Drinking Horror Story This Halloween

Don't let Halloween haunt you forever. Budweiser and DAVID Miami worked with real people arrested for irresponsible drinking, turning their mugshots into reminders that drink driving can easily turn into a horror show. Be warned.

Unbelievable in this day and age.

This was aired on my Facebook feed from a female colleague bemoaning in this day and age this type of work is been produced. It’s shocking really and when you work in the industry you feel quite embarrassed even when you had thankfully nothing to do it with it. As I’m in the industry I also know that ‘creative’ work and I use the term loosely here, has to go various rounds of sign off, from internal sketches and finally mock ups to present back to a team of marketing directors. SO at what stage did anyone question this headline: ”You look like you would fancy a 50 year old..’ In an industry I know from colleagues at various agencies the sly bullying and ageism is rife in our industry. This type of work just encourages that behaviour further. I also noticed today the new Campaign Faces to watch what was so refreshing was the vast majority were female, so change is happening I just hope that the change will also come when it comes to hiring mature and experienced talent. How refreshing would it be when the day comes when you have a creative team one in their 20’s and one in their 70’s in a top ad agency. - now that’s something that I would raise a drink to. Time for change let’s as creative’s not encourage work like this if we want to attract the best talent into the industry.

Blah Blah Bollocks

Thursday Thought: Filling in the blanks with a formulaic approach in writing creative briefs produces formulaic creative solutions. We need to think and dig deeper into out clients needs beyond marketing jargon. (The solution might not even be an advertising campaign). Think differently and make a real difference.

The Formula To Writing A Manifesto

I came across this and it shows you the tricks writers use when writing that powerful manifesto.After much crafting and late nights they finally stand in front of a suite of clients as they all turn and stare. He or she pushes play, the film begins with the exact formula as the poster below, same pace, same bullet points with a big final one word headline which is a bit random, it gets them all the time. High-fives as we see grown men with tears rolling down their faces as they hug one another. You take the glory but in your heart you know it’s just not really that creative it's a trick. So why do we all do it? Because it bloody works when it comes to winning pitches. Sad really that it will come down to the 'best' choice of accompanying music and footage.Most clients fall for this trap, but the good ones, pause after seeing this and say; 'Very good internal mood film now show me how that idea comes to life for our audience that they will react in a positive way?' 'How is that going to solve our business problem?' Wise words, maybe we should put that in all our future manifestos? Now that would be creative.

I don’t need two hands to hold a Gold Cannes

Came across this belter this morning and I had to share. Yes yes I know you could write this script for any beer brand and my response would be; yes you could but bollocks! Why? Because they did it first and to be frank this has everything in my book; a simple idea, art directed and the cast are spot on, and the cherry on the top is the writing of the lyrics, pure class as is the production, it’s off the chart. I watched the full version, transfixed and laughed at each scenario, really lovely work and when I finished viewing I thought to myself;that should do well at Cannes this year. ‘I’m drinking this for you’ with their classic line; 'I don't need two hands to....' Apparently didn’t win anything, please correct me if I’m wrong but I just read it on the forums. If that is the case then something is seriously wrong there, this is a piece of old (maybe that is the problem) school approach but goes one step further in treating the viewer with intelligence that entices you in, rather than a quick blunt gag. One thing that I do know; if I was the creative behind this work; I wouldn’t need two hands to hold a Gold Cannes, to know this is a cracking piece of creative communication. View this gem here

So few words but says so much

I saw this and it literally stopped me in my tracks, like all good design and creative ideas are suppose to do. (Let’s not discuss BT’s new logo redesign shall we). I do however I love this quote as it’s beautiful clear and to the point. So many people in our industry who over cook briefs and presentations, I wonder why this is? Does it make them feel by rambling it makes them smarter? Here my friends and colleagues is what you must always do; be clear, keep it simple and outline the business objective/opportunity. Simples as a meerkat once said.