Long live advertising.

I couldn't sign off without a little nod to my good pals Mike & Phil (or Phil & Mike in this pic), an up and coming team who are proving they have what it takes to make it in this industry. 

This week they were successful at the Chip Shop Awards, winning a much coveted Chip, whilst up against established creatives from the UK and beyond. They celebrated in style at Fabric, before moving on to a more refined location for a relaxing brandy and cuban. 

A fine night was had by all, and the irony of these lads picking up their first adult award (student ones don't count apparently), on the same day that I packed away my pens and pad for the last time was not lost on me. Most definitely a case of out with the old-skool, in with the new.

Good luck chaps.

That really is it.

Advertising is dead.

What a week in advertising.

First, Portfolio night 7 is cancelled in London cos none of the agencies can be arsed to host it.

Then Jai & Wal split up, with Wal hinting that he may be leaving London.

Now Scamp decides he cant be bothered to blog anymore either.

Next thing you know Dave Trott will turn up on Britain's got talent, Morris dancing to dub-step in an attempt to launch a new career out of the ad game.

London, hub of the ad world (outside the US i guess), seems to be on its knees at the moment.

More than ever.

So it is with regret, but less regret than i ever imagined, that i am pulling out of the race.

I salute those who keep at it. God speed you brave warriors.

Fin.

You say Tulips i say Two Lips.

There's not many ads that leave me speechless but JWT New York's latest work for Wilkinson Sword www.mowthelawn.co.uk have managed it with this line:

"Whenever I see a weed, I mow that rascal down, so all that's left for me to see is tulips on the mound."

Oof!

Blogger Big Up

Just a quick post to big up friends of the Blog, Mike and Phil. They live at www.mikeandphil.blogspot.com , post a rather good account of their adventures in adland, and are also pretty good at match-making.

Cheers dudes.

Portfolio Night 7. To be or not to be?

Anyone who's anyone on the junior circuit will be well aware of the forth coming Portfolio night 7 - scheduled for June 11th this year. 

In 2008 JWT hosted the London leg , and it was a real success. Everyone got placements, as well as a free mug and T-shirt*, and all was right with the World.

So this year i've been keeping an eye on their website, www.portfolionight.com,  to find out when the tickets will be available, only to find out that London (as well as many other cities around the World) has yet to find a host for the event.

Which seems strange. The teams that turn out are usually pretty clued up, the CDs** that give the crits usually find some potentially good new blood, and it's another night for everyone involved to get nicely sauced.

If nobody steps forward soon, PN7 ain't gonna happen in London - which will be a real shame. And another kick in the goolies for the juniors out there...

 

*Not strictly true, the tickets were £15 or something.

** Except Mr Fink, who i saw make someone cry last year. Oh snap.

How refreshing.

This is bloody genius. 

http://www.brandrepublic.com/Campaign/News/880522/Men-dressed-Tic-Tacs-re-enact-missed-Everton-goal/

Shame it's only a viral, it pisses all over their TV stuff. Love it. 

How does shit like this get made?

I don't care if this improves sales, and you might even laugh at it in a moment of childlike idiocy, but it makes me want to sit in a dark corner and really think about my choices in life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx-bChDLJpE

I'm not sure what depresses me the most; the 'creative' that thought up this drivel and deemed it worthy of showing to the CD, the CD that read the script and thought, 'hmmm they've really cracked it here', or the client who considered this piece of toss a worthy ambassador for their product, brand, and name, or the fact that i'm not hired. Sour grapes? Too fucking right!

Top marks for consistency though. As truly appalling as the last one.

Happy new year?

Back from hibernation i've noticed a shift in the land of tv ads in the early weeks of 2009. In the midst of the credit wank crunch we're suddenly comparing the meerkats with Al, getting our groove on with More Than, exploring clubland with Pablo, and getting Swift Covered with Iggy.

So is all this 'fun' advertising in these dark days all a big coincidence? Apparently not. I caught BBH's Ben Fennell on the Beeb breakfast news on 'Blue Monday', officially the most depressing day of the year, briefly explaining the role of advertising in lifting the spirits of the nation.

It turns out that far from being a force of evil, ads can play their part in filling us with hope when the news fills us with despair. Which we all know is bollocks. The reality is, clients want uplifting ads to make consumers feel an affinity towards their brands and ultimately to consume their products. So all of a sudden creatives are being given new levels of freedom and the results are speaking for themselves.

Which leaves me pondering why this isn't always the way it's done. All the most successful ads are also the most creative, entertaining, and fun ads, no? Many theorists and ad legends agree that the most effective way to reach the consumer is through their heart not their head. Well maybe clients don't see things this way, and will continue to reserve desperate measures for desperate times. In which case creatives should relish this recession and make the most of the year ahead.

And judging by the first batch of new ads 2009 is set to be a very good year for creativity, the award shows are going to rock, ailing agencies are going to pick up, we're all going to get hired, and advertising will save the world.

Happy New Year.

Brilliant spec work.

I'm not sure what to make of companies with 'in-house' creative departments, seems a bit anti-ad agency to me, and if every client followed suit we'd all be in the shit.

Can't fault this little viral from Spec-Savers though...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1600158118/bctid2225054001

Good send up guys.

RKCR/Y&R+M&SXMAS=A+++

When i read today's news that the new M&S Christmas ad featuring Take That, Twiggy, Erin O'Connor, Lily Cole, Myleene Klass and Noémie Lenoir was about to be released i'm not afraid to admit i shuddered in horror (except for Ms Lenior of course).

But having watched the ad, i'm happy to say i was shocked for all the wrong reasons. Or is that right reasons? Because i bloody liked it. Really liked it. It's genius. Have a look here:

http://www.brandrepublic.com/Campaign/News/861754/join-festivities-M-S-Christmas-ad/

And why is it genius? No dialogue.

Nice one Pip and Chris at Y&R.