Tag: Ad Agency
Announcement. Fluid Films. Branded Content for Broadcast, the Web, and the Future.
A year ago I began a journey that started at my former employer. My job transitioned from being simply a writer to a video content creator. Not only did I love this new role, I discovered I had a real passion for it. I also believed in what I was…
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…
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…
It’s OK to be an idiot. Sometimes.
In the age of social media, everybody want to be an expert and nobody ever wants to be an idiot. Ones idiocy could be on their permanent Twitter-record after all. But I'd like to stand up and say it's OK to be an idiot, at least sometimes. Early in my…
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…
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.
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…
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.…
Shattered. It’s time to re-imagine.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240" caption="Image by c@rljones via Flickr"][/caption] I don't know a single person in my profession of advertising, or in an ancillary field, who isn't working much harder for the same or less money then they were a few years ago. Most industries have been hit real hard.…
