A View From An AdGuy

HAPPY NEW YEAR. Let's Rock 2012 with Passion.

2012-01-03T01:48:00.002-05:00

I have said often in my lectures there's something you can't teach... PASSION. It needs to be nurtured, it needs to be inspired and it needs to honest.

My love and passion for advertising is 24/7/365... and I love a leap year (hey, isn't 2012 is a leap year). Yup, that's one extra day to be passionate about the greatest biz in the world. The legendary (and one of the original "Mad Men") Jerry Della Famina said it best, "I honestly believe that advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on". (Read more great Della Famina quotes)

I'm not saying you can't have other interests outside of advertising, G-d knows I have too many, but you gotta love "it". If you're a student reading this you need to shift your mindset from "advertising student" to that of "Student of Advertising". That simple shift will inspire you to learn, love and build the passion that is needed to day.

Add to your reading an amazing view of what the future trends are ahead for the ad business by TBWA\ChiatDay CCO Rob Schwartz on his Forbes blog "Metal Potential" titled "5 Places To Strike Gold in 2012". Yes, we have all been blinded by all the bright shinny objects that are digital and spend our every waking moments wrapped into the world of Social Media. This year there are new places to discover and own. I am truly inspired by change and adopting.

So here's to 2012. Make yours. Rock it. Be awesome.

After all, only you can/will author your future.

I remind my students everyday of my personal mantra. It's pretty simple, 10 words, 2 letters each.

IF IT IS TO BE. IT IS UP TO ME.

Happy 2012. Make it yours, 24/7/366.

Yes Virginia there's more to life than advertising. PEACE, RESPECT, UNDERSTANDING... but mostly LOVE!!!

2011-12-23T16:08:00.003-05:00

I mostly hate this poster but it still makes me think.

Yes Virginia there's more to life than advertising. After all we in advertising created that fat man in the red suit to flog just about anything under the sun and most rocks. Yup, there's more.

It's that time of year again to take a moment to simply say "Thank You"... to share peace, respect, understanding and most important to share our LOVE.

My LOVE is my family. My wonderful wife who supports a billion hair-brained ideas I seem to create in my little corner of my brain. My two wonderful sons. Each becoming awesome people. My first born just finished his first semester away from home at university... somehow he is becoming everything I ever imagined he might and more. My little one amazes me everyday... he embraces life faster then it seems to come at him. I love my family, and I thank them for being my anchor and keeping me humble.

Christmas brings a few great great and not so great ads. Some advertising agencies send out their self promos to clients or simple create that piece that will hopefully have them taking that long walk to the award podium.

Christmas brings a few legendary, great and not so great ads... maybe next year I'll start in August assembling a "Best of Christmas" since a YouTube search brought about a zillion ads.

FOLGERS - Peter's Home

COCA-COLA - Snow Globes

LUCKY STRIKE - 200 Merry Christmas Wishes

This spot is truly in it's own class of copywriting... after all Don Draper of course proclaimed that "Lucky Strikes, their toasted'.

... and Santa flogging Camels

Guinness - We Dream of White Christmas

Some advertising agencies send out their self promos to clients or simple create that piece that will hopefully have them taking that long walk to the award podium.
Here's a few that caught my eye this Christmas season.

RETHINK CANADA - Holiday Piñata Bash 2011

Rethink’s Holiday Piñata Bash 2011 offers up the cool concept of breaking a pinata, but the real experience breaks some cool interactive rules... you can “interact” with each YouTube film.

BLAMMO WORLDWIDE - "hohoholdonasec"

Fold7 - Santa 'The Creative Director" (NSFW or Kids - some liberal use of the F-word)

The very best came from Droga5 in the form of a "Press Release"... gather attention at minimum cost... isn't that the ultimate? Droga5 announced it had lost their own internal “Holiday Card” assignment to rival ad agency McGarryBowen who have won their share of new business in 2011. Well written. See the pressrelease here.

Thank you for following along. My blog has taken a back seat to my Twitter feed this past year. I hope to return to this space more often.

Remember, take a moment (everyday) to simple say either these two or three little words: THANK YOU... or better yet I LOVE YOU.

Uprising and The Art of Cultural Movements

2011-11-23T01:27:00.004-05:00

I was asked by Scott Goodson Founder of Strawberry Frog to join the Uprising team of writers, I am humbled and honored at this call.

In the spring Scott will be launching his first book "Uprising: How to Build a Brand and Change the World By Sparking Cultural Movements" and has launched a website to generate conversations on "Cultural Movements". The site is stocked with outstanding insights and dialog with timely updates by Scott and a growing team of writers. Take some time and check out the site, it's worth the time and plenty of great learning.

I discovered a great movement recently created by American Express last year called "Small Business Saturday: as an answer to the traditional "Black Friday" (day after US Thanksgiving) and "Cyber Monday" (the after Black Friday for online retailers). Here is the piece I wrote for Uprising.

Posted on Uprising 20th Nov 2011

In America this week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. A day to celebrate family, friends and reasons to be thankful, but the days following will give the economy a great measuring device; How good will this holiday season be in terms of retail sales?

Can a “movement” inspire people to shop different?

“Big Box” retail and mall chain stores will own Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) starting sometime after midnight and the following Monday on-line sellers will open their discounts to shoppers. But what about the backbone of the economy, the small local business? Last year, American Express® launched a movement to get shoppers to think about shopping locally. Meet “Small Business Saturday”, a movement to engage communities.

Small Business Saturday was a movement created in response to small business owners' most pressing need; to create a demand and traffic for their products and services and a reminder of their importance to community. In all, 130 small business advocate groups, public and private organizations and elected officials joined American Express® in declaring November 26 as Small Business Saturday.

So has the consumer and business bought into the movement? YES!

To date, over 2.3 million people have joined and helped spread the word by “liking” Small Business Saturday on Facebook and some 35,000 tweets using the hashtags #smallbusinessaturday or #smallbizsaturday were sent all in the name of getting folks to shop local.

American Express® has asked consumers to take the “pledge” to shop small and in return will get a one-time $25 statement credit when you use an eligible American Express® cards for a $25 purchase or more at a small business.

Local shops will also benefit from the program with American Express® offering small businesses $100 of Facebook advertising by joining the movement and give them the tools to build their messages using ‘geo-targeting’ for their locations.

Last year, American Express® pledged a significant donation to Girls, Inc. tied to the number of "likes" on Facebook, and based on the popularity of the Facebook page, Girls Inc., received a $1 million donation for programs to empower young women to become entrepreneurs.

It is such a simple idea to inspire and remind consumers that small businesses are the lifeblood of their communities and that thrive on these businesses that keep people employed, build spirit and keep money in the local economy.

So join the movement this Saturday, shop at a small business.

The campaign creative elements were a collaboration between agencies CP+B and Digitas.

Here's the link to the original Uprising blog post.

BRILLIANTLY MOVING: State Farm "Empire State of Mind"

2011-09-11T22:24:00.001-04:00

I am not afraid to admit it but the first time I saw this spot I cried.

Directed by Spike Lee State Farm Insurance partnered with the director for this tribute following 150 New York City school children as they visited area firehouses and thanked the firefighters through song.

Jay-Z "Empire State of Mind" has become an update anthem for New York the Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" was for decades before it.

State Farm is paying tribute to the FDNY by showing gratitude for those who sacrificed all through a commemorative video of 9/11’s heroes and supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation by downloading a special version of “Empire State of Mind” throught iTunes. Click here to download http://st8.fm/ON2

Visit State Farms YouTube Channel for additional videos.

The Making of "Empire State of Mind"

Credits
Director: Spike Lee

Artist: James Davis Jr. & The Children of New York City
Song: Empire State Of Mind (Part II)

The NFL is Back.

2011-09-11T21:36:00.000-04:00

Yup NFL Football is back and Verizon is bringing it straight to you.

Great little spot well crafted and smart concept; "Built to bring you the game. Only from Verizon. Built so you can rule the air".

Verizon is using the spot to introduce "NFL Mobile" for the 2011 season.

CREATIVE GENIUS: An Animated Moving Tribute to Vicitms of 9|11

2011-09-11T19:03:00.002-04:00

Animation artists from around the world were invited to take part in a special project commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The project was created by Aniboom Virtual Studio, who partnered with award winning communication artist Gideon Amichay Chief Creative Officer at and partner at Shalmor Avnon Amichay/Y&R Interactive Tel Aviv to honor the vicitms of 9/11 on the 10th anniversary. They brought together animators from all over the world. This is a personal project for Amichay, and any proceeds generated will be donated to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund and the Tuesday's Children Organization

Amichay noted, "the vision, mood, and message of every ten-second animation vary greatly among the individual artists. This collection of 9/11 animation shorts is currently being screened in its entirety on the Web on Aniboom’s 9/11 YouTube channel with future plans to debut in different forms on television and in real-world venues. All animation clips are signed with the artist’s name followed by the flag of his/her home country".

Amichay developed the idea of bringing together animators from all over the world to honor the upcoming 10^th anniversary. Gideon’s idea was simple yet complex at the same time: "Bring together the worlds top animators who would create a ten-second animation inspired by the title: "9/11. It’s been ten years."

Each of the ten-second animations is completely personal to each individual artist, which I found emotional, inspiring and extremely refreshing with the sad memories I have personally of that day.
The first two animations had me hitting pause inorder to wipe away the tears.

The complete project can also be viewed below and the Aniboom Virtual Studio website.

Stop and say "I Love You". Remembering 9|11 and the Firefighters.

2011-09-11T12:26:00.002-04:00

True, my blog is all about advertising and what might inspire, motivate and nurture, but this year marks the tenth anniversary of the tragic September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and felt it was right to honor true heroes the 343 firefighters and first responders who gave their lives to save others. Tragically, since 9/11 another 55 FDNY members have passed away from related illness to the job they did that and following days.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was driving into school that day with my colleague and friend Richard Slaven thinking about my lecture on strategy and the relationship to execution (odd topic considering) when Howard Stern literally yelled "A plane just hit the World Trade Center". I called my wife right away and told her to tune into CNN to see if it was true, when she confirmed it was IRichard Slaven and I ran into the school to the student lounge for the nearest TV and tuned into a new world. I had to be there for my students, but I also had a class to teach.

Today, I regret even trying to hold class that day.

My hope is this post will inspire all of us to be better to each other and stop and remember what is important and to say "I Love You" to those that matter.

RIP Lt. Peter Martin Rescue 2

All gave some, Some gave all.

