For all their ubiquity in agencies, creative teams are their own secret universe where very few outsiders are invited.
The rest of the agency sees the ideas, the outside world sees the finished work, but who inside the team was responsible for what? Who cracked the idea, the line, the execution? Only the team itself knows. Or do they?
Ask them independently and each half would claim the lion's share of the credit, adding up to a combined contribution of around 160%. Nonsense o[Read More]
Can you imagine advertising without humor? Comedy can transform brands into overnight sensations, but it’s a roll of the dice as to whether or not you'll hit the funny on the head. Very few do humor as well as Gerry Graf, the creative guru who has spent his career at Goodby Silverstein & Partners, BBDO NY, Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA Chiat/Day and now his own agency Barton F. Graf 9000. Skittles, Combos, eTrade — you know the work. Now know the man.
We saw this piece posted by a friend on Facebook. It's by Mike Stopforth who runs a social media agency Cerebra in Johannesburg.
We must confess, we hadn't heard of Mike or Cerebra before, so rather than reputation, what drew us to his post was the brutal unvarnished hon[Read More]
In our business, sometimes we stumble upon an individual who reminds us, “Yeah. This is why I got into advertising.” Cal McAllister, co-founder and creative director for Seattle’s Wexley School for Girls, is that very individual. He’s just flat out fun, and that fun works wonders in the curiously quirky and juicy work for iconic Northwest brands Rainier Beer, Microsoft, Oberto Jerky, Darigold and the Seattle Sounders. It’s all just as delightful as our conversation with Cal.
He resides under your skin and over your shoulder. Breathing down your neck. Whispering behind your back. Ceremoniously leading the war within while unapologetically telling you how it is.
He offers snarky feedback like, “Wow, did you really just say that? Man, you sounded like an idiot.” Right after he insults your wardrobe choice. (Well, let’s be honest, velour is not a good look on most people.)
You don't need this lover of bad hair days. This heckler of good in[Read More]
I'm more confused than I've ever been about where our business is headed. I’m also more confused about what the best creative and executional minds’ skillsets look like in the future. I know that I don't have all of the answers. What I do know is — I'm totally amazed (again) by this city. I’m also inspired by the growth, evolution and level of talent that lives, breathes and calls this incredible state home.
I'm just returning to Denver after a five-year hiatus that took me to[Read More]
It’s not easy to apply the brand-building lessons we give clients to our own lives.
Have you ever wondered why the advertising industry attracts terrific people and unscrupulous types at the same time? Two recent incidents illuminated the wide disparity I’ve encountered in this business.
First, an ad agency owner I knew passed away suddenly last week. Many years ago, I applied for a job with his shop, having been amazingly impressed with the work they did.[Read More]
Jerry Seinfeld is not afraid to bite the hand that feeds him. Accepting a non-specific Clio — probably awarded to ensure he’d turn up — he laid into the ad industry. He touched on those raw nerves that get exposed when we’re at our lowest ebb, at our most cynical. But I’m sorry, you’re only allowed to be that searing in your indictment if you’re one of us — actually in the industry, rather than just taking its dollar once in a while.
