Thoughts on creativity, Pharma and whatnot
The odd thing about ideas, you will have noticed, is that when you see a good one you almost only have to hear the title and know. I often think about the pitch to movie execs that wouldn't have had to get too much further than 'It's called The 40 year old virgin' to know... Continue Reading →
When I was starting out, my fledgling partner and I, a curly-haired chap by the name of Rob, were full of youthful gusto and a hefty helping of self confidence. (You know, two white guys). We worked many nights in my cold Shepherd's Bush flat trying to crack this concepting lark and as we improved... Continue Reading →
Hello dear reader, hope you're still enjoying this work from home lark? Me? well on one hand I have an office again, and the time to concentrate and get shit done. On the other I miss my work chums and that feeling of collective achievement and camaraderie. On the other other hand, I miss the... Continue Reading →
I love an online furore, me. Have you see the new Gillette advert? Boys will be boys? It's been hard to miss. After all the campaigns empowering our mothers, sisters, and daughters - from This girl can to Like a girl to Blood normal us chaps finally have our own bonafide 'purpose' campaign. Except this one... Continue Reading →
Over the last few months we've heard a lot of exciting news about agencies and clients reinventing the 'advertising agency model'. Not the whole agency, obviously, just the interesting part with all the tattooed beardy men and purple haired women. Because you see, Creative departments simply weren't working before. What? you hadn't noticed? That's why... Continue Reading →
Think about it. They call it the greatest story ever told. Actually it's the greatest healthcare ad campaign that ever ran. It's text book marketing. Firstly, you have a blockbuster product that can solve all ills. Then you have 12 KOLs ready to advocate. You have a wonderfully written idetail, (previously in hard back.) You... Continue Reading →
Everyone has a story they tell when they dine out or meet new people. Mine is about the time I found myself in the lift with all of the members of U2 and was greeted by Elton John. But that's for another time. My brother-in-law Dermot has a story that he used to tell a... Continue Reading →
One of the things that separates creatives from mere mortals, (I jest) is the ability to finally accept that your idea didn't fly with good grace and resilience. Nobody understood it. Nobody liked it. You could never afford to do it. It had been done before. ''Don't worry I'll think of something else." All those... Continue Reading →
Frankly, I have had enough of survey requests. Not the door to door type, just the incessant 'how was buying that door knob for you' type of survey. I don't want to be part of the big data I want to be small data, in my own house, leave me alone thank you very much.... Continue Reading →
Aren't all branding ideas sort of advertising ideas and vice versa? Well, sometimes, I guess, but not always. In Pharmaland we can lean towards treating every problem as if it needs a good whack on the head. Give it a brand image that people will remember, plaster it all over the congress stand and the... Continue Reading →