Firefighter Joseph Agnello Ladder 118
Lieutenant Brian Ahearn Engine 230
Firefighter Eric Allen Squad 18
Firefighter Richard Allen Ladder 15
Captain James Amato Squad 1
Firefighter Calixto Anaya Jr. Engine 4
Firefighter Joseph Angelini Rescue 1
Firefighter Joseph Angelini Jr. Ladder 4
Firefighter Faustino Apostol Jr. Battalion 9
Firefighter David Arce Engine 33
Firefighter Louis Arena Ladder 5
Firefighter Carl Asaro Battalion 9
Lieutenant Gregg Atlas Engine 10
Firefighter Gerald Atwood Ladder 21
Firefighter Gerald Baptiste Ladder 9
Assistant Chief Gerard Barbara
Firefighter Matthew Barnes Ladder 25
Firefighter Arthur Barry Ladder 15
Lieutenant Steven Bates Engine 235
Lieutenant Carl Bedigian Engine 214
Firefighter Stephen Belson Ladder 24
Firefighter John Bergin Rescue 5
Firefighter Paul Beyer Engine 6
Firefighter Peter Bielfeld Ladder 42
Firefighter Brian Bilcher Squad 1
Firefighter Carl Bini Rescue 5
Firefighter Christopher Blackwell Rescue 3
Firefighter Michael Bocchino Battalion 48
Firefighter Frank Bonomo Engine 230
Firefighter Gary Box Squad 1
Firefighter Michael Boyle Engine 33
Firefighter Kevin Bracken Engine 40
Firefighter Michael Brennan Ladder 4
Firefighter Peter Brennan Rescue 4
Captain Daniel Brethel Ladder 24
Captain Patrick Brown Ladder 3
Firefighter Andrew Brunn Ladder 5
Captain Vincent Brunton Ladder 105
Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca
Firefighter Greg Buck Engine 201
Captain William Burke Jr. Engine 21
Assistant Chief Donald Burns
Firefighter John Burnside Ladder 20
Firefighter Thomas Butler Squad 1
Firefighter Patrick Byrne Ladder 101
FF Firefighter George Cain Ladder 7
Firefighter Salvatore Calabro Ladder 101
Captain. Frank Callahan Ladder 35
Firefighter Michael Cammarata Ladder 11
Firefighter Brian Cannizzaro Ladder 101
Firefighter Dennis Carey Haz-mat Co. 1
Firefighter Michael Carlo Engine 230
Firefighter Michael Carroll Ladder 3
Firefighter Peter Carroll Squad 1
Firefighter Thomas Casoria Engine 22
Firefighter Michael Cawley Ladder 136
Firefighter Vernon Cherry Ladder 118
Firefighter Nicholas Chiofalo Engine 235
Firefighter John Chipura Engine 219
Firefighter Michael Clarke Ladder 2
Firefighter Steven Coakley Engine 217
Firefighter Tarel Coleman Squad 252
Firefighter John Collins Ladder 25
Firefighter Robert Cordice Squad 1
Firefighter Ruben Correa Engine 74
Firefighter James Coyle Ladder 3
Firefighter Robert Crawford Safety Battalion 1
Lieutenant John Crisci Haz-Mat Co. 1
Battalion Chief Dennis Cross Battalion 57
Firefighter Thomas Cullen III Squad 41
Firefighter Robert Curatolo Ladder 16
Lieutenant Edward Datri Squad
Firefighter Michael D'Auria Engine 40
Firefighter Scott Davidson Ladder 118
Firefighter Edward Day Ladder 11
Battalion Chief Thomas DeAngelis Battalion 8
Firefighter Manuel Delvalle Engine 5
Firefighter Martin DeMeo Haz-Mat Co. 1
Firefighter David DeRubbio Engine 226
Lieutenant Andrew Desperito Engine 1
Battalion Chief Dennis Devlin Battalion 9
Firefighter Gerard Dewan Ladder 3
Firefighter George DiPasquale Ladder 2
Lieutenant Kevin Donnelly Ladder 3
Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell Rescue 4
Battalion Chief Raymond Downey Special Operations
Firefighter Gerard Duffy Ladder 21
Captain Martin Egan, Jr. Division 15
Firefighter Michael Elferis Engine 22
Firefighter Francis Esposito Engine 235
Lieutenant Michael Esposito Squad 1
Firefighter Robert Evans Engine 33
Battalion Chief John Fanning Haz-Mat Operations
Captain Thomas Farino Engine 26
Firefighter Terrence Farrell Rescue 4
Deputy Commissioner Chief. William Feehan
Firefighter Lee Fehling Engine 235
Firefighter Alan Feinberg Battalion 9
Firefighter Michael Fiore Rescue 5
Captain John Fischer Ladder
Firefighter Andre Fletcher Rescue 5
Firefighter John Florio Engine 214
Lieutenant Michael Fodor Dquad 1
Firefighter Thomas Foley Rescue 3
Firefighter David Fontana Squad 1
Firefighter Robert Foti Ladder 7
Firefighter Andrew Fredericks Sqaud 18
Lieutenant Peter Freund Engine 55
Firefighter Thomas Gambino Jr. Rescue 3
Chief of Dept. Peter Ganci Jr.
Lieutenant Charles Garbarini Battalion 9
Firefighter Thomas Gardner Haz-Mat Co. 1
Firefighter Matthew Garvey Squad 1
Firefighter Bruce Gary Engine 40
Firefighter Gary Geidel Rescue 1
Battalion Chief Edward Geraghty Battalion 9
Firefighter Dennis Germain Ladder 2
Lieutenant Vincent Giammona Ladder 5
Firefighter James Giberson Ladder 35
Firefighter Ronnie Gies Squad 288
Firefighter Paul Gill Engine 54
Lieutenant John Ginley Engine 40
Firefighter Jeffrey Giordano Ladder 3
Firefighter John Giordano Engine 37
Firefighter Keith Glascoe Ladder 21
Firefighter James Gray Ladder 20
Battalion Chief Joseph Grzelak Battalion 48
Firefighter Jose Guadalupe Engine 54
Lieutenant Geoffrey Guja Battalion 43
Lieutenant Joseph Gullickson Ladder 101
Firefighter David Halderman Squad 18
Lieutenant Vincent Halloran Ladder 8
Firefighter Robert Hamilton Squad 41
Firefighter Sean Hanley Ladder 20
Firefighter Thomas Hannafin Ladder 5
Firefighter Dana Hannon Engine 26
Firefighter Daniel Harlin Ladder 2
Lieutenant Harvey Harrell Rescue 5
Lieutenant Stephen Harrell Battalion 7
Battalion Chief Thomas Haskell, Jr. Division 15
Firefighter Timothy Haskell Squad 18
Captain Terence Hatton Rescue 1
Firefighter Michael Haub Ladder 4
Firefighter Philp Hayes Retired- Engine 217
Lieutenant Michael Healey Squad 41
Firefighter John Hefferman Ladder 11
Firefighter Ronnie Henderson Engine 279
Firefighter Joseph Henry Ladder 21
Firefighter William Henry Rescue 1
Firefighter Thomas Hetzel Ladder 13
Captain Brian Hickey Rescue 4
Lieutenant Timothy Higgins Special Operations
Firefighter Jonathan Hohmann Haz-Mat Co. 1
Firefighter Thomas Holohan Engine 6
Firefighter Joseph Hunter Squad 288
Captain Walter Hynes Ladder 13
FF Jonathan Ielpi Squad 288
Captain Frederick Ill Jr. Ladder 2
Firefighter William Johnston Engine 6
Firefighter Andrew Jordan ladder 132
Firefighter Karl Joseph Engine 207
Lieutenant Anthony Jovic Battalion 47
Firefighter Angel Juarbe Jr. Ladder 12
Chaplain Mychal Judge
Firefighter Vincent Kane Engine 22
Battalion Chief Charles Kasper SOC Battalion
Firefighter Paul Keating Ladder 5
Firefighter Richard Kelly Jr. Ladder 11
Firefighter Thomas Kelly Ladder 15
Firefighter Thomas Kelly Ladder 105
Firefighter Thomas Kennedy Ladder 101
Lieutenant Ronald Kerwin Squad 288
Firefighter Michael Kiefer Ladder 132
Firefighter Robert King Jr. Engine 33
Firefighter Scott Kopytko Ladder 15
Firefighter William Krukowski Ladder 21
Firefighter Kenneth Kumpel Ladder 25
Firefighter Thomas Kuveikis Squad 252
Firefighter David LaForge Ladder 20
Firefighter William Lake Rescue 2
Firefighter Robert Lane Engine 55
Firefighter Peter Langone Squad 252
Firefighter Scott Larsen Ladder 15
Lieutenant Joseph Leavey Ladder 15
Firefighter Neil Leavy Engine 217
Firefighter Daniel Libretti Rescue 2
Paramedic Carlos Lillo Battalion 49
Firefighter Robert Linnane ladder 20
Firefighter Michael Lynch Engine 40
Firefighter Michael Lynch Ladder 4
Firefighter Michael Lyons Squad 41
Firefighter Patrick Lyons Squad 252
Firefighter Joseph Maffeo Ladder 101
Firefighter William Mahoney Rescue 4
Firefighter Joseph Maloney Ladder 3
Battalion Chief Joseph Marchbanks Jr. Battalion 57
Lieutenant Charles Margiotta Battalion 22
Firefighter Kenneth Marino Rescue 1
Firefighter John Marshall Ladder 27
Lieutenant Peter Martin Rescue 2
Lieutenant Paul Martini Engine 201
Firefighter Joseph Mascali Tactical Support 2
Firefighter Keithroy Maynard Engine 33
Firefighter Brian McAleese Engine 226
Firefighter John McAvoy Ladder 3
Firefighter Thomas McCann Battalion 8
Lieutenant William McGinn Squad 18
Battalion Chief William McGovern Battalion 2
Firefighter Dennis McHugh Ladder 13
Firefighter Robert McMahon Ladder 20
Firefighter Robert McPadden Engine 23
Firefighter Terence McShane Ladder 101
Firefighter Timothy McSweeney Ladder 3
Firefighter Martin McWilliams Engine 22
Firefighter Raymond Meisenheimer Rescue 3
Firefighter Charles Mendez Ladder 7
Firefighter Steve Mercado Engine 40
Firefighter Douglas Miller Rescue 5
Firefighter Henry Miller Jr. Ladder 105
Firefighter Robert Minara Ladder 25
Firefighter Thomas Mingione Ladder 132
Lieutenant Paul Mitchell Battalion 1
Captain Louis Modafferi Rescue 5
Lieutenant Dennis Mojica Rescue 1
Firefighter Manuel Mojica Squad 18
Firefighter Carl Molinaro Ladder 2
Firefighter Michael Montesi Rescue 1
Captain Thomas Moody Division 1
Battalion Chief John Moran Battalion 49
Firefighter Vincent Morello Ladder 35
Firefighter Christopher Mozzillo Engine 55
Firefighter Richard Muldowney Jr. Ladder 7
Firefighter Michael Mullan Ladder 12
Firefighter Dennis Mulligan Ladder 2
Lieutenant Raymond Murphy Ladder 16
Lieutenant Robert Nagel Engine 58
Firefighter John Napolitano Rescue 2
Firefighter Peter Nelson Rescue 4
Firefighter Gerard Nevins Rescue 1
Firefighter Dennis O'Berg Ladder 105
Lieutenant Daniel O'Callaghan Ladder 4
Firefighter Douglas Oelschlager Ladder 15
Firefighter Joseph Ogren Ladder 3
Lieutenant Thomas O'Hagan Battalion 4
Firefighter Samuel Oitice Ladder 4
Firefighter Patrick O'Keefe Rescue 1
Captain William O'Keefe Division 15
Firefighter Eric Olsen Ladder 15
Firefighter Jeffery Olsen Engine 10
Firefighter Steven Olson Ladder 3
Firefighter Kevin O'Rourke Rescue 2
Firefighter Michael Otten Ladder 35
Firefighter Jeffery Palazzo Rescue 5
Battalion Chief Orio Palmer Battalion 7
Firefighter Frank Palombo Ladder 105
Firefighter Paul Pansini Engine 10
Battalion Chief John Paolillo Battalion 11
Firefighter James Pappageorge Engine 23
Firefighter Robert Parro Engine 8
Firefighter Durrell Pearsall Rescue 4
Lieutenant Glenn Perry Ladder 25
Lieutenant Philip Petti Battalion 7
Lieutenant Kevin Pfeifer Engine 33
Lieutenant Kenneth Phelan Engine 217
Firefighter Christopher Pickford Engine 201
Firefighter Shawn Powell Engine 207
Firefighter Vincent Princiotta Ladder 7
Firefighter Kevin Prior Squad 252
Battalion Chief Richard Prunty Battalion 2
Firefighter Lincoln Quappe Rescue 2
Lieutenant Michael Quilty Ladder 11
Paramedic Ricardo Quinn Battalion 57
Firefighter Leonard Ragaglia Engine 54
Firefighter Michael Ragusa Engine 250
Firefighter Edward Rall Rescue 2
Firefighter Adam Rand Squad 288
Firefighter Donald Regan Rescue 3
Lieutenant Robert Regan Ladder 118
Firefighter Christian Regenhard Ladder 131
Firefighter Kevin Reilly Engine 207
Captain Vernon Richard Ladder 7
Firefighter James Riches Rescue 4
Firefighter Joseph Rivelli Jr. Ladder 25
Firefighter Michael Roberts Engine 214
Firefighter Michael Roberts Ladder 35
Firefighter Anthony Rodriguez Engine 279
Firefighter Matthew Rogan Ladder 11
Firefighter Nicholas Rossomando Rescue 5
Firefighter Paul Ruback Ladder 25
Firefighter Stephen Russell Engine 55
Lieutenant Michael Russo Special Operations
Battalion Chief Matthew Ryan Battalion 1
Firefighter Thomas Sabella Ladder 13
Firefighter Christopher Santora Engine 54
Firefighter John Santore Ladder 5
Firefighter Gregory Saucedo Ladder 5
Firefighter Dennis Scauso Haz-Mat Co. 1
Firefighter John Schardt Engine 201
Battalion Chief Fred Scheffold Battalion 12
Firefighter Thomas Schoales Engine 4
Firefighter Gerard Schrang Rescue 3
Firefighter Gregory Sikorsky Squad 41
Firefighter Stephen Siller Squad 1
Firefighter Stanley Smagala Jr. Engine 226
Firefighter Kevin Smith Haz-Mat Co. 1
Firefighter Leon Smith Jr. Ladder 118
Firefighter Robert Spear Jr. Engine 50
Firefighter Joseph Spor Ladder 38
Battalion Chief Lawrence Stack Battalion 50
Captain Timothy Stackpole Division 11
Firefighter Gregory Stajk Ladder 13
Firefighter Jeffery Stark Engine 230
Firefighter Benjamin Suarez Ladder 21
Firefighter Daniel Suhr Engine 216
Lieutenant Christopher Sullivan Ladder 111
Firefighter Brian Sweeney Rescue 1
Firefighter Sean Tallon Ladder 10
Firefighter Allan Tarasiewicz Rescue 5
Firefighter Paul Tegtmeier Engine 4
Firefighter John Tierney Ladder 9
Firefighter John Tipping II Ladder 4
Firefighter Hector Tirado Jr. Engine 23
Firefighter Richard VanHine Squad 41
Firefighter Peter Vega Ladder 118
Firefighter Lawrence Veling Engine 235
Firefighter John Vigiano II Ladder 132
Firefighter Sergio Villanueva Ladder 132
Firefighter Lawrence Virgilio Squad 18
Lieutenant Robert Wallace Engine 205
Firefighter Jeffery Walz Ladder 9
Lieutenant Michael Warchola Ladder 5
Captain Patrick Waters Special Operations
Firefighter Kenneth Watson Engine 214
Firefighter Michael Weinberg Engine 1
Firefighter David Weiss Rescue 1
Firefighter Timothy Welty Squad 288
Firefighter Eugene Whelan Engine 230
Firefighter Edward White Engine 230
Firefighter Mark Whitford Engine 23
Lieutenant Glenn Wilkinson Engine 238
Battalion Chief John Williamson Battalion 6
Captain David Wooley Ladder 4
Firefighter Raymond York Engine 285

A Memorial Wall listing the names of 55 FDNY members who died in the last 10 years due to World Trade Center-related illnesses was unveiled at FDNY Headquarters.

The names included:
Firefighter Robert W. Dillon, Engine Co. 153
Firefighter Vanclive A. Johnson, Ladder Co. 135
Firefighter Russell C. Brinkworth, Ladder Co. 135
Firefighter Edward V. Tietjen, Ladder Co. 48
Firefighter Walter Voight, Ladder Co. 144
Battalion Chief Kevin R. Byrnes, Battalion 7
Firefighter Stephen M. Johnson, Ladder Co. 25
Lieutenant Richard M. Burke, Engine Co. 97
Firefighter Michael Sofia, Engine Co. 165
Firefighter Joseph P. Costello, Battalion Co. 58
Firefighter William R. O'Connor, Ladder Co. 84
Lieutenant Reinaldo Natal, Field Communications Unit
Paramedic Deborah Reeve, EMS Station 20
Fire Marshal William Wilson, Jr., Manhattan Base
Lieutenant Thomas J. Hodges, Engine Co. 313
Firefighter Robert J. Wieber, Engine Co. 262
Lieutenant Joseph P. Colleluori, Jr., Engine Co. 324
Firefighter Michael J. Shagi, Engine Co. 74
Firefighter William R. St. George, Batallion Special Operations Command
Firefighter Raymond W. Hauber, Engine Co. 284
EMS Lieutenant Brian Ellicott, EMS Dispatch
Firefighter William E. Moreau, Engine Co. 166
Lieutenant John P. Murray, Engine Co. 165
Firefighter Sean M. McCarthy, Engine Co. 280
Firefighter Bruce M. Foss, Ladder Co. 108
Firefighter Jacques W. Paultre, Engine Co. 50
Firefighter Kevin M. Delano, Sr., Ladder Co. 142
Lieutenant Vincent J. Tancredi, II, Ladder Co. 47
Paramedic Clyde F. Sealey, Bureau of Health Services
Firefighter Timothy G. Lockwood, Engine Co. 275
Firefighter Edward F. Reilly, Jr., Ladder Co. 160
Firefighter John F. McNamara, Engine Co. 234
Lieutenant Thomas G. Roberts, Ladder Co. 40
Captain Kevin J. Cassidy, Engine Co. 320
Firefighter Joan R. Daley, Engine Co. 63
Firefighter Richard A. Manetta, Ladder Co. 156
Lieutenant Peter J. Farrenkopf, Marine Co. 6
Battalion Chief John J. Vaughan, Battalion Co. 3
Firefighter Robert A. Ford, Engine Co. 284
Paramedic Carene A. Brown, EMS Bureau of Training
Firefighter James J. Ryan, Ladder Co. 167
Lieutenant Robert M. Hess, Ladder Co. 76
EMT Freddie Rosario, EMS Station 4
Lieutenant Harry Wanamaker, Jr., Marine Co. 1
Supv. Commun. Electrician Philip J. Berger, Outside Plant Operations
Firefighter Vincent J. Albanese, Ladder Co. 38
Firefighter John P. Sullivan, Jr., Ladder Co. 34
Firefighter Roy W. Chelsen, Engine Co. 28
Firefighter John F. O'Neill, Ladder Co. 52
Lieutenant Randy J. Wiebicke, Ladder Co. 1
Firefighter Brian C. Malloy, Ladder Co. 80
Lieutenant John A. Garcia, Ladder Co. 5
Firefighter Anthony J. Nuccio, Ladder Co. 175
Fire Marshal Steven C. Mosiello, Chief of Department's Office
Firefighter Carl Capobianco, Ladder Co. 87

Why Advertising Week in New York City Matters

2011-09-01T01:12:00.001-04:00

I originally posted this shortly after last years trip (November 24, 2010) as "The Future of Advertising Looks Bright. Young AdLanders Share What Advertising Week 2010 Meant To Them". As I prepare the planning for this years trip October 3rd-7th I thought it would be great to revisit.

Advertising Week New York 2010.

They say it's better late then never. This post which is a little late in terms of time, but it still offers insights and thoughts that are worthy of sharing.

