On My Radar: Ross Allen

What’s the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently?

Recently, Air Canada’s Ticket to Dream, by Kevin Foley and ROM’s Opera, by Rune Milton really hit me. Different vibes but both crystal clear ideas with stunning execution. They reminded me why I love this — because I’m a filmmaker first, just one who makes commercials. Volvo’s work has always been my compass — humble, human and beautifully told.

What website(s) do you use most regularly?

Let me check my history… haha! Looks like:

Vimeo for inspiration.

F1TV and TSN to watch the Grand Prix and golf.

So, mostly to watch commercials or sports. Work-wise, it's email and Google Slides.

What product could you not live without? 

My AirPods — can’t live without them. I always have something in my ears: music, podcasts, audiobooks. I even carry two sets — regular ones for everyday and Pros for travel. I walk my dog in the forest and use that time to learn or just escape. And since I’m in the air half the time, the Pros help me tune out the world so I can work or sleep. They’re a lifeline.

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year? 

I watch most films on planes — which I kind of regret — but The Outrun really stayed with me. Beautiful, tragic, personal but expansive. Saoirse Ronan was incredible. The cinematography, the music, the mood — just stunning.

Also loved A Real Pain, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Conclave and… Moana 2, thanks to my three-year-old daughter.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

Two come to mind — Crash and Queen & Slim. Crash made me want to be a director. It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply connected we all are, and how humility shapes us. Queen & Slim hit differently. It’s the first film in years I watched purely as a viewer — not analysing, just feeling. I let go, got lost in it. That kind of experience is rare — and freeing.

What’s your preferred social media platform? 

I guess it's Instagram. It’s where I find inspiration, stay connected and cheer on friends doing great work. I use the saved tab like a mood board — organised chaos. It’s also a great way to connect with other directors, actors, agency friends and crew.

What’s your favourite TV show? 

Succession. Easily one of my favourites. I got Covid on Christmas Eve in 2020 while visiting family in the UK and ended up isolating in my childhood bedroom. I binged all three seasons in three days — completely obsessed. It was intense, surreal and honestly kind of perfect. The writing, the power dynamics, the family tension — it’s brilliant.

What’s your favourite podcast?

Depends on the mood.

For sports, it’s No Laying Up — I follow golf religiously.

For laughs, Smartless is perfect — great for walks, workouts, flights.

For work, I like The Director’s Cut, and a shout out to my friends at Now Then Talks.

Lately, I’ve been into Modern Wisdom and What Went Wrong.

What have you been most inspired by recently?

Honestly, my little (and growing) family. After 15 years of pouring everything into this work, I finally know why I do it. It’s for them. My partner Emma and our daughter Maïa — they’re my centre. I travel a lot, so coming home to them means everything.

If you could only listen to one music artist from now on, who would it be?

Right now, it’d be The Teskey Brothers. Music is so tied to memory and nostalgia — I almost said Oasis or Sinatra, but I’m making new memories now. We took our daughter Maïa to see them last year, and that moment’s been my phone screensaver ever since. I’m a newer fan, but their bluesy, soulful sound hits something deep.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

If I could change one thing, it’d be this: the best idea wins. I have huge respect for creatives — I was one in London for years — but sometimes, by the time a script gets to a director, that original spark feels dulled. I get the process, the rounds, the approvals… but I wish we were handed the purest version of the creative’s idea. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I do [get that], but we all want something raw, alive, full of possibility. That’s when real collaboration happens.

Who or what has most influenced your career?

Storytelling has shaped everything for me. Volvo’s commercials are a perfect example — like short films with real heart. Moments nails story, scale, characters, and craft all in two minutes. They keep inspiring me. But the real spark came in sixth form. I dropped out of my physics class for media studies, got a camera in my hands, and saw the magic of editing. That’s when I knew I was hooked