to the curious, the adaptable, and those bold enough to take creative leaps.

Big thanks for stopping by and lighting a creative fire, Ben! You reminded us that in a world reshaped by AI, being a “faster horse” isn’t just about moving fast—it is about thinking differently. Ben pushed us to move beyond surface-level upgrades and instead embrace radical curiosity, ask better questions, and combine human insight with AI to build what’s never been built before. That’s why “the faster horse” isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a mindset.