I invite and travel with 50 students from the Creative Advertising Program at Seneca College to Advertising Week in New York City. This has become the "cornerstone" event of our academic year. They pack their bags, board a luxury coach and get ready for New York and Advertising Week. The anticipation sets in weeks in advance, but it's the final 10 hours of travel time before they will be in New York and what sets the stage for their future career plans and learning from industry leaders and visionaries.

Each year I arrange for private agency visits for my students during Advertising Week to get an opportunity to hear from various creative talents, strategic planners, account management and to take agency tours. This year, we visited: Saatchi & Saatchi hosted by Creative Director Tim Leake, Droga5 with a dynamic discussion lead by David Droga and Julia Albu, Strawberry Frog and Scott Goodson, RGA, Big Spaceship, BBDO, BBDO Atmosphere, TAXI NYC and Virtue/Vice.

Each year I also host a "Key Note" speaker for all students hear from and to have an open Q & A session. Last year I arranged for advertising legend George Lois (see a short video of his thoughts). This year CP+B arranged and hosted our lecture at the One Club with recently named CEO and creative genius Andrew Keller. A full speed 90 minutes of honesty, laughs, thinking and inspiration.

So what were the students most excited about? Agency tours. AdWeek Conferences. Meeting new people. It all comes down to and most importantly one thing, it was about learning, learning something new. Getting an experience that will motivate the students to want to their place in the advertising industry.

So what did my students take with them from Advertising Week? Here is what some of the students that attended Advertising Week had to say:

“New York Advertising week was a great experience for me. The experience was only as great as it was because of the students and the real drive and willingness to learn. The experiences outside of the direct learning from speakers and agency visits allowed me to learn more of who I am and who the people we were around the whole week are. The agency visits to Droga5, and Virtue/Vice really allowed me to see how the style of some agencies are in comparison to the idea of an agency I had before. The speakers also really made an impact on the message I heard and felt.”

- Wilson Lin, Entrepreneur and Aspiring Account Executive

"Advertising Week in itself was an experience, from hearing Russel Simmons speak at a panel to visiting Droga5, Advertising Week 2010 left me with a new perspective on advertising. It helped me to realize that everything I do is in my own hands. In an industry that impacts so many people on so many levels, it's hard to wrap your mind around the fact that everything is in YOUR hands".

- Sabrina Tricarico, Aspiring Art Director

“I was able to visit Saatchi & Saatchi and BBDO. From both agencies I got to hear it straight from the current professionals about creativity, the creative process, and insights regarding the the structure of creative teams and how they're changing. Personally, that gave me a good insight as to what to expect in terms of the direction the ad world is moving and I also got to hear what they expect from us as aspiring creatives. Big Spaceship was a whole other can of worms. Not only did they structure their agency with absence on conventional job titles, this was my first (and only) view of an ad agency outside of Canada that is solely based on the rapidly growing, interactive side of the industry. Not only did i get a good sit down to hear what is creativity to them, but also get a good (for a lack of better term) lecture on how interactive is different from what we know orthodox advertising to be".

"Overall, not only did I get reassurance, but also I feel that the profs we know have been pointing us in a certain direction, and these agency tours, in a way, cleaned up the path a little more.”

- Nas Mohamed, Aspiring Art Director

"Ad Week in New York this year was by far and away the most thought provoking, inspiring and engaging period in my life to date. The knowledge I gained from hearing great minds like; Dave Droga, Scott Goodson and Andrew Keller was something that has had a profound change on my new career.

Listening to where the future of advertising is going from people who play an integral role in changing it was awe inspiring. They spoke of a future that will highlight the need to constantly keep the consumer engaged at whatever the cost. We are already seeing the power of social media being integrated with brands and that concept, in some cases, has yielded amazing returns. Some of the more recent examples are the Old Spice Facebook campaign, the Subservient Chicken and even movies like Catfish, The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. Creating movements married to brands is something that will not only keep consumers loyal but will allow them to regard brands in ways never before seen in the company/consumer relationship".

"Throughout Ad Week I learned a great deal from many people but one experience stood out for me in particular. Meeting and listening to Andrew Keller, now CEO of Crispin, Porter + Bogusky was something that will resonate with me for the rest of my career. He talked to our class about how to get into the industry (and how he got in), the values of maintaining a personal/family life (which we’re sometimes told is very hard to do) and talked in depth to us about some of the different campaigns he’s worked on. What surprised me the most from the talk we had with him was that he’s just a really nice, down to earth and humble individual. For someone in his position he has no ego and to be honest, you don’t expect that from the CEO of one of, if not the best ad agencies in the world. In a nutshell, Andrew Keller is the type of guy you dream of growing up to be".

- Adam Bercovici, Aspiring Account Planner/Strategist

"Given the opportunity to attend New York Advertising Week was a remarkable experience, both academically and socially. The events I participated in included meeting some of the most influential industry leaders and getting the chance to attend and tour some of the most creative agencies in the world. This was definitely an experience I will never forget.

Being a student of advertising and getting the opportunity to visit a city with some of the most engaging and astonishing ads was an opportunity I am absolutely grateful for. It definitely put a lot into perspective in terms of the endless opportunities within the advertising industry and where I see myself within the industry. New York was unquestionably one of the most engaging cities and I would definitely recommend the trip to all students who get the opportunity to go".

- Lillian Hammah, Aspiring Strategist

"I visited Saatchi & Saatchi, Big Spaceship and Strawberry Frog. Each agency taught me something different. Saatchi gave me a classic, corporate feel. Big Spaceship open concept and small interactive agency = agency of future. Strawberry Frog somewhere in between and gave me the idea of creating a cultural movement. The trip was a good motivation for me to do well in school and get my portfolio ready to get a job. I got a lot out of it information wise. There is no reason not to go. on".

- Jeremy Gross, Aspiring Copywriter

“The thing that everybody got out of it was that they realized that advertising is now a fully integrated team. Technology has to be emphasized. At the core, the consumer is top-of-mind. Doesn’t matter how advanced technology is, we still have to understand all their hopes and fears. Talk the talk and walk the walk. The most fun was visiting great agencies like, Droga5, Strawberry Frog and BBDO Atmosphere and being treated like equals, not like students. We were able to bond with our fellow students and got to learn some cool things about each other. Loved the insightful presentations and I recommend anybody who is serious about advertising to go next. Make a piggy bank and save your pennies now for next year’s Advertising Week"

- David Taller, Aspiring Art Director

"Advertising Week was great. I was able to tour several incredible agencies like Vice and Big Spaceship, where they taught us the differences between traditional and non-traditional media. I had a great time listening to Nick Law’s presentation from RGA. The speakers were wonderful and on top of that, I picked up a few presentation tips regarding how to connect with the audience as you speak".

- Kristina Tran, Aspiring Strategist

"The overall experience was an eye opener because you learned about advertising in a popular place like New York. Everything is more concentrated in terms of what we know from Toronto to New York. The Accounts were larger scales and almost everyone you saw or heard of were icons in Advertising which was amazing, like David Droga, Andrew Keller and Bob Greenberg. I was able to visit Droga5 and Vice which were really cool".

"A lot of us students bonded and were given a great opportunity to become closer friends. We saw a variety of great speakers who weren’t known as “advertising people,” people like Marc Echo and Russell Simmons, their point-of-views and opinions and how they forecasted the future was very interesting because you’re gaining perspectives from entrepreneurs and how they branded themselves, which is something us students are focusing on every day".

- Vishal Raj, Aspiring Strategic Planner

"I had the pleasure of visiting Virtue/Vice and BBDO Atmosphere. From all 3 agencies, I felt it gave me personal assurance that this career path is what I want to do. It was also amazing to talk to creative directors, account executives and also what I thought was awesome was that at BBDO, they actually had 3 students who are currently interning there tell us about their experience and how it is working for BBDO. My overall experience at Advertising Week was amazing, it gave me self confidence and reassurance on the path I am going. It was also great too hear from the sources themselves on what they are looking for in an intern and what it takes to stand out from others".

- Gunika Ahluwalia, Aspires to be in Account Services

"The first agency I had the chance to visit for Advertising Week was Droga5. I really felt that they are balancing the traditional style of agency with the new open concept style very well. The space itself manages to be extremely inclusive to all departments however manages to keep them separate and specific. One of the first things I noticed at Droga5 was that every person in the shop had a huge smile on their face and seemed to be genuinely happy. This is very important for an agency, especially a creative one, as unhappy employees are not often the most creative!"

"Another agency that us students had the chance to visit was Strawberry Frog. This is one of the coolest agencies I have ever seen. The way in which they operate and the philosophies they follow for their creative are just amazing. Strawberry Frog is all about creative social and cultural movements. This mode of thinking is incredible because it truly forces the creative to connect to the masses by interacting with the individual"

"Finally, I had the chance to check out Big Spaceship. This agency quickly became the #1 place in New York that I would like to be interning at. They work in a total open concept space and include all facets of their teams in the creative process from the intern to the CEO. They were different than most agencies, with different titles and job descriptions. Big Spaceship really pushed the idea that you don't have to follow convention to be successful in advertising; in fact, they demonstrated the contrary".

- Michael Potash, Aspiring Copywriter

Each year I review and ask myself, "how can I top this next year". I am certain that the next group of students will make Advertising Week a wonderful experience of their own.

Once gain the students have taken various lessons, opportunities and plan to apply them to their daily lives and career planning.

I remind my students everyday of a personal mantra, a very simple ten words, two letters each statement, “IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME”. A simple mantra that students need to remind themselves each day. Find inspiration and believe in yourself. You set your path.

AdMissions Review: Burger King Whopper "Ring Master" Spot Visits Old School Gag

2011-08-21T22:55:00.000-04:00

Interesting challenge put to the National Post AdMissions team this past week. We reviewed a spot for the renamed Burger King Whopper Ring Master (formerly known as the Bourbon Whopper). The spot called upon an old school gag of "hide the engagement ring in the food" trick. SO do are two young lovers seal the deal or do we see the girl as a gold-digger"? Overall the spot is simple and sweet. In fact it works but only for the required final shot.

I think Henry Wong of Tanzig Toronto (bonus if you know where the agency name came from without Google) added a great note in his review, "... there are two versions: A 30-second and a 15-second. Thirty-second ads are a good length to tell such a story. Fifteen-second ads – no. The shortened version lacks the time needed for the action and reaction of two funny actors. As well as to show the requisite mouth-watering product shot". Take a look at the :15sec version and you see it exactly how this spot fails and the :30sec wins.

Here's my AdMissions Review:

You know you might have a great spot when it can make you laugh, cry and then turn to prayer. Well after seeing the Burger King Ring Master Whopper spot I did laugh at how Taxi 2 managed to pull out the old school gag of “hide the ring” in the food. Sheesh, 1974 called and wants its gag back.

But after seeing the spot a couple more times that laughter turned to tears of disappointment when I thought about the audience that was likely hoping (if not encouraging) for the perky blonde gold-digger to not check the burger, eat the ring, choke and be forever silenced. All that was left was a few prayers for the poor chump left thinking he was a little more original.

Yup, I laughed, I cried and now a couple of Bloody Marys er … Hail Marys … will ensure that I will never forget the BK Ring Master Whopper. Success, I guess, since I never remembered this Whopper was originally known as the Bourbon Whopper. Bartender..

The Burger King Whopper Ring Master :30sec

The Burger King Whopper Ring Master :15sec

Read the full AdMission Teams reviews: National Post AdMissions

AdMissions Review: Facebook Fans Drive Volkswagen Ad Campaign "Drive Until"

2011-08-16T01:34:00.005-04:00

Red Urban Toronto created an new campaign called "Drive Until" for the Volkswagen Golf and it has been generating great attention. Created as a series of spots or chapters titled "Courage" and "Time". Chapters one and two each drew upon memorable soundtracks, emotional and thoughtful story lines leading to the potential of endless chapters. But VW and Red Urban created even greater intrigue when it offered up the opportunity for followers of the VW Facebook page to help bring to life Chapter 3, the next part of the story. It has finally been launched and is titled "Talk".

For the final chapter of the trilogy, Red Urban asked Facebook fans of Volkswagen to collaborate and create the script, choose a cast and pick the music. "Talk" is by far my favorite. Red Urban posted the :45sec spot as part of 2 minute film version that gives credit to all the "fans" that offered their thoughts and contributions.

Christina Yu the EVP, Executive Creative Director noted, "Volkswagen translates as "The People's Car" and was is founded on the democratization of mobility, so its seems fitting to open up the 'Drive Until' Campaign and invite people to help create the next commercial in the series. We like to call the initiative the "Volks ad".

Das Smart.

Very cool wrap on the trilogy.

Here's my AdMissions Review

It's taught at every level of film and ad schools that to be a great storyteller you need the right mix of ingredients. Two of these are great images to capture the viewer's eye, the other is adopting the right soundtrack to evoke emotion.

These two vignette spots fully captured the view and emotions of real life through beautiful photography and direction by Jean-Michel Ravon and Red Urban Toronto.

If the two spots "Courage" and "Time" are the start to the campaign, which will unfold in a series of chapters, it will be a best seller. And now calling upon the very loyal and deeply passionate Volkswagen nation to come along for the ride by writing the next chapters via Facebook will add the authenticity too often missing in serial ad campaigns.

Curious to see how the next chapters will unfold bringing together the user content, the agency filters and the client bravery.

Be brave Volkswagen. Be brave. Wish there was a LOVE+ button.

Note: Since the posting of the original AdMissions review Chapter Three was released see below.

Volkswagen "Drive Until" Chapter One: "Courage"

Volkswagen "Drive Until" Chapter Two: "Time"

Volkswagen "Drive Until" Chapter Three: "Talk"

Read the full AdMission Teams reviews: National Post AdMissions

AdMissions Review: "Sie Sind Verrückt!" - Playland Vancouver Goes For The Big Tease

2011-08-16T00:43:00.002-04:00

Rethink Vancouver has won more awards for the Vancouver amusement park Playland then you can shake a stick at... and rightfully so. This latest spot features the latest ride addition, "Atmosfear".

I have always loved the creative for Playland because they generally creates a big buzz, amuse and give the viewer an understanding of the actual ride experience without actually experiencing it.

Here's my review of the spot for AdMissions.

"Sie sind verrückt!" (That means, "You must be crazy," in German).

You must be crazy if you don't love a great cliché either, and here we have one of the best subtly at work: "Only an awesome feat of engineering and thrill can be delivered if the Germans are behind it" (insert snicker or snooze).

Great tease, and it may be crazy, but what is it? What is Atmosfear? A coaster? A thrill ride? I guess I wanted a bit more of an idea of what I was in for, especially if it's designed by Germans (again, insert a snicker or snooze).

A simple, subtle hint - a model at the desk, a blueprint during the presentation - because after all, it's "only" a chair attached to chains spinning 200 feet above the earth at 70 kilometres an hour that would likely have you revisiting the pound of fudge or half-gallon of cola you downed with your deep-fried burrito.

Less tease, more action. Me, I'm staying safely on the ground.

Playland - "Atmosfear"

Read the full AdMission Teams reviews: National Post AdMissions

Lee Clow At Ground Zero of California Cool: Think Different - The Surfer's Journal 20.4 Feature

2011-08-15T15:44:00.003-04:00

I've been reading The Surfer's Journal now for about 15 years... yup I may be landlocked but I'm passionate about surfing from a very young age during my summer's spent in Ocean City, New Jersey. No big waves, but enough to fuel an young boys interest. Life on the beach can do that.

When I briefly moved to California in 1981 I spent many a weekend admiring and watching the surfers off the Manhattan Beach Pier, Santa Monica Pier and countless beaches along the PCH.

