For twenty wild years, I've grown businesses through creativity.

I've built studio departments, launched media brands and original series, negotiated and produced countless commercial partnerships and campaigns, and led multidisciplinary, award winning teams across publishing, music, entertainment and culture.

As Executive Creative Director, I helped build Pedestrian Group to be Australia's leading youth publishing group. At Sony Music Australia, I established the team, systems and creative capability behind domestic to international artist creative. As a consultant, I've worked with publishers and marketing business founders to sharpen strategy, content ecosystems and operations. As a thought leader, I’ve spoken at festivals including SXSW and Semi-Permanent.

Not every business needs a full-time Creative Director. I'm equal parts right and left brain. I enjoy untangling commercial problems, finding the strongest creative solution that balances risk with profit, building the right team and getting ambitious work into the world.

James McManus with a black baseball cap, wearing a black t-shirt, standing indoors in front of large windows with a brick wall below.

  • "James has been a trusted collaborator across multiple chapters of our careers, from Splendour to SXSW and everything in between. He brings sharp thinking, steady but high energy delivery, and a genuine understanding of how to work with artists and partners. In our fast-moving industry, he's been a rare constant – and always a valuable one. Not to mention, the man has one GREAT sense of humour."

    CLAIRE COLLINS
    Head of Music – SXSW Sydney

  • "James was the driving force behind Pedestrian Group's end-to-end creativity. He unlocked revenue by turning ideas into scalable campaigns, evolved our go-to-market strategies, and constantly enabled growth of our portfolio. His relationships and industry knowledge gave us reach only he could make happen, again and again."

    MATT ROWLEY
    Advisor – General Strategic; Former CEO – Pedestrian Group

  • "With extensive pop culture knowledge, years of experience as a leader and a sense of fun that is as unique as it is infectious, James is the kind of player you want on your team."

    LUCINDA PRICE (FROOMES)
    Comedian, Host, Author

  • "James and I ran parallel paths as Future Classic and Pedestrian Group grew for 10+ years, knocking together various licensing and artist opportunities. He thinks big, keeps things simple and respects the balance of artist integrity and commercial realities."

    ED SHOLL
    Vice President, Recordings – Future Classic