In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, miscommunication isn't just frustrating—it's dangerous. Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) face a dual translation problem: deciphering the jargon-filled reports from their technical teams, then converting those insights into language that resonates with board members who control the purse strings.

IBM's Data Risk Manager platform offered a solution to bridge this gap, but needed a way to communicate its value without falling into the same trap of impenetrable technical speak. The platform deserved better than becoming another victim of the very problem it solved.

As Creative Director, I rallied a diverse team to tackle this challenge head-on. Through collaborative brainstorming, we landed on a concept as bold as it was relevant: dramatize the communication breakdown by literally speaking dead languages.

The insight was undeniable. Our audience research revealed that CISOs' greatest pain point wasn't just security threats—it was the barrier rift between what their teams wanted to communicate and what stakeholders could actually comprehend.

Our IBM partners initially hesitated at the idea of using Latin, Esperanto, and Ancient Greek in the dialogue. "Will anyone get it?" they asked. That was precisely the point. The discomfort of not understanding what was being said would resonate directly with their business challenge. Sometimes, the most effective metaphor is the most literal one.

From concept to execution, I:

• Developed and successfully pitched the creative concept

• Wrote the script that balanced technical accuracy with humor

• Oversaw casting, location scouting, and cinematographer selection

• Provided music direction and guided the editing process

• Delivered final creative approvals for every production element

When theory meets practice, unexpected challenges emerge. Our actors—talented as they were—struggled to master the dead languages required for authentic delivery. Rather than compromise the concept, we brought in a linguistic expert from a nearby university to coach the talent during rehearsals.

This commitment to authenticity paid off. The video maintained its creative integrity while achieving the natural dialogue delivery essential to landing the humor. Every pronunciation mattered—because in security communications, every detail matters.

The final product stood apart in an industry dominated by fear-based messaging. Instead of amplifying anxiety about data breaches (the standard approach), we highlighted the equally dangerous threat of miscommunication with a clever, memorable delivery.

Our client partners expressed genuine enthusiasm for our out-of-the-box thinking and high production standards. The video was featured across IBM Security's social media channels, delivering a message that resonated on a human level with technical and non-technical audiences alike.

What made this project truly noteworthy was its successful balance of gravitas and humor—acknowledging the seriousness of data security while playfully exposing the clumsiness of communication in a jargon-driven professional culture.

This project reinforced a critical truth: when grounded in solid research and human insight, creative courage pays dividends. Our data-driven understanding of the CISO's true challenges gave us the foundation to stand firm on an unconventional recommendation.

In an industry fixated on firewalls and encryption, we exposed a different vulnerability altogether—the human capacity to misunderstand. And in doing so, we demonstrated that even in the most technical fields, the most powerful message is one that speaks to universal experiences. Sometimes the most effective solution isn't another algorithm or dashboard—it's simply finding a common language everyone can understand.