This story features the 68 year-old Lee Clow from his many complex sides. Creative genius, hardcore surfer and passionate life-liver (okay I made that word up) and every piece of Lee in between. From his early days at Santa Monica College to his army stint at Fort Bliss, Texas (okay that name is just too cool) to being landlocked in New Mexico (he notes "I never understood how people can live out there or anywhere in the middle of the continent) to staring in advertising at NW Ayer and finally hitting full stride when he campaigned Chiat/Day CD Hy Yablonka and landed upright. The rest is history. A brilliant history.

Read the excerpt at The Surfers Journal 20.4

"Lee Clow At Ground Zero of California Cool: Think Different"

BTW Consider buying TSJ, the stories are from surfer's and images will find you booking your next vacation.

Watch this video to better understand "Give Me Water, Give Me Surf or Kill Me Now"

Bill Bernbach at 100 ~ The Legend That Was Bill Bernbach He Sold A Nazi Car & Jewish Bread. "Not To Be Different Is Virtual Suicide".

2011-08-13T12:19:00.006-04:00

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY BILL... YOUR LEGACY LIVES ON.

Originally posted this March 28th, 2010 as post to introduce the "legends" or the "original" Mad Men of our business to my students. To date this post has had over 5,800 visits. Enjoy!

Bill Bernbach believed in a simple truth, “In advertising, not to be different is virtual suicide.” From this simple quote he and his legendary colleagues created and made major contributions to what we refer to as the "auteur" of the Creative Revolution. or advertising's "Golden Age".

He was a philosopher, a scientist, a humanitarian. And his influence was felt well beyond the world of advertising.

Bill Bernbach indeed changed the face of advertising forever.
In the rich history of the advertising, there were far more David Oglivy's, Hal Riney's and Shirley Polykoff's than there were Bill Bernbach's.

Hey, he sold a post war America that defeated the Nazi's a German car, the Volkswagen and convinced a the nation "You Don't Have to be Jewish to Love Levy's" rye bread".

When Advertising Age published their "Advertising Century" issue in 1999, they referred to Bernbach's creative revolution as "the most influential" and the Bernbach name was "the hands-down winner" as the number one " Advertising Person of the Century". When defining Bernbach they added he created the "devising creative yardstick by which most advertising today is measured."In the same issue, DDB's included 1959's "Think Small" Volkswagen advertisements, which was voted the No. 1 campaign of all time in Advertising Age’s 1999 “The Century of Advertising.

The Beginning of the Creative Revolution

On June 1, 1949, Bill Bernbach opened Doyle Dane Bernbach. Joined by partners Ned Doyle, Maxwell Dane they started what would become better known as DDB and the creative agency that began a creative revolution with 13 employees, one client and a point of view that was very different from any other agency that existed at the time: that good taste, good art and good writing could be good selling.

DDB opened its spartan offices at 350 Madison Avenue. All 13 employees came from the ranks of Grey Advertising where Bernbach truly established himself as a writer and found his "creative" voice. The exodus from Grey included the cream of its copy and art departments, Phyllis Robinson and Bob Gage. The Grey exodus also included DDB's first client, Orbach's department store. Each principal had his job to do, a division of labor that kept them out of each others hair. "There was no strongest among us," Max Dane once said, "We each had our function and never had to fight the others for authority. Ned handled the clients. Bill produced the product. And I ran the infrastructure and even a little public relations. I never told Bill that for several years I had earned my living as a copywriter with the agency."

DDB invented the "Creative Team", the art and copy team concept, by pairing Bob Gage Hall of Fame Art Director & Phyllis Robinson copywriter. History refers to them as the first "Creative Team", the original art and copy combination. In the early 1960s another Art Director named George Lois would work on the legendary Volkswagen ads "Think small" and "Lemon".

From DDB's founding in 1949, Bernbach played an integral role in the writing of advertising, distancing himself from the administrative and promotional aspects of the business. He served as the creative engine behind DDB helping the company increase its billings from approximately $1 million to more than $40 million by the time he retired. DDB quickly grew to become the 11th largest advertising agency in America by 1976, when Bernbach stepped aside as chief executive officer.

Bernbach the ad man "philosopher" believed to be interesting you have to say things in ways other people don’t—but can still relate to. "To be heard, you have to say interesting things as often and in as many places as possible. To be understood, you have to communicate clearly. And to tell the truth, you have to tell the truth, which can be found in everything. For example, Satan is undeniably “the most evil man in the world,” so if you are ever hired by the devil to sell more immorality, brand him as such in a creatively loud way and you’re gold".

Bernbach's advertising philosophy went contrary to convention. His ads were always fresh, simple, and intelligent, yet exuded energy. He advocated a soft-sell technique to draw in the consumer that resulted in the product not getting lost in the advertising.

Above all he valued innovation and intuition over science and rules. In an interview, he credited his creativity as being the secret of his success, saying, "I think I...had the advantage of not knowing too much about advertising, and therefore I could be fresher and more original about it. As soon as you become a slave to the rules, you’re doing what everybody else does; when you do what everybody else does, you don’t stand out."

Simplicity was another quality exhibited in Bernbach’s work. His copywriting philosophy revolved around the idea that persuasion was the purpose of advertising and that only a simple approach would "make crystal clear and memorable the message of the advertisement." By incorporating creativity, simplicity and humor into his advertisements, Bernbach was able to create some of the most successful campaigns in the history of advertising.

Bernbach believed that copy is more important than market research, graphs, formal presentations and much of the other paraphernalia that dominate many agencies of the era, he said in a 1958 Time Magazine article that, "We get people to look and listen by being good artists and writers. We don't expect of research what it is unable to do. It won't give you a great idea."

Bernbach never believed in à la mode advertising. His creative philosophy was outlined in a guide he once wrote:

“Merely to let your imagination run riot, to dream unrelated dreams, to indulge in graphic acrobatics and verbal gymnastics is not being creative. The creative person has harnessed his imagination. He has disciplined it so that every thought, every idea, every line he draws, every light and shadow in every photograph he takes, makes more vivid, more believable, more persuasive the original theme or product advantage he has decided he must convey.”

If Bernbach believed a product could not live up to its advertising, he would not take on the client.
He strongly believed that advertising success hinged on the quality of the product. One of Bernbach’s most quoted lines is "[N]othing makes a bad product fail faster than a great advertising campaign." This guiding principle led DDB to select only products that could live up to their advertising.
In the book "Ad Land - A Global Advertising History" by Mark Tungate writes

"DDB was more like a hip jazz combo than an advertising agency" and Bernbach once compared its work to that of jazz great Thelonius Monk, founder of bebop (1)As a leader it is clear Bernbach was not afraid to be visible, tap into the culture of the time and break down barriers. He was also very clear about the type of people he wanted to recruit. He insisted the people hired fulfill two requirements: They had to be talented and they had to be nice. “If you were nice but without talent, we were very sorry but you just wouldn’t do,” he observed. “We had to ‘make it,’ and only great talent would help us do that. If you were a great talent but not a nice person, we had no hesitation in saying ‘no.’ Life is too short to sacrifice so much of it to living with a bastard.” (2). True to his beliefs, and borrowing from his mentor, William Weintraub, DDB was the first to hire ethnic minorities and women into visible and decision-making positions.

William (Bill) Bernbach - The Man

Bernbach was born August 13, 1911, in New York City ( he passed away of Leukemia October 2, 1982). As a child he enjoyed reading and writing verse and grew up with an appreciation of art. With the exception of a two-year tour of duty during World War II, Bernbach never strayed far from his roots in New York City.

Bernbach liked to hint that he came from a deprived background, saying that "he had no middle name because his parent’s couldn’t afford one". However, his family was better off than most, his father being described by Bernbach as "an austere but elegant designer of women’s clothes".

He attended New York University, receiving a bachelor's degree in literature in 1933. Bernbach also pursued studies in art, philosophy, and business administration that would serve him well during his career.

Job hunting during the Depression years would be a challenge as he decided upon advertising as his preferred field, he was unable to obtain work.

As many of "legendary", Bernbach started at the bottom of the corporate ladder, the mailroom of Schenley Distillers Company. But he always seemed to have his mind focused on an advertising career, he found himself spending his free hours creating ads, and once submitted one of his ads to Schenley's in-house advertising department but received no response. Soon after his submission he would see his ideas and words appear exactly as he had written them, in the New York Time Sunday Magazine. With some anger in his blood, the young Bernbach in a masterstroke of networking he made the acquaintance and made sure that Lewis Rosenthiel, the president of Schenley knew of the ad's true origin and creator. Rosenthiel appreciated Bernbach's creative spirit, and gave Bernbach a raise and placed him in the advertising department. He had begun his ad "agency" career as a writer with the opening of William Weintraub & Co. in 1942, but the following year he would join the army and spend two years in the army before returning to advertising and taking a job at Grey Advertising.

In 1945 Bernbach, became the Vice President of the Grey Art and Copy departments. There, while working on the account of Ohrbach's, a low-priced Manhattan and Los Angeles department store, he stressed sophistication instead of price with the eye-catching illustration and a minimum of copy that later became his trademark, best scene in Ohrbach's "Cat" ad. But he found his style crimped by conventional ad concepts. He left Grey in early 1949 to form DDB with Grey Vice President Ned Doyle and a friend, Maxwell Dane. To no ones surprise he took the Ohrbach account along as the nucleus of the new agency.

Throughout his career, Bernbach won many awards and honors for his work within the advertising industry. These include induction into the Copywriters Hall of Fame in 1964, The Man of the Year of Advertising Award in 1964 and 1965, and The Pulse Inc., Man of the Year Award in 1966. He was also named "Top Advertising Agency Executive" in 1969 and received the American Academy of Achievement Award in 1976. In addition to receiving countless awards, he also designed the Advertising Hall of Fame "Golden Ladder" trophy.

But no bigger tribute or achievement would be made when he was inducted into the Art Directors Club of New York in 1983. It was said that Bill Bernbach was a discoverer and he was the art director’s first great benefactor. He loved to discover art directors; and he loved to purr and revel at their magical power to conjure images. So there was no way that Bernbach would start the world’s first "creative agency" (having worked with the dazzling Paul Rand) without Bob Gage, Bernbach’s most inspired discovery, and years later George Lois.

The Bernbach Effect

Bernbach stressed a simplicity, but a striking idea, a specific selling point that got across a message without a lot of talk. He had a disdain for the use of gimmicks to lure readers. Said he: "A picture of a man standing on his head would get attention, but the reader would feel tricked by the gimmick-unless, of course, we were trying to sell a gadget to keep change in his pocket."

He got a reputation for being an adman's adman, for putting small accounts on a level with big ones.
He made an once obscure New York bread one of the city's best known with ads showing nibbled slices and the message, "New York is eating it up." Among the agency's other memorable ideas came for Israel's El Al airline's new, faster Britannia plane service, with a picture of the Atlantic Ocean one-fifth torn away ""Starting Dec. 23, the Atlantic Ocean will be 20% smaller".

Great writing and simple visual were his trademark on the breakthrough work created for Volkswagen, other notable campaigns of Bernbach's and DDB are "We Try Harder" for Avis Car Rental", created "Mikey" for Life Cereal, "You Don't Have to be Jewish to Love Levy's" for Levy's Rye Bread and "It's so simple" made Polaroid a household camera.

What Made the Bernbach Effect Different?

What made Bernbach’s vision of how to make advertising work effectively? Take the Volkswagen campaign which was launched in 1959 with the famous “Think Small” ad. If there was one ad that marked the start of the golden era of advertising, “Think Small” was the one. (NOTE: According to Advertising Age, the No. 1 campaign of the 20th century).

But how did the decade of the Sixties differ from the decade of the Fifties? There was a summary that appeared on a blog called The Brand Strategy Insider that analyzed 146 automobile advertisements from the 1950s and compared them with the Volkswagen ad:

Almost all of the 1950s auto ads (137 advertisements, or 94 percent) showed people in the ads. How else was a creative director going to demonstrate the pleasure that car buyers might feel about their new acquisitions?

Almost all of them (135 advertisements, or 92 percent) used artwork, not photography. How else was a creative director going to make the cars look long and low and beautiful?

Most of them (102 or 70 percent) used multiple illustrations. Some single-page advertisements had as many as eight separate illustrations. How else was a creative director going to communicate all of the car’s exciting features except by using a number of different illustrations?

Almost all the ads were in color with hand-lettered headlines, big illustrations and large logotypes. How else was a creative director going to communicate the excitement of buying a new car?

Some typical automobile headlines from the 1950s:

Buick: “You can make your ‘someday’ come true now.

Cadillac: “Maybe this will be the year.”

Oldsmobile: “You’ve got to drive it to believe it!”

Chevrolet: “Filled with grace and great new things.”

Now compare these ads with “Think small.” The Volkswagen ad was in black and white with a small illustration, lots of white space and a headline totally lacking in news value. Everybody knew that Beetles were small cars.

At the time the ad ran, Volkswagen had been in the American market for nine years, had sold more than 350,000 vehicles and had generated a lot of favorable publicity.

As our industry is currently under a new a new "creative revolution", but this one is being lead and influenced by technology first. But it to be compared to the "original revolution", we must remember it was Bernbach's ideas and keen insights into human nature may be more relevant than ever. His timeless words have inspired thousands of creative men and women around the world. They have the power to inspire many more.

The advertising industry worships the creative process. At Cannes and at countless other places, the industry lavishes praise on its creative folks. The people who think up these wonderful ads. But it’s a rare individual who is good at recognizing the power of an idea once it is created. Bill Bernbach was one of those rare masters.

Hmmmmm, I wonder what he might have said about the Press Grand Prix winner at Cannes?
Much to be learned from the masters that came before us.

Below are a series interviews featuring Bill Bernbach and George Lois who at one time was a art director at DDB, plus a series of legendary DDB television ads created during the "Creative Revolution" era.

Bill Bernbach on Advertising ~ Part One Intro

Bill Bernbach on Advertising ~ Part Two

Bill Bernbach on Advertising ~ Part Three

George Lois Talks About Bernbach

George Lois on The Creative Revelution

Retrospective of Bill Bernbach / DDB Work

Volkswagen "Funeral" (The Spot that actually got me into this crazy business)

Volkswagen "Keeping Up With The Klemplers"

Volkswagen "Snowplow"

McDonalds "Two All Beef Patties"

Alka Seltzer "Spicy Meatball"

American Tourister "Goes Ape"

Video Retrospective of Print Ads

BEST OF A View From An AdGuy - CP+B's Alex Bogusky Part Two - What Every "Student of Advertising" Should Watch -w/ Alex Bogusky, CP+B Creative Directors Dave Swartz and Bill Wright

2011-07-29T10:30:00.008-04:00

Originally posted this February 5th, 2010 as second post simple titled under"What Every Advertising Student Should Watch". There 2 parts to the posting was based on the original "portfolio show" episode of the webcast FearlessQA from Alex Bogusky and CP+B. I have had over 7,500 visits to these specific post. Enjoy!

A few months back I posted a piece that I simple titled "What Every Advertising Student Should Watch", the posting was based on the "portfolio show" episode of the recently introduced webcast FearlessQA from Alex Bogusky and CP+B. Much to my surprise between my Blogger and Posterous blogspots I have had over 3,500 visits to that specific topic. Since that original post I also posted a message about finding how you define yourself, are you a "Student of Advertising" or an "Advertising Student".

