Creative risk and the science of socializing: Q&A with experiential thought leaders Louisa St. Pierre and Sam Bompas

Louisa St. Pierre, Global Director of Art, Design & Experiential for MA+World Group, and Sam Bompas, Director at Bompas & Parr Studio Ltd., practice the kind of banter that calls to mind a Nora Ephron comedy. Whether they’re building each other up or charmingly disagreeing, theirs is the kind of friendship that can only develop through years of collaborating on experiential projects — a special punch bowl of creativity, problem-solving, and exceedingly odd hours.  I had the chance to meet these two lovely Brits recently over Zoom. Louisa was mere blocks away from me in her gorgeous Brooklyn home, while Sam hid in a quiet conference room at Bompas & Parr Studio in London, as the rest of his studio-mates celebrated a shoot wrap. The three of us discussed what makes interesting work, how the pandemic forced XP thought leaders to innovate (and quickly) and why digital experiences will never replace real-life ones. Samantha Stallard: I want to hear about both of your backgrounds and how you got involved in this industry. Louisa St. Pierre: I’m an artist myself, but I have always represented and worked alongside other creatives and artists. That's really my passion. I like connecting dots and...