Category: advertising
Where is Alex’s chorus? Or the triangle of ad deprevity.
Imagine a triangle. On one side is pushing tobacco. The other side is glamorizing gambling. And the last side is exploiting children. When I started my career this was the terrain I promised myself I would never work. And I never have. And, frankly, my moral compass hasn't wavered much…
Why your advertising sucks part 7. You forgot why you hired your agency.
Some people who get divorced from or break up with a lover often talk about how they forgot why they ever got involved with their special someone in the first place. Or they just wonder what happened to the love. As if it was a magical thing that came and…
Gordon Ramsey – Epic Creative Director
I'm not really the biggest fan of his or even watch his shows too often but I do find him a curious spectacle. Mostly because he exemplifies what so wrong and right about leaders in the creative fields. First top five of what's right wrong with his creative leadership. 1)…
Turning the tables at the agency with social media
Probably the most fun thing about the agency embracing social media has been the internal learning around the agency's blog. Along with Jonathan, I play a central role in editing and administrating it. Being a copywriter, you may think I'm going "yeah, it's funny to see an AE struggle with…
New post on Agency Blog – Thank you for sharing
Part of the creative’s job these days is to develop ways to encourage sharing a new campaign. It’s no longer enough to create brilliant creative that connects with the audience. Now, creative needs to be so powerful that it encourages “engagement” and “sharing.” Read the rest here.
Are we in a post-branding world?
Economic pressure has created a situation where marketers are asking for immediate results before they ask for perceived luxuries like brand recognition. Clients are demanding metrics that connect marketing to sales. Metrics for things like brand recognition are tough to tie to concrete things like sales and thus to ROI.…
Why your advertising sucks part 6. You’re scared you might offend someone.
Ever met someone who never takes sides. Never makes a clear decision. Always wants the group to decide so he doesn't run the risk of making anyone upset. You probably called this person wishy washy, indecisive or maybe even weak. And never a leader. Now imagine this person is your…
What the hell inspires me? Actually, you can.
As a writer and creative person, inspiration is something I’m supposed to know a lot about. I shouldn’t need your help, because I’m inspired to write witty, interesting things all the time, right? Certainly I’ve got a direct line to the muse? Unfortunately, there’s no bat phone for writers. Article…
Are “digital” creatives the future for traditional shops?
There's been a lot of discussion lately about what the future's creative department should look like and who it should be headed by. Do traditional shops need to get rid of their old guard and make way for leaders and practitioners steeped in the traditions of the digital shops? Surely…
Why your advertising sucks part 5. It’s designed to make you feel good.
Too many marketing departments spend countless hours navel gazing, trying to find a omniscient inner-voice. This oracle is supposed to communicate who they are as a company and what they need to tell their customers so that they will finally understand the value they offer the world. It never works.…
