Meet Arto Sivonen

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Arto Sivonen again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Arto, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
I had a long career in creative agencies all over the world, until I quit because I was ashamed of how agencies would do anything for money, against my own values. Professionally, it wasn’t interesting either, because I wanted to make a real impact on the world, not just by doing marketing and advertising or traditional design.

I set up an agency called Måndag. Måndag is a creative change agency that combines marketing, strategy, journalism, activism and action. We help organisations and companies focus on what really matters and create change where it is most needed. Over the past decade, Måndag has achieved a pioneering position in turning sustainability into a competitive advantage, while building up considerable depth of expertise and strong networks internationally.

We are also working to change the sustainability narrative, which currently focuses only on the rich and well-off. We want to unite countries in the global North and South and promote learning from each other. That’s why I also live in three countries – India, Kenya and Finland.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
I’ve been travelling too much for work, I think I need to find a new way of working and living. I was quite rarely in my home in Helsinki at the end, so I gave it away. I also gave away everything I owned, leaving only two big suitcases and the things that were most important to me. This felt good, life feels much lighter now. I only have the things I really need. I think there will never be a return to the old way of life, I never want to own more than this. I will continue with the two suitcase strategy even if I only live in one city and one home.

In November I moved with my bags to Bengaluru, India. India is the largest country in the world and Bengaluru is the progressive centre and now the technological centre of the world, and you can imagine that there’s a lot going on here right now, also related to the issues we’re working on: human rights and climate. The city is a huge growing urban jungle, with huge trees and too many cars, and a growing number of talented people from all over India have moved in. I learnt a lot here and I want to bring these lessons to partners around the world.

I will soon be moving to another home in Nairobi, and will be living in different African countries for the next few months. Then it’s on to Sweden and Finland, before back to India again. In each country, a suitable balance of holidays, friends and work.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: Magnolia

Favorite Book: Richard Powers: The Overstory

Favorite TV Show: Succession

Favorite Band or Artist: Esmeranda Spalding

Sweet or Savory: Savory

Mountains or Beach: Sea

Favorite Sport (to watch): Football

Favorite Sport (to play): Football

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Football

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Pianist

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuch Rhodes

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Moomin

Favorite Childhood movie: Miyazaki: Spirited Away

Favorite Breakfast Food: Musli, fruits and berries

What are you most excited about in the coming year?
My year ahead looks really interesting, challenging and a little bit scary. This is a good sign, because I know I’m going to learn a lot, I’m going to have to jump into the unknown. I have a lot of big and challenging projects ahead of me in different countries, they are also political and not easy to do.

On a personal level, I am sure that after a year I will be a different person again and many experiences will be richer. I can’t predict my life very far ahead right now, which forces me to live in the moment. I focus on being with people who are honest and genuine, and doing work I can be really proud of. I may stop for a while next year, or I may not:)

Website: https://www.mandag.fi

Instagram: @artosivonen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artosivonen/

Facebook: artosivonen

Image Credits
Mikael Niemi and Arto Sivonen