Yet again, FearlessQA has hit another "Homer Run" with this episode on "Old School" advertising. Odd title on first glimpse, but the as the subject unfolded... WOWzer, it easily became "What Every Student of Advertising Should Watch Part Two - Alex Bogusky with CP+B Creative Directors Dave Swartz and Bill Wright.

The show was promoted on the idea of "Old School", upon first hearing this some of my students suggested we tell Alex to think about "dressing" the role, kinda "Don Draper" like. Well that's not what show delivered (nice hat Alex). Yes, "old school" was the concept... but message was timeless. Timeless because it is truly what every "Student of Advertising" should know. It may even seem that Alex and his guest are "old school" but in fact they are the "bridge" between old school and today as we move forward.

"Old School is not about doing it for a long time... it's more about what we have done and have forgotten... the craft of the business"
"Creative's must blend the craft and the knowledge of what has come before them and what is happening now... if you don't have that perspective, then something will get lost".

- Alex Bogusky FearlessQA

I remember my first informational and job interviews and being asked, "who did I follow... who inspired me"? Seemed like a trick question, but I knew the answer needed, I needed to demonstrate how I developed my craft. Who inspired me was about the past, while who do I follow was for identifying my knowledge of the moment. Oddly, my response was always quick and simple. The people who created the craft of "the big idea", Bill Bernbach, David Olgilvy, George Lois, Rosser Reeves and Leo Burnett, they inspired me. As an Art Director I studied Herb Lubalin and the art of typography, Helmut Krome, Paul Rand, they inspired the craft of Art Direction. That was my "school", neither "old" or "current"... it was my education. (Note: My Professor Ken Coleman actual inspired me to travel to New York to have my portfolio reviewed by both Herb Lubalin and Milton Glaser who at the time was the Design Director of the Village Voice, today viewed as the "old testiment" of old school.

What makes this episode a "must watch", is the insights of what you should be reading. I take some heat about having a "suggested" reading list that is about 100 books deep, but really where will you find it one place. Sadly, I see too many hours wasted on "Ads of the World", a wonderful site, but the navigation through "real" and "spec" ads can be cumbersome. But, does it really teach you about the craft? No, there is not point of reference, that is why the good old "book" on the shelf can't be beat. Between the covers is the story of "How".

"I'm speaking from a person who has no respect for advertising that has come before because of craft... just blow it up... blow it up... over and over... advertising is supposed to be timely, it's supposed to be about the NOW... but know the people and know the thinking... because they blew it up before you blow it up and before I blew it up... you're not going to be able to blow things up unless you know and understand the thinking behind the idea. Study the masters of the trade".
- Alex Bogusky FearlessQA

Bill Wright started at CP+B as a copywriter showed two books that should top everyone's book list. First, "The Book of Gossage" and "The Art of Writing Advertising". Both have been referred to as "the Bible of the Craft of Copywriting". Howard Luck Gossage is commonly referred to as the father of the "Conversational Style" of advertising. The book is more then just a guide to better creative thinking but it displays the thinking any creative needs to understand. "The real fact of the matter is that nobody reads ads. People read what interest them, and sometimes it's an ad” once said to describe what he needed to use as a baseline in any ad he approached. Gossage is often attributed with a line I often quote in lecture, "To explain responsibility to advertising is like trying to convince an eight-year-old that sexual intercourse is more fun than a chocolate ice cream cone", it's what we do, but we never clearly understand that. I guess it comes down to 'know your audience".

David Swartz has his roots is graphic design and joined CP+B as an art director. What brought great joy to me was seeing one of my favorite books appear, Herb Lubalin - Art Director, Graphic Designer and Typographer. This brilliant book was the soul of my development, sadly out of print now (if you can find it, you're looking at $350+ for a copy) it showed why in my book Herb Lubalin was a brilliant art director and designer who, for over forty years, produced a continuous stream of stunning graphic design and in particular expressive typographic ideas. So what makes a great art director? No simple answer was offered but, you need a grand sense of design. You need to study design because you are the backbone of the big idea, the bodygaurd. Understand the concept of "Hierarchy" and "Order", find out and clearly understand what that means, what order does the message need to be delivered. Maybe that's why the best art directors come from art schools and having studied graphic design and typography. Sadly, Dave and Alex do make it clear that maybe technology has ruined the craft of art direction.

I can't express enough why this episode of FearlessQA which could have been a "trip down memory lane" will hopefully remain a "standard" for all "students of advertising" as what you need to know to truly succeed.

BTW... I tried to keep up with the boys and their "bourbon", they drank me under the table.

Required/Suggested Reading:

The Book of Gossage by Howard Luck Gossage; Jeff Goodby and Bruce Bendinger
The Art of Writing Advertising by Denis Higgins
Herb Lubalin - Art Director, Graphic Designer & Typographer by Gertrude Snyder & Alan Peckolick
The Bill Bernbach Book by Bob Levenson
The King of Madison Avenue: David Ogilvy by
When Advertising Tried Harder by Lawrence Dobrow
Creative Advertising by Mario Pricken
The Advertising Concept Book by Pete Barry
Hey Whipple Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan
History of Advertising by Stephane Pincas
Twenty Ads That Shock the World: The Century's Most Groundbreaking Advertising and How it Changes Us All by Bill Twitchell

View the FearLess Episode:

CLICK TO READ and WATCH

Part One - What Every "Student of Advertising" Should Watch -w/ Alex Bogusky and CP+B Creative Director Tiffany Kosel

BEST OF A View From An AdGuy - CP+B's Alex Bogusky Part One - What Every "Student of Advertising" Should Watch - Your Portfolio w/Alex Bogusky and Tiffany Kosel

2011-07-29T10:15:00.010-04:00

What should I put into my portfolio?

What order should it been in?

How many pieces should I have in my portfolio?

I'm a Art Director, does the copy matter?

Should it be about ideas, or is the execution more important?

If I got a nickle for every time I am asked these questions I could blog full-time, sip on 1981 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon and smoke Fuente Opus X Robustos. All of these questions are standard issues, standard concerns and the standard of every young future "AdLander".

But as often as I offer my answers, trusted answers based on my years of reviewing books and making my frequent trips to agency Creative Directors to ask "What should my students have in their portfolios?" I get a different response every time. Whether its how many pieces, size, quality, types of work to include, Print vs. Out of Home, Broadcast YES or broadcast NO, interactive... you get the deal.

NOT once have I got the same answer let alone even get the same recommendations. Simply more questions.

So every year as I set my young AdLanders into gear on building their portfolios I start with one difficult to understand standard line:

"EVERYONE THINKS THEY KNOW WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR PORTFOLIO"

Recently, Alex Bogusky launched a weekly webcast called Fearless Q&A. Part Crispin Porter +Bogusky "news and views", part "self-promotion" but mostly very informational and very, very entertaining. Alex may have another career ahead of him. This past week (November 12th, 2009) Fearless Q&A turned its attention to the portfolio. Alex invited CP+B VP Creative Director Tiffany Kosel to share the stage and more important her thoughts on what makes for a good portfolio.

Tiffany Kosel has won awards at nearly every show out there, from Clios to Cannes Lions. She has worked on campaigns for BMW Mini, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Volkswagen, Burger King, Victoria's Secret, Jawbone and the "Truth" anti-tobacco effort, among others. After being promoted to VP Creative Director in 2008 she is the sole female among eight creative directors at the agency and directs up to 30 people on Old Navy, estimated to be worth a cool $200 million account for CP+B which she also led in the pitch. In June, Advertising Age named her as one of the "Women to Follow" in 2009.

The Fearless Q&A webcast offered some excellent insights and look into what Tiffany herself did to land the gig at CB+P. They both answered more questions then expected, and seeing this episode received more questions the any other episode to date. I can proudly say that my students bombarded the Twitter feed (follow my students on Twitter) in advance and several of my talented creatives submitted portfolios for review.

It was an excellent hour of conversation, the beauty of Twitter and the Justin.Tv it allows for a two-way conversation, live questions as the show goes on. Alex and Tiffany did there best not to just answer questions, but to show some samples of "what makes a idea great". I was proud that one of my students Ryan Dzur get his book shown and mentioned near the end, sadly they never got to give any feedback... the show was over too soon.
One of the questions submitted by my students was need for a portfolio if you are going into account management or strategic planning. I have crafted a unique approach to this type of portfolio over the years and I wasn't surprise that both Alex and Tiffany agree it is more and more important as "creative" is needed in all areas of business. Suits and Planners need to bring more to the table then ever before.

Highlights of the conversation... the basics:

- Show your craft and show your skills
- Be unique, show you can think, find the "difference" in your product/client/brand" (the Graham Crackers are an excellent example)
- Interactive and ambient are critical, show that you know what is fresh and what connects
- Makes sure that what you have are "Big Ideas" not just one-offs
- It really doesn't matter if it's a $10 book or $200 case, it's the work that matters
- Show who you ar, it can be more then just your advertising ideas.

But once it was all over (and too soon I might add), there are still a million questions... but really it's all about "Big Ideas" and "Selling Yourself".

Watch Alex Bogusky and Tiffany Kosel on FearlessQ&A Episode "PORTFOLIO"

CLICK TO READ and WATCH

Part Two - What Every "Student of Advertising" Should Watch -w/ Alex Bogusky, CP+B Creative Directors Dave Schwartz and Bill Wright

BEST OF A View From An AdGuy - Secret Career Advice for Young AdLanders "All it Takes is a Little TLC!"

2011-07-29T00:02:00.002-04:00

Originally posted to the Advertsing Week Blog where I am a member of their original "Blog Squad"

On Day One of Advertising Week 2010 has clearly demonstrated that it has become “The Premier Event” on the advertising calendar. Sure the south of France and Cannes has the big “cache”, but it doesn’t offer the same resources and engagement with industry leaders all in one room.

On the first day I watched the many young “Adlanders” affixed to the voices of a diverse group of industry leaders sharing their knowledge, opinion and insights to where we have come from and where we might be heading. But today a great lesson was shared and learned during a networking opportunity before at the Billboard “Amp'd Up!” opening concert benefiting GeneratioNext. It wasn’t much of an exchange in terms of time, but it was a powerful exchange.

Fellow ”AdWeek BlogSquad” member Allison Walton and I managed to muscle our way to center stage and front row for the “Amp'd Up!” Concert featuring Bruno Mars followed by John Legend with The Roots. Sharing the tight confines found us chatting in a matter of seconds with an amazing young women named Courtney Gallo who works for The Partnership For A Drug Free America. She is a Field Services Manager who has enough passion, energy and spirit to fill the room. As we chatted it was a “gem” of a concept Courtney dropped on Allison who used this chance meeting as a networking opportunity.

“It’s all about TLC”. Brilliant!

Talent. Luck. Contacts.

This simple little concept is what ever young “Adlander” needs to understand.
I chatted with Courtney about how this idea came about and it was clear why she has achieved her career success to date. “You need talent, that’s your stock, that’s your commodity. You won’t get far without a depth of talent”.

“You’re gonna need a bit of luck, maybe lots of luck”, she added. To me luck is about creating opportunity and that’s were the magic of “contacts” comes into the mix. The more contacts made the more opportunities can come about. I thought about it this way, you can buy one lottery ticket, but that’s one “chance” to get lucky, add a few extra and the chances your luck will increase rises.

It became apparent quickly why Courtney strongly believes in this concept, and it didn’t take long for me.

When Creative Truly Love Their Craft

2011-07-21T00:21:00.002-04:00

A MUST SEE SITE: The Black Acre Brewing Co. But please click I am Under 21 ONLY... when your craft truly speaks.

http://bit.ly/n6e4N7

Celebrating David Ogilvy at 100

2011-07-12T09:41:00.001-04:00

Two great new web engagements were created to celebrate the 100th birthday of the advertising pioneer David Ogilvy.

He inspired many to reach greatness as an adman and author.

His agency paved the way for talent to grow and entire industry to reach for greatness.

Both of these engagements are worldwide efforts.

This first effort was courtesy of Ogilvy Cape Town South Africa.

This engagement allows you to show your love to your Twitter and Facebook profiles to share the celebration by turning your profile picture red and you will be added to the webpage image.

Very cool.

1-4-3

2011-07-12T01:00:00.000-04:00

Earlier this year I was given a very cool opportunity by Len Kendall who created the 3six5 Project (Follow on Twitter @the3six5)

Every day for 365 days, a different person will write an entry of 365 words about their experiences that day. The key is that each post somehow relates to what's happening in the world that day and how it relates to them.

Thank you Len it was great fun sharing my thoughts.

Here is my post:

Secret code? I love you? A well-played double play or the rare triple play?

It’s the eve of the Major League Baseball All-Star game. This game marks the midway point of the season and for me marks the “official” start of summer when my world turns to baseball; all levels of baseball, major leagues, minor leagues, local senior leagues and even my sons Little League. Simply, I “1-4-3 baseball”, the SMM text code for “I Love You”, but it is also the way I can recall that critical 5th inning double play that changed a ball game. “1-4-3” is part of a “code” used in enjoying baseball beyond words, “keeping score” or “scoring”.

Baseball is divided into two worlds, those who keep score at a game and those who have not made the leap into the art of “scoring”. After learning how to score a baseball game in 1967 as young boy at Maple Leaf Stadium in Toronto, I realized how much more the game meant to me. “Scoring”, keeps you in the game from first pitch to the final out, recalling every play from batter to batter, inning-to-inning or even years down the road. “Scoring” a game is like keeping “instant replays” at your fingertips.

The baseball scoring “code” is rather easy to comprehend, yet for others it looks as complex as decoding nuclear physics. Every defensive position is assigned a number from the pitcher; number 1 to the right fielder number 9. Once a ball is hit into play you mark what happened within an intricate square on a scorecard; a fly ball hit to leftfield is marked F7, a groundball hit to the shortstop who throws it to first base before the runner reaches is scored 6-3 . Strikeouts are defined by type; a swing and a miss is a K, batter caught looking is scored with a backwards K. Every play is recorded. Knowing the “code” even makes watching (yes watching) baseball on the radio more of a pleasure.

It’s summer; you might find yourself at the ballpark, why not pick up a scorecard and see how you like it. But I warn you, scoring a ball game can be habit forming.

AdMissions Review: WTF! That’s all very well, but what’s the message?

2011-07-12T00:27:00.003-04:00

This ad created by Rain43 for Ontario Power Generation and the Ontario Provincial Police aims to remind people about water safety and the importance of staying away from dams and hydro stations.
This television spot has me still scratching my head.

Here are my thoughts from National Post AdMissions. All summer I will be lending my opinions and POV on ads.

Peaceful waters. Grumpy old man. Man's best friend alongside. Ominous music. Ghostly message. What's the point?

Things I learned from this are that cucumbers can be "tranquilized" and "there is no fury like that of second ex-wife." What I did not learn was the point of this ad.

Public-awareness ads have to deliver a clear message. Preaching your message or being too subtle will have the same effect on the audience -it will be ignored.

Knowing the "headponds" above and below dams and hydro-stations are particularly dangerous, the setting here is your basic tranquil Muskoka waterway. These calm waters could change quickly, and become rapidly moving and dangerous. This point is not clear in the ad.

I can't help but put this up against the clarity of the WSIB "Prevent-it.ca" campaign, but here the message is lost.

I am unapologetic that it took me a few too many viewings to figure out or even get the basic message.

See the complete AdMissions Team reviews Click Here

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AdMissions Review: Fear Not Martini You're Safe.

2011-07-11T00:46:00.002-04:00

It’s summer and that makes it beer season in Canada, and the ads are out to prove it.

