The General Specific. An ode to generalists everywhere.
It used to be an agency professional was expected to be a generalist in the specifics of marketing and advertising. It was understood that it’s impossible for a creative, AE or media planner to know everything about everything. Sure, you better know media buying, strategy and creative but no one expected a mid-level art director […]
Why your advertising sucks part 9 – you’re bogged down in the technology
Back in the 50s, cutting edge advertising was inspired by science and research. Agencies like Ted Bates studied consumer behavior and attempted to manipulate consumers consumers into buying products with science rather than inspiring them thoughtful communication. Fortunately Bill Bernbach and the creative revolution came along and showed us a better way in where the […]
Media: Twitter Embeds
Really cool to read through and find so much awesomeness added to WordPress 3.6 while I was gone. I should take three weeks off more often. — Andrew Nacin (@nacin) April 3, 2013 This post tests WordPress’ Twitter Embeds feature.
Is social media changing the world?
New post at Kilgannon Says: We’re in the midst of some rather transformative times. Especially if you happen to live in the Middle East. Some are crediting Facebook and Twitter as key catalysts that helped to overthrow a 40-year dictatorship in Egypt. This phenomenon has spread throughout the Arab world from Yemen to Bahrain and […]
The end of the creative industrial complex
When Arcade Fire took home record of the year Sunday, a lot of people made note that an indie upstart, not associated with a big label was able to write, perform and produce, all by themselves, the best album of the year. Unlike the “Lady,” they didn’t need the big machine of producers, marketers, and […]
Camera tech for ad creatives. Or why “shoot it on HD” is the wrong answer.
The old moto was “shoot it on 35.” And if there were good folks behind the lens, you were virtually ensured a decent negative to make pretty pictures in post production. “Shoot it in HD” has a lot less meaning. In fact, HD is a delivery format and not really a camera format. And since […]
Why your advertising sucks part 8 – You don’t think it’s advertising anymore
There’s been a mass hysteria in the blogosphere for the last couple years. People are claiming that advertising is dead, the world has changed, and the only way to truly communicate a meaningful message to your consumer is to use social media. In this scenario, the forward thinking Social Media agency or a Digital Agency […]
2010 predictions. A look back.
Last year I went out on a limb and made some predictions about the year to come. It has now passed. Well, what do I have to say for myself? Some of the predictions were wrong, some were right, and some were easy. Let’s start with the easy. “The kids will still text at an […]
What the hell have I been up to? Video, dude.
Last year everyone was screaming “social media, social media” at me. This year they’ve been screaming video. What does that mean? It means that social media has become more ingrained in the agency and folks no longer need to me to answer questions on how to. This is great for both me and the agency. […]
Compelling is a matter of respect. Advertisers should show some of it.
Ever gone out to dinner with someone who constantly cuts you off to talk about themselves? Ever work next to someone who bores you with what they did over the weekend while you’re trying to work? Or maybe you have a mother-in-law who continuously explains to you how things are supposed to be done while […]