Thoughts on creativity, Pharma and whatnot
In last week's campaign magazine there was spread devoted to the future of TV advertising. Possibly the most successful and certainly the most talented British commercials director of our era, one Daniel Kleinman, asserted that the main object of advertising was to 'entertain'. Well, he is a director. It struck me how much my opinion... Continue Reading →
I was recently in a pre-pitch meeting and somebody quoted the old line 'nobody ever got fired for choosing IBM' It suddenly occurred to me that she was using it in a positive sense. Because she had always thought of it that way. The safe choice is the wise choice. Now I don't know about... Continue Reading →
So, whatever you think about Cecil's tragic and untimely demise, one thing is for sure, so-called 'hunters' might now think twice about loading up the old crossbow and rifle and heading off to needlessly slaughter our finest and most magnificent species for their own amusement. Lord knows something needed to be done to stop the... Continue Reading →
The easiest way to break rules is to not know the rules in the first place. How many times have you looked at a brief and thought you've known exactly what was needed, from the moment you read it? I don't mean the precise idea, but the approach. You use those short cuts, those familiar... Continue Reading →
The trouble with satire is that it can be a rather blunt tool. So I think it is worth writing a short postscript to what has been a rather successful edition, if judged by visitors alone, of my last blog. (thanks for visiting) It just shows that controversial works. Some people thought it rather harsh,... Continue Reading →
I don't know about you but the reason I come in to work every day in my Healthcare agency of choice is mostly to help small Mexican villages improve their language skills. It can be monotonous but it also can be more rewarding than it looks. When I see their little faces light up with... Continue Reading →
The glorious month of June is upon us once more and sur la Croisette the Rose is being chilled, the pavements are being hosed down and the sea is reaching the correct temperature for midnight swims in soggy underwear. Mentioning no names, ahem.. Dear reader, will you be joining the thirsty adfolk from around the... Continue Reading →
When I first started as a Creative Director in Pharmaland I had to present some ideas to one particular client. He was new in the role too, just flown in from America, very senior and everyone was in awe of him. This meeting was a big deal. So I duly gathered my shiniest and cleverest... Continue Reading →
I was recently sat in an awards jury, as you do, when a 'medical person' insisted that in one category all you really had to do, to launch a new drug, was to announce its arrival. Drug X does Y. No selling or creativity was required. It was a curious, if not uncommon occurrence, to... Continue Reading →
It seems that clients in Pharmaland are beginning to get the taste for a bit of emotional content in their communications, which is always nice to see. I get emotional just thinking about it. But often the word is used to describe such low level concessions as having a person featured somewhere in the materials.... Continue Reading →
ollycaporn's blag 