This week the "Ad Missions" Team reviewed (and I actually sampled the beer) a TV ad created by CP+B Toronto for Molson Canadian 67 Sublime which pits the low-calorie beer against a martini. Somehow the comparison has fallen short.

I really want to love this cute little 15-second spot.

It has key elements for communicating a strong message for Molson Canadian 67 Sublime. It has a breezy summer patio setting, perfect for a hint of lime beer. It has a woman reaching in with her pink sleeve and well-manicured hand, which is the targeted audience. It states the 67-calorie message, which hits the audience during bikini season. For entertainment, it even has a cuteness factor of a pair of “googly” eyes with a sense of fear in them. What this spot doesn’t offer is a fair comparison, appeal or message. You gotta dig deep to find all this.

Those cute, fear-filled eyes are in fact a pair of olives in a couple of martini glasses that see competition in not being the favoured summer drink of choice. Comparing martinis to beer, even a calorie-conscious lime beer, is like comparing apples to avocados.

Like martinis, beer is all about taste. In this case it’s lime. It’s summer. It’s refreshing. It’s 67 tiny calories. Will women actually favour a beer over a martini? Fear not, my little martini friend, you’re safe for now.

View the spot:

To view the other National Post AdMission Team reviews click here.

When A Magazine Cover Is An Ad

2011-07-10T23:07:00.010-04:00

When does a magazine cover actually become an ad?

Toronto Creative Director and the inspiring author behind the AdTeachings blog Suzanne Pope made a perfect observation:

A magazine’s cover is rightly conceived as the ad that will entice you to pick up the magazine and buy it. Nowhere has that aim been more bluntly expressed than in this classic 1973 cover for National Lampoon.

She is 100% spot on.

Think about every cover you have even seen or might need to design. The cover invites the reader to potentially stop and buy.

This cover caught my eye way back in 1973 as I made my way to the street car platform at the St Clair subway station in Toronto on my way to Northern Secondary High School. It spoke to me. It spoke to my sense of humor. It simply screamed "buy me or else".

After spending many a weekend listening to the National Lampoon Radio Hour from Buffalo, I was hooked and the magazine soon joined my families subscription list. Imagine what the mailman thought when they delivered National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, US News and World Report, MAD Magazine and National Lampoon to our house.

A couple years back a student of mine paid homage to this cover for our Creative Advertising Program at Seneca College when he helped create a series of posters stating "if you don't hire a Seneca Ad grad..." he also created a complete series referring to competing colleges with advertising programs... to bad we could never use them publicly (LOL):

Updating, Fixing and "Best of A View From An AdGuy"

2011-07-08T00:39:00.003-04:00

In the coming days I will be doing some fixing and cleaning up of my blog.

As I went through a of the few older posts I noticed a number of the video links and images were broken so I will fix those were ever I can.

During this search I realized there are a good number of "gems" posted here. So it got me thinking to repost them as a series called "Best of A View From An AdGuy".

As I fix and add I will Tweet out and post to my Facebook page and group page.

Stay tuned.

Peace and respect,

Anthony

Ad Missions: Oreo "Moving Day" - It Dunks at Heartstrings

2011-06-06T23:12:00.003-04:00

I will be spending part of this summer as an “Ad Critic” for the National Post advertising feature titled “Ad Missions”.

Humbled and Honored.

The Ad Missions panel generally consists of academic, marketing and advertising agency executives. We will offer our views and opinions on advertising trends, commercials and all things in between.
This past Friday I made my debut along side advertising industry executives Henry Wong, creative director of Toronto-based Tenzing Communications, and Chris Hall, president of Toronto ad agency Huxley Quayle von Bismark.

Together, we offered up our thoughts on the new Oreo cookies “Moving Day” television ad.
Follow Anthony’s ad reviews as they appear every other week in the Financial Times section of the National Post.

LINK: National Post Ad Missions

Did Twitter and Tumblr Kill My Blog?

2011-06-05T22:18:00.004-04:00

Something just became very apparent and now I realized a few things...

I have neglect my blog for my massive love of Twitter
I fell in equal love with Tumblr
I still love advertising
I want to know everything about everything
This list could be endless

But what happened?

Over the past few months I have had some amazing things happen. New projects, meet some amazing new people and appeared on some pretty strange stages (the ass grab with Gary Vaynerchuk at the Art of Marketing Toronto may be the highlight), but even with these new projects and events it became harder to blog.

I was hardly bored because I was challenging myself; I was determined to understand the power of Twitter and Tumblr and all things under the Social Media sun, all making writting new blog posts that were worth reading harder. It all became very simple putting down in 140 characters or a simple "post to Tumblr" link.

And now I looked at my old friend the "A View From An AdGuy" blog and relize that I have posted so little new content or details of these new opportunities.

So did Twitter and Tumblr kill my blog? Hardly, on my blog there is still a great resource of wonderful content archived there. Information for young AdLanders to get inside the thinking needed to be a better/smarter creative, to become portfolio ready and access to information that will remain of value.
What did I learn about Twitter and Tumblr?

Twitter gave me "instant" access to a new frontier of smart people and information.
Tumblr gave me a new way to post "Thing of Interest" instantly... with or without comment.
New opportunities to "curate" content and indights about advertising, marketing and communication.
In 8 short months I went from a handful of followers to over 4,300.
I had the privileged of being named 2011 winner of The Shorty Award for Advertising Education.
Joined in on a group of highly active and intelligent folks in a pair of Twitter "tribes" called #usguys and #MMchat.
Attended the Wharton School of Business "Future of Advertising" Think Tank in New York by invitation only and because of being of my Twitter presence.

So is my blog dead. Far from it.

Will it grow?

I hope so.

I back.

Cleaning up some dead links. Re-post and update older content.

Maybe even give you a few updates about the great things that have happened over the past few months.

Thanks for your support, interest and mostly time for having interest in what I am thinking.

The Art of Marketing Toronto 2011 - A Day of "Big Brain" Learning

2011-02-21T22:22:00.001-05:00

Mark your calendars once again for Monday March 7th, 2011 for The Art of Marketing Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. After attending last years event I can assure you this is MUST NOT MISS! It is one of the events that will be both informative and inspiring.

This exciting one day conference will feature five internationally renowned bestselling authors, educators and industry leaders who will share an exciting blend of cutting edge thinking and real world experience on today's most critical marketing issues.

No question the biggest topic on every marketing communication practitioners mind is how to get a clearer understanding of how the marketing world is changing, what role communication now plays in the buying decision and the impact on the business bottom line and ultimately how the consumer views, interacts and positions a brand in a very crowded and over saturated marketplace.

Cutting through the clutter today is even more critical, but now consumers have a bigger say in the success and more often the failure of a strategy.

The Art of Marketing event has a stellar group of speakers on tap. Best selling authors and industry influencers include Guy Kawasaki on Creativity and Innovation, Dr. Sheena Iyengar on Consumer Behavior and the Psychology of Choice , Avinash Kaushik on Brand Measurement Metrics and Analytics, Jeffrey Hayzlett on Branding Strategy and Growth and the brilliant Gary Vaynerchuk the “Social Media Sommelier” who address the new world of "Word of Mouth" Marketing and Social Media Influence.

Hosting "The Art of Marketing" once again will be the highly entertaining and very talented Ron Tite. Trained at the legendary Second City, Ron Tite has been an actor, comedian, playwright, and award winning advertising writer and Creative Director. Recently, he was Vice President, Executive Creative Director at one of Canada’s most respected advertising agencies, Sharpe Blackmore Euro RSCG. Recently named as one of the Top 10 Creative Canadians by Marketing Magazine.

THE SPEAKERS

Gary Vaynerchuk

The day will kick-off with the brilliant and inspiring Gary Vaynerchuk (VAY NER CHUK) an online marketing trailblazer with his "Crush It" attitude and mantra of "Cash In On Your Passions". A much sought after speaker, Vaynerchuk gained notoriety for more than his business acumen but also for his foresight that combined with his pioneering, multi-faceted approach to personal branding and business. He knocked down barriers in the wine industry by creating a new generation of branding, focusing attention to leveraging social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter. He shows audiences how to find their passion, then step by step how to turn it into a flourishing, monetized business.

The 33-year-old entrepreneur whose dual identity as both business guru and "wine guy" has made him known as the “Social Media Sommelier.” A self-trained wine expert, he revolutionized the wine industry with his video blog, "Wine Library TV" grew his family wine business from $4 million to $60 million in five years. Vaynerchuk has made television appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Ellen DeGeneres, NBC’s Today Show, CNBC’s Mad Money with Jim Cramer, and The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.

This was the first video that introduced me Gary and his dynamic style.

Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki is the co-founder of Alltop.com, an “online magazine rack” of popular topics on the web, and a founding partner at Garage Technology Ventures. He is also the author of nine books including Reality Check, The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, Selling the Dream, and The Macintosh Way. His newest book, Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions, is due for release in March 2011.

Previously, he was the Chief Evangelist of Apple where Gary says, “When I saw what a Macintosh could do, the clouds parted and the angels started singing. For four years I evangelized Macintosh to software and hardware developers and led the charge against worldwide domination by IBM".

Mr. Kawasaki's in-depth knowledge of the high-tech industry combined with his years of management experience enable him to address a wide range of audiences. His particular strength is the ability to quickly understand diverse industries and incorporate his pre-existing knowledge into a highly relevant and customized speech. He routinely gets rave reviews from clients including trade associations, packaged goods companies, service providers, insurance companies, educational institutions, and technology companies.

You can follow Guy Kawasaki on Twitter and his writing at his website.

Jeff Hayzlett

Jeff Hayzlett is described as a big, boisterous guy who has the guts to get in your face and tell you exactly why your business isn't doing well.

I found it interesting when I read "Jeffrey Hayzlett has been called a lot of things, most of them good". Odd to include in a bio but He has been described as a “CMO on steroids". From entrepreneur to being Kodak’s CMO, piloting one of the world’s iconic brands.

Hayzlett helped to lead one of the biggest turnarounds in business history where he was responsible for the Kodak's worldwide marketing operations including the design and implementation of all marketing strategies, corporate communications, public relations and public affairs. All this during a time when Kodak was facing rapid changes in an area that was massive competition.

His expertise was developed when he led a private business development and public relations firm specializing in the technology and visual communications industries.

Hayzlett is the author of the bestselling book "The Mirror Test", a book that asks you to give your business the mirror test - is your company really breathing? In other words, "Here's how you and your company must adapt...or die".

A visit to Hayzlett's website also proves to hold some amazing insights for marketing stratigies that can be used in branding and personal branding. Reading "The 118" is amazing. An update on the classic " elevator pitch". The 118 is the 21st century version the out-of-date name for the worthy idea that you need to sell what your company offers (and you) in the span of an elevator ride. Technology has not only made things (including elevators) move faster but also has increased the need for speed and immediate relevance in pitching. In addition to the website, you can follow Jeff on Twitter.

Dr. Sheena S. Iyengar

Dr. Sheena S. Iyengar is a Professor of Business Management at the Columbia Business School. She has taught on a wide variety of topics at Columbia for MBA and Executive MBA students, including leadership, decision making, creativity, and globalization. Dr. Iyengar was also recently selected by Columbia University's President's Office to teach at the Global Leadership Fellows Program at the World Economics Forum in Geneva, Switzerland.

One of the world's experts on "choice", Dr. Iyengar received a dual degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992, consisting of a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and a B.A. in psychology with a minor in English from the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1997 she completed her Ph.D. in social psychology from Stanford University. During her studies at Stanford, Dr. Iyengar became interested in how people make choices, particularly the importance and universality of choice in people's lives. Her dissertation, entitled "Choice and its Discontents," received the prestigious Best Dissertation Award for 1998 from the Society of Experimental Social Psychology.

Dr. Iyengar's innovative research on "choice" has become her passion and led Dr. Iyengar down the extraordinary path of writing "The Art of Choosing". Whether mundane or life-altering, choices define us and shape our lives. In her book, Dr. Iyengar asks the difficult questions about how and why we choose: Is the desire for choice innate or bound by culture? Why do we sometimes choose against our best interests? How much control do we really have over what we choose? In our world of shifting political and cultural forces, technological revolution, and interconnected commerce, our decisions have far-reaching consequences.

To learn about Dr. Iyengar and her work on "The Art of Choosing" visit her website and follow her on Twitter.

Avinash Kaushik

Avinash Kaushik is the co-Founder of Market Motive Inc and is the Analytics Evangelist for Google. He will bring his energetic, inspiring, and practical insights to The Art of Marketing. He is noted speaker and lectures at major universities such as Stanford University, University of Virginia and University of Utah.

Through his blog, Occam's Razor, Kaushik has authored two books from in-the-trenches perspective, "Web Analytics: An Hour a Day" is a step-by-step guide that shows you how to implement a successful Web analytics strategy in his thought-provoking style, debunks leading myths and leads you on a path to gaining actionable insights from your analytics efforts. Discover how to move beyond clickstream analysis, why qualitative data should be your focus, and more insights and techniques that will help you develop a customer-centric mindset without sacrificing your company’s bottom line.

His recent book "Web Analytics 2.0: The Art of Online Accountability and Science of Customer Centricity" adeptly address today’s business challenges and presents a new framework that will permanently change how you think about analytics. It provides specific recommendations for creating an actionable strategy, applying analytical techniques correctly, solving challenges such as measuring social media and multichannel campaigns, achieving optimal success by leveraging experimentation, and employing tactics for truly listening to your customers. The book will help your organization become more data driven while you become a super analysis ninja!

Avinash puts a common sense framework around the often frenetic and often misunderstood world of web analytics and combines that with the philosophy that investing in talented analysts is the key to long-term success. He passionately advocates customer "centricity" and leveraging bleeding edge competitive intelligence techniques.

To learn more visit Avinash on his website and follow him Twitter.

REGISTRATION and TICKETS

The good people at The Art Of Marketing wanted to make a special offer to those of you who are connected here in this community, so here's the deal: if you sign up to attend The Art Of Marketing using this link you will get the special rate of $349 (plus HST) per person a saving of $50.00. Simply use the promo code: RK28 at check out.

Tickets will likely go quickly, there are two types of tickets available general admission seating which includes the full day conference and speakers fro $399.00 (plus HST). There is also VIP package that will include seating in the first 5 rows, lunch and copies of books from select speakers, this package is $599.00 (plus HST). The promo code RK28 will discount both packages. To Register simply click on the on the event logo below.

I have no idea how the producers of this event can pull off a show like this with such a high-calibre list of speakers for only $349 a ticket plus HST (Canadian, no less), but that's your gain as you can easily see this truly a stellar group of speakers coming to Toronto.

The Art of Marketing - Toronto

Monday March 7th, 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

255 Front Street West Toronto, Ontario

Posted via email from anthony kalamut's posterous

A View From An Adguy Number 300: Maybe The Most Important Thing You'll EVER Read While Putting Your Portfolio Together.

2011-02-19T17:38:00.008-05:00

What better way to celebrate my 300th Blog Posting then to feature a piece from someone I highly respect and admire. Suzanne Pope.

Have you ever read something or come across an article and said to yourself, "damn it, I wish I had written that".

Well here is one of those pieces and it's a story I have told (literally this exact story) a hundred times over the years during both my advertising and teaching careers. But after reading the thoughts and the version that Suzanne Pope a Creative Director at john st. Toronto published on her blog "Ad Teachings", I felt it was something very important to also share here for the future AdLanders putting their portfolios together and to the industry at-large.

Throughout her career she has been dedicate to creating brilliant and innovative communication messages for clients but in recent years she has taught copywriting at Humber College and has been a regular at the various Portfolio Review Nights. Suzanne has also contributed articles to ihaveanidea.org to help in the development of better "creative" idea building. From those writings she recently launched her blog where she proudly boasts:

"I STARTED THIS BLOG TO PROVIDE FREE ADVICE AND INSTRUCTION TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN ADVERTISING. I HOPE IT HELPS"

Trust me Suzanne, thus far, mission accomplished and the added bonus... It’s just like school, minus the tuition and text book costs.

I have had the privilege and honor of meeting Suzanne a number of years ago at various industry events and quickly we developed a mutual respect for the development of future "Ad Landers". I have described Suzanne as inspirational, dedicated but most important passionate to the craft of copywriting. Hardly enough to describe what Suzanne brings to her engagement with young aspiring creative thinkers.

There isn't a time that Suzanne wont find time to help a young AdLander with a review of a portfolio or provide information on career direction. Her honesty is not lost, most leave after meeting Suzanne more inspired not only to do better, but are inspired to improve their craft. Her passion is infectious.
As an educator I am proud to have developed a professional and personal relationship with her, and I am honored to call Suzanne an colleague in the development of young talent.

Thank you Suzanne for this great piece, but also for your commitment to future AdLanders by posting inspiring content on your Blog.

Originally published on Suzanne Pope's blog "Ad Teachings"

ON THE SINGLE GREATEST THREAT FACING THE ADVERTISING STUDENT

A number of years ago, I had an advertising student whose thirst for success far outstripped the quality of her work. I think her work would have improved if she had been willing to listen to me or her other instructors, but that never happened. If I gave her 70% on an ad, she would become annoyed and say that it deserved 80%. I started giving her 72% or something just to avoid the arguments, but my explicit message to her never changed: Unless the quality of your ads improves, you will have a very hard time getting hired.
I don’t know what became of this woman, because I’ve never heard from her since. But I did hear through the grapevine that she ended up being vocally bitter about the instruction she had received from me and my colleagues. Her complaint, surprisingly, was that we ought to have graded her more harshly. The complaint developed when this woman started taking her portfolio around to interviews. She heard none of the effusive praise she had expected. Instead, creative directors ripped her book to shreds. Thus, she decided, her instructors were to blame for having failed to prepare her for the tough standards that awaited her in the real world.

If this story has you shaking your head in disbelief, you’re probably okay. You’re probably a very good student, at least in terms of reacting to bad news about your ads. You are open to the possibility that your instructors are right, and that you need to go back and work a little harder. But I have observed that there’s a significant minority of students who cannot tolerate the suggestion that their talent is anything less than exceptional. When their work is criticized, they scarcely seem to hear. It is as if they are listening instead to the fanfare they imagine will play when the team of unicorns pulls their chariot through the front door of Wieden+Kennedy.

If you’re not sure whether you’re vulnerable to this attitudinal threat, there’s one simple question that will reveal all: Have you ever responded to a disappointing mark by questioning the credentials of your instructors? A disgruntled student might say that one professor hasn’t worked in an agency for years, or that another never won any important awards. These comments might be true, but it doesn’t matter, because they actually have nothing to do with the instructors at all. They are actually an expression of the student’s desperate hope that creative directors will judge his work more favourably than his instructors did. But I can tell you that this never happens. I have never seen student work get praised by a creative director after being panned by an instructor. If you are holding on to this faint hope, the time has come to unhitch your unicorns, smack them on the hindquarters and dry your tears as they gallop off into the hills.

Most instructors will be kind in their criticisms. This is because applying professional standards to students isn’t helpful, any more than it would be helpful for a piano teacher to apply professional standards of musicianship to a twelve-year-old. Your instructors are focusing on developing your discernment as an advertising person, to help you build your potential through an understanding of what is or isn’t a good advertising idea. And, actually, that is all that most creative directors are looking for. There’s a famous ad person I know who got his first job on the strength of the one decent idea in his book. That’s all. The rest of his book was garbage, but that one good ad let the creative director know that the guy was trainable. And trainability isn’t just about what you show in your book. It’s also about what you show in your attitude.

Advertising is a business that humbles all of us sooner or later. You will be much happier, personally and professionally, if you choose to humble yourself right now.

© 2011 Suzanne Pope - http://www.adteachings.com/post/3217718212/on-the-single-greatest-threat-faci...

Other excellent articles of interest by Suzanne Pope every Student of Advertising should read:

The Top Ten Mistakes In Portfolio Development

An Inconvenient Truth For Copywriters: How To Write Headlines And Why Your Career Depends On It

Creative Bites: Suzanne Pope Finish this sentence: “Kids these days…”

How to Train Ideas to Come When They’re Called: Part One Part Two Part Three

Lowe Roche Toronto Hosting Student Portfolio Night

2011-02-14T16:40:00.004-05:00

The highlight of every spring for me has always been the excitement of the graduating classes prepping their portfolios. What's in...what's out...who the hell knows.

I have added a few links to previous BlogPosts that should also help with putting your book together.

So the very first "Portfolio Night" has been announced for the spring term to be hosted by Lowe Roche Toronto. Uber smart and creative shop who recently hired on a intern "wrangler" to help promote, encourage and nurture the best candidates available to consider Lowe Roche for that all important "internship/mentorship". The "wrangler" has a live twitter feed, Facebook and web presence to help secure the best talent.

Well, this is one of those "RUN DON"T WALK" MOMENTS!!!

The Lowe Roche Portfolio Night will be held February 25th... that's right NEXT FRIDAY!!!

Are you ready? Can you be ready? Here's current Lowe Roche intern Vinay Parmar's opinion:

"Whoever is up for it should apply ASAP. The poster just went up on the LR Blog today and a lot of students from other schools have been inquiring.

Hey, simple pull 3 awesome campaigns together in the next 10 days (that will feel like being in the biz in its own way) and it would be great for them to get feedback from Creative Directors Stephanie Mackie and Mark Biernacki. They've helped me a great deal even though I came in with just 2 campaigns and a one-off."

DO IT or LOSE IT!!!!

All it takes is quick email ASAP to cherry@loweroche.com

ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTEREST:

How Not To Use Portfolio Night

Portfolio 101 - What Every Student Should Know w/ Tiffany Kosel-Rolfe and Alex Bogusky

Portfolio 201 - Part Two What Every Student Should Know w/ CP+B CDs Dave Schultz, Bill Wright and Alex Bogusky

What Every Student of Advertising vs. Advertising Student Should Read

Interview With Canadian Advertising Legend Geoffrey Roche

2011-01-23T23:50:00.005-05:00

I was honored and humbled to sit down and serve as guest co-host with Tom Ritchie and AdBuzz on January 21st when we chatted with Canadian advertising Legend Geoffrey Roche the Founder, Chief Creative Officer of Lowe Roche.

If we ever created a Canadian "MadMen" (better make that AdMen/Women) listing Geoffrey would have his rightful place reserved along side Jerry Goodis, Frank Palmer, Nancy Vonk, Judy John, Christina Yu, Chris Staples to start.

This was the inaugural LIVE webcast shot on location at LoweRoche in Toronto and very little was left off the table.

Geoffrey Roche has been the bench mark for Canadian creative standards for the past 20 years (this Valentines Day will officially mark the 20th anniversary) and was recently honored with the Les Usherwood Award by the Advertising Design Club of Canada for Lifetime Achievement.

He takes great pride in speaking about the greatness of Canadian advertising talent. His agency has given career starting opportunity to some of the greatest talent this country has seen. During the interview Geoffrey speaks to the point that we don't honor some of these greats, examples are Miles Nadal the founder of holding company MDC Partners and Scott Goodson the founder of Strawberry Frog.

Born and raised in Toronto, Geoffrey attended Northern Secondary School (we both went there and yup, I challenged him to sing our school song "Hail Dear Old Northern") and study design at OCAD. He started his career as a Zippo lighter salesman working for his Dad before talking his way into a job as an art director with Alan Gee at Glowinsky & Gee. But Geoffrey had big dreams and goals and in 1978, he left Canada to work in the U.S. for the likes of Chiat Day New York, and Seattle and Hal Riney & Partners in San Francisco winning numerous One Show Silvers, Bronzes, and a couple of prestigious Kelly Awards before he headed home and becoming the Creative Director at FCB Toronto.

After winning several awards including gold at the One Show, Chiat Day called again, this time to be Creative Director. Two years later he was fired. This was Geoffrey’s lucky day, he believed there had to be a better way to get truly effective work done more often. He envisioned an agency with a more streamlined model, refocused account people, and a flat structure for results-oriented advertising.

In 1991, Geoffrey B. Roche & Partners was launched with their first account; ROM. Within 8 months the agency won the coveted IKEA business. On the day Geoffrey arrived home from having won the account in the final round there hung a flaming Chiat Day T-shirt on the porch courtesy of his wife Marie-Claire.

Named Agency of the Year the second most times of any agency in the country and having never missed the top 10 it was no surprise when Lowe Roche was named Agency of the Decade. But perhaps best of all, the agency was named Advertising Age International Agency of the Year in 2000 on Geoffrey’s birthday (he calls it the coolest present ever).

Lowe Roche has been featured in Communication Arts, Adweek, The New York Times, and on CTV and CBC. The agency has won over 1500 awards from Cannes Gold Lions (including three in one year), One Show golds, too many Marketing Awards to count, and even a German Effie (roughly translated: a German Cassie).

Just so he has something to do in his spare time, Geoffrey started Dogbook and Catbook in June 2007 with his son Alexandre, an application on Facebook and now an iPhone app that has over 3 million users worldwide. He has also started 4 spin-offs called My Babybook, Horsebook, Rodentbook and even Ferretbook. Yes, now even the ferret-lovers (mostly from Nordic countries) are thrilled.

There are very few that have the fire, passion and drive that Geoffrey carries into his every day.
So what is Geoffrey most proud of? He jokes, "still getting my wife Marie Claire to laugh at my jokes, and puts up with me and still helps pick my ties". He adds to that, "I have four amazing kids that I know are smarter and will likely be more successful than me, or ever will be".

NOTE: Here's a link to the Steve Jobs Stanford University Commencment Speach mentioned during the interview

AdBuzz Webcast Live - January 21st, 2011

Yup, 'Everybody Admires The Value of Bright Young Things More Than They Did A Couple of Years Ago'

2011-01-23T16:00:00.005-05:00

Humbled and honored to be part of this story on the future of this crazy advertising business that appeared in The National Post.

I think Scott Goodson puts it best, "I think the biggest challenge in the past was that you had the old creative legends who came into a room and said what they were going to do. Today, great ideas come from everywhere and there is a respect today for those ideas which wasn't there before. I think these days everybody probably admires the value of bright young things more than they did a couple of years ago."

As a mentor to young creative and strategic thinkers at Seneca College Creative Advertising the truth truly is in the engagement with the industry and experiential learning.

Give me a call or connect if you want to be part of this future.

Read the full story here: The National Post Friday January 21st, 2011

Scott Goodson of Strawberry Frog on Being Borderless and Developing Strategic and Creative Solutions on a Global Scale.

2010-12-19T00:14:00.009-05:00

This is a great interview that offers outstanding insights on how Scott Goodson and StrawnerryFrog develop strategic vision and creative solutions to share their client’s brand messaging on a global scale.

Interviewed by Doug Simon of D S Simon Productions, who sat down literally on the new connecting staircase from the penthouse down to the newly renovated 12th floor offices in downtown Manhattan.

Join the StrawberryFrog Facebook Movement Page:
http://www.facebook.com/StrawberryFrog

Learn more about StrawberryFrog:
http://strawberryfrog.com/

Follow StrawberryFrog and Scott Goodson on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/frogism

http://twitter.com/#!/scottfrog

The Future of Advertising Looks Bright. Young AdLanders Share What Advertising Week 2010 Meant To Them

2010-11-24T23:32:00.012-05:00

So what did my students take with them from Advertising Week? Here is what some of the students that attended Advertising Week had to say:

“New York Advertising week was a great experience for me. The experience was only as great as it was because of the students and the real drive and willingness to learn. The experiences outside of the direct learning from speakers and agency visits allowed me to learn more of who I am and who the people we were around the whole week are. The agency visits to Droga5, and Virtue/Vice really allowed me to see how the style of some agencies are in comparison to the idea of an agency I had before. The speakers also really made an impact on the message I heard and felt.”

- Wilson Lin, Entrepreneur and Aspiring Account Executive

"Advertising Week in itself was an experience, from hearing Russel Simmons speak at a panel to visiting Droga5, Advertising Week 2010 left me with a new perspective on advertising. It helped me to realize that everything I do is in my own hands. In an industry that impacts so many people on so many levels, it's hard to wrap your mind around the fact that everything is in YOUR hands".

- Sabrina Tricarico, Aspiring Art Director

“I was able to visit Saatchi & Saatchi and BBDO. From both agencies I got to hear it straight from the current professionals about creativity, the creative process, and insights regarding the the structure of creative teams and how they're changing. Personally, that gave me a good insight as to what to expect in terms of the direction the ad world is moving and I also got to hear what they expect from us as aspiring creatives. Big Spaceship was a whole other can of worms. Not only did they structure their agency with absence on conventional job titles, this was my first (and only) view of an ad agency outside of Canada that is solely based on the rapidly growing, interactive side of the industry. Not only did i get a good sit down to hear what is creativity to them, but also get a good (for a lack of better term) lecture on how interactive is different from what we know orthodox advertising to be".

"Overall, not only did I get reassurance, but also I feel that the profs we know have been pointing us in a certain direction, and these agency tours, in a way, cleaned up the path a little more.”

- Nas Mohamed, Aspiring Art Director

"Ad Week in New York this year was by far and away the most thought provoking, inspiring and engaging period in my life to date. The knowledge I gained from hearing great minds like; Dave Droga, Scott Goodson and Andrew Keller was something that has had a profound change on my new career. Listening to where the future of advertising is going from people who play an integral role in changing it was awe inspiring. They spoke of a future that will highlight the need to constantly keep the consumer engaged at whatever the cost. We are already seeing the power of social media being integrated with brands and that concept, in some cases, has yielded amazing returns. Some of the more recent examples are the Old Spice Facebook campaign, the Subservient Chicken and even movies like Catfish, The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. Creating movements married to brands is something that will not only keep consumers loyal but will allow them to regard brands in ways never before seen in the company/consumer relationship".

"Throughout Ad Week I learned a great deal from many people but one experience stood out for me in particular. Meeting and listening to Andrew Keller, now CEO of Crispin, Porter + Bogusky was something that will resonate with me for the rest of my career. He talked to our class about how to get into the industry (and how he got in), the values of maintaining a personal/family life (which we’re sometimes told is very hard to do) and talked in depth to us about some of the different campaigns he’s worked on. What surprised me the most from the talk we had with him was that he’s just a really nice, down to earth and humble individual. For someone in his position he has no ego and to be honest, you don’t expect that from the CEO of one of, if not the best ad agencies in the world. In a nutshell, Andrew Keller is the type of guy you dream of growing up to be".

- Adam Bercovici, Aspiring Account Planner/Strategist

"Given the opportunity to attend New York Advertising Week was a remarkable experience, both academically and socially. The events I participated in included meeting some of the most influential industry leaders and getting the chance to attend and tour some of the most creative agencies in the world. This was definitely an experience I will never forget.

Being a student of advertising and getting the opportunity to visit a city with some of the most engaging and astonishing ads was an opportunity I am absolutely grateful for. It definitely put a lot into perspective in terms of the endless opportunities within the advertising industry and where I see myself within the industry. New York was unquestionably one of the most engaging cities and I would definitely recommend the trip to all students who get the opportunity to go".

- Lillian Hammah, Aspiring Strategist

"I visited Saatchi & Saatchi, Big Spaceship and Strawberry Frog. Each agency taught me something different. Saatchi gave me a classic, corporate feel. Big Spaceship open concept and small interactive agency = agency of future. Strawberry Frog somewhere in between and gave me the idea of creating a cultural movement. The trip was a good motivation for me to do well in school and get my portfolio ready to get a job. I got a lot out of it information wise. There is no reason not to go. on".

- Jeremy Gross, Aspiring Copywriter

“The thing that everybody got out of it was that they realized that advertising is now a fully integrated team. Technology has to be emphasized. At the core, the consumer is top-of-mind. Doesn’t matter how advanced technology is, we still have to understand all their hopes and fears. Talk the talk and walk the walk. The most fun was visiting great agencies like, Droga5, Strawberry Frog and BBDO Atmosphere and being treated like equals, not like students. We were able to bond with our fellow students and got to learn some cool things about each other. Loved the insightful presentations and I recommend anybody who is serious about advertising to go next. Make a piggy bank and save your pennies now for next year’s Advertising Week"

- David Taller, Aspiring Art Director

"Advertising Week was great. I was able to tour several incredible agencies like Vice and Big Spaceship, where they taught us the differences between traditional and non-traditional media. I had a great time listening to Nick Law’s presentation from RGA. The speakers were wonderful and on top of that, I picked up a few presentation tips regarding how to connect with the audience as you speak".

- Kristina Tran, Aspiring Strategist

"The overall experience was an eye opener because you learned about advertising in a popular place like New York. Everything is more concentrated in terms of what we know from Toronto to New York. The Accounts were larger scales and almost everyone you saw or heard of were icons in Advertising which was amazing, like David Droga, Andrew Keller and Bob Greenberg. I was able to visit Droga5 and Vice which were really cool".

"A lot of us students bonded and were given a great opportunity to become closer friends. We saw a variety of great speakers who weren’t known as “advertising people,” people like Marc Echo and Russell Simmons, their point-of-views and opinions and how they forecasted the future was very interesting because you’re gaining perspectives from entrepreneurs and how they branded themselves, which is something us students are focusing on every day".

- Vishal Raj, Aspiring Strategic Planner

"I had the pleasure of visiting Virtue/Vice and BBDO Atmosphere. From all 3 agencies, I felt it gave me personal assurance that this career path is what I want to do. It was also amazing to talk to creative directors, account executives and also what I thought was awesome was that at BBDO, they actually had 3 students who are currently interning there tell us about their experience and how it is working for BBDO. My overall experience at Advertising Week was amazing, it gave me self confidence and reassurance on the path I am going. It was also great too hear from the sources themselves on what they are looking for in an intern and what it takes to stand out from others".

- Gunika Ahluwalia, Aspires to be in Account Services

"The first agency I had the chance to visit for Advertising Week was Droga5. I really felt that they are balancing the traditional style of agency with the new open concept style very well. The space itself manages to be extremely inclusive to all departments however manages to keep them separate and specific. One of the first things I noticed at Droga5 was that every person in the shop had a huge smile on their face and seemed to be genuinely happy. This is very important for an agency, especially a creative one, as unhappy employees are not often the most creative!"

"Another agency that us students had the chance to visit was Strawberry Frog. This is one of the coolest agencies I have ever seen. The way in which they operate and the philosophies they follow for their creative are just amazing. Strawberry Frog is all about creative social and cultural movements. This mode of thinking is incredible because it truly forces the creative to connect to the masses by interacting with the individual"

"Finally, I had the chance to check out Big Spaceship. This agency quickly became the #1 place in New York that I would like to be interning at. They work in a total open concept space and include all facets of their teams in the creative process from the intern to the CEO. They were different than most agencies, with different titles and job descriptions. Big Spaceship really pushed the idea that you don't have to follow convention to be successful in advertising; in fact, they demonstrated the contrary".

- Michael Potash, Aspiring Copywriter

Your Career Planning: “It’s All About TLC”.

2010-10-03T17:38:00.005-04:00

Originally posted to the Advertsing Week Blog where I was a member of their "Blog Squad"

AdGuy Interview w/ WADV Radio - The Voice of Advertising Week in New York City

2010-09-28T02:38:00.001-04:00

Originally posted to the Advertsing Week Blog where I wil be a member of their "Blog Squad"

Doug Zanger of WADV Radio, the voice of Advertising Week in New York City chats with Anthony Kalamut, Professor/Program Coordinator at Seneca College in Toronto, who candidly reflects on 5 years at Advertising Week, the student perspective, the evolution of advertising education and much more.

Professor Kalamut has taken a group of Creative Advertising students to New York for each of the past five years were students have engaged in learning, networking and the development of personal employment strategies.

http://advertisingweek.posterous.com/wadv-2010-anthony-kalamut-interview

Download now or listen on posterous

WADV_2010_-Anthony_Kalamut_Interview.mp3 (14260 KB)

Posted via email from anthony kalamut's posterous

AdGuy Interview w/ WADV Radio - The Voice of Advertising Week in New York City

2010-09-26T08:27:00.001-04:00

Originally posted to the Advertsing Week Blog where I wil be a member of their "Blog Squad"

http://advertisingweek.posterous.com/wadv-2010-anthony-kalamut-interview

Posted via email from anthony kalamut's posterous

Short Trip To Advertising Week, Long Journey To A Career

2010-09-26T07:25:00.002-04:00

Originally posted to the Advertsinh Week Blog where I wil be a member of their "Blog Squad"

September has always marked the beginning of all things new for me. It is so different from New Years Day when we recover from the night before when we chased another year into our past and welcoming another year in hopes of new beginnings... but September for me always marked truly “new beginnings”.

Since we were all children, September marked the beginning of new school year, new clothes, new friendships and a new season of television shows. September marked the launch of the new “model” car year. Being in Canada, well we traded our “Speedos” for “snowshoes” (LOL) and hockey season was weeks away (cliché). September truly marked the “beginnings” of many things that would be past of our lives for years to come.

For the past 4 years September has marked what many of my students refer to as a “new beginning” to their dreams and hopes of joining the advertising industry.

In September 2007 I brought my first group of students to Advertising Week in New York City and it has become one of the greatest learning experiences that energizes like no other single event can. We started as a small group a 17 that first year and we have ballooned into a (bus load) group of 50+. A trip that now sells out in a matter of days.

This year I will be traveling with a group of 53 seniors who are all facing graduation in the spring (2011).

Each has become a “Student of Advertising” over the past couple of years and are now looking to fine tune and fill in the extra skills that will separate them from all the other future graduates fighting for those precious jobs as Strategic Planners, Copywriters, Media Buyers/Planners, Art Directors, Digital Strategist or any of the other 100+ titles that can await them.

Advertising Week is a “deal changer” for these young “AdLanders”. Event upon event, opportunity upon opportunity all lead to learning and engaging directly with the industry, with the shakers and the movers, the deal makers and the game changers. All of this is 4 full days.

Before I arrived in New York I asked my students traveling to Advertising Week two basic questions.

First, “What is it you most want to get out of Advertising Week?” and secondly, “What made you want to come to Advertising Week?.

Nicole Avolio, summed her thoughts up by suggesting Advertising Week will an experience that will take her into the future.

She said, “What I expect to get is an experience that I can take with me wherever I go in the future”, adding “I hope to get a real taste of the industry, and expect my blood to start flowing with passion and excitement”.

Advertising Week is the center of the “Ad World” for 5 days.

The industry leaders converging to share their vision of the future and catch up with some of the past with old colleagues.

Copywriters Vinay Parmar and Jeremy Gross shared similar thoughts of being close the industry leadership. Vinay noted, “I'm looking to expand my professional and social network, while being inspired”, while Jermey sees it as “... an opportunity to hear from some of the greatest minds in advertising to gain their insights but more importantly to gain inspiration”.

Aspiring Art Director Kateryna Topal dug deep into advertising's pasts for her hopes for Advertising Week.

“I’m most excited about living, in the words of Mary Wells’, the “Big Life” for a week. I look forward to having a chance to meet some industry professionals and getting their perspectives on what the future of advertising holds for us, especially when it comes to digital”.

These are just a few of the thoughts from future AdLanders, truly “Students of Advertising” simply by being here they are doing something different.

I hope throughout the Advertising Week you will get the chance meet a few my students.

How will you know who they are... chances are they will be asking you many questions, engaging you in conversation and likely sporting a t-shirt with our programs brand. Left+Right.

Say hello, you will be making a difference.

Brilliant Use of Augmented Reality for Nestlé KitKat.

2010-09-07T00:01:00.002-04:00

KitKat UK recently launched an Augmented Reality campaign that works with its "4-Finger" bar packages.

Each of the new bar packages has a specially designed "AR" marker on the KitKat four-finger packages that hit the shelves in late August. By simply holding the wrapper up to your webcam and visiting the www.kitkat.co.uk website a special 3D video appear featuring the group "Scouting for Girls" and a song titled "Silly Song". The band will play their hit in different 3D ‘break’ environments, including a park, a train, a bedroom and a library. All places Kit Kat believes their bars are enjoyed and people will "take a break".

The Kit Kat’s new project dubbed “Kit Kat Brings Music To Life”, this represents most significant spending by Nestlé in the cybersphere to date. The experience was created by the independent agency Skive Digital of London.

The promotion includes a collaboration with with Myspace which will host four intimate concerts which "Scouting For Girls" and will launch on Facebook with the gigs being streamed live. In addition the campaign also features a chance to win £100 of Ticketmaster vouchers that can be used for upcoming concerts and events featuring Scouting for Girls.

KitKat brand manager Jemma Handley said, “Through this campaign, we’re not only demonstrating our lead in the FMCG sector for digital execution but offering consumers an enhanced experience around breaktime and music.

Last week, Nestlé credited its investment in marketing as a driver behind the 6.1% growth in sales registered in the first half of the year. The Swiss food and drink giant revealed sales rose to £33.2 Billion in the six months to 30 June.

Augmented Reality Video

Making of the Video

M.I.A - Yup, I'm Taking A Vacation.

2010-08-23T00:40:00.005-04:00

If you're reading this then you likely follow my blog or drop by from time to time.

Fear not... I am just taking some off time (most of August) to take a vacation and recharge the batteries.

I'll be back soon enough with more insights. inspiration and opinions. Besides, I can't help myself.

Thank you for following along.

Peace and love,

Anthony

PS. I will be posting on Twitter frequently while on vacation follw me there: @SouthsideAdguy

Video Case Study - The Old Spice Campaign

2010-08-18T16:36:00.002-04:00

There is no shortage of stories and claims of how Old Spice has rewritten the world of advertising, more specifically "Social Media".

This is an amazing "video" case study story of how the "Old Spice Guy" who is deadpan, vain and prone to unrealistic claims of physical strength and sexual prowess, pored on the charm and he's charmed millions.
I am certain the presses were stopped on any printing press in the last 2 months that was about to bring the world a textbook or "case studies" on How Sell More Stuff To People Who Don't Need More Stuff.

ADDITIONAL CASE STUDIES:

Take the time to check out the Wieden+Kennedy blog/website first for their own take on the press coverage.

Agency: Wieden+Kennedy, Portland

Who The Hell is Bill Bogusky? Uhmmmm... The Original Bogusky!

2010-07-27T23:20:00.006-04:00

Who the hell is Bill Bogusky? A long overdue history leason.

When Alex hosted an episode of FearlessQA ealier this year with guests Bill Wright and David Swartz on the idea of "old school" thniking. During the episode Dave held up a book called logos written by a Bill Bogusky. Since then I've always wanted to do a piece on Bill.

This week Alex will host his dad in a episode of FearlessQA. I'm no clairvoyant but this should be a great show. I think the sub-title should read, "Shit My Father Says - The Bogusky Edition".

So who is Bill Bogusky? He was born in 1934, a New York native Bill studied Graphic Design at the School of Industrial Art and Pratt Institute. From department store layout artist to agency art director it was really when he set up shop in south Florida with his brother Al, creating “The Brothers Bogusky” that's when Bill hit full stride.

The "Brothers Bogusky” garnered numerous national and international awards, most notably an entry in the Annual Report Issue of Graphis. A special "Annual Reports" issue? Okay, for you youngin's out there that was was the "schizzle" of the day. Yup we waited every month for our CA Magazines or Graphis to arrive to see who was doing the great work. Dog-eared copies sat for years by our desks. Getting into the Graphis Annual which published the Mead Paper Annual Report Show winner well yes, that was like winning a Cannes Lion. Yes you can look it up, The Brothers Bogusky won for American Foods Corporation in 1969. Bill recently posted on his blog, "Ever since high school at the School of Industrial Art in Manhattan, I dreamed of someday being in Graphis. Feels nice".

Bogusky spent two years in the army as "Special Services Promoter" at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. It is there he met his wife of over 50 years, Dixie. They married and moved to Miami, Florida and he and his brother Al set up their studio "The Brothers Bogusky.” One could suggest that Bill Bogusky is part of the the south Florida "design and advertising royalty". The studio was a very successful full-service design firm, but it was when a windsurfing copywriter from Minneapolis named Chuck Porter began to freelance for a tiny Miami ad shop named Crispin, it is there that Chuck met Bill Bogusky. As the story goes, Crispin sent a project up to The Brothers Bogusky, when it returned back to the agency, Chuck remarked to Bill, "who did the design and art direction on this piece?", Bill remarked, "my kid Alex, why is there a problem?". Nope. Chuck offered Bill's son Alex a senior art director job at what became Crispin & Porter--and eventually Crispin Porter+Bogusky.

One of fun things I learned about Bill was he designed a logo that had a big influence on my design future.

I am a big time sports fan. It was sports team logo design that got me started. In the late 1960's and early 1970's there was no shortage of expansion of the traditional sports leagues but also the birth of new leagues to challenge them. One of these leagues was the American Basketball Association, the one team that caught my eye was the Miami Floridians. I was on vacation over winter break with my dad and we ventured to Miami Convention Center to watch the ABA best Kentucky Colenels. I was just impressed with colors of the "Floridians" and the simple silhouette image of a player on the beautiful typographic wordmark. (see all the unique and inspiring ABA logos here.)

There is a great added advertising connection to the Floridians history was when the original owner were awash in red ink, in stepped legendary ad man Ned Doyle, a recently retired advertising executive (best known in the ad world for his imaginative Volkswagen ads and one of the "D" in DDB) to buy the team. Doyle, fired the entire team only keeping the coach - a rather novel approach. He also dropped "Miami" from the team name and the franchise went "regional," playing its home games in Miami Beach, Jacksonville, Tampa and West Palm Beach. I gather always an adman, Doyle went "promo" crazy. New logo and team colors were changed to magenta, hot orange and black, and the ball girls, wearing skimpy bikinis, were hired. Fun times.

Bogusky’s many logo designs appear in many logo anthologies. Several have been posted by Bill on his blog (Click here to link to one of several logo postings). In fact there was a published, but now out of print book called "Logos" which featured the many designs created over the years.

Among the first to embrace the Mac, Bill launched a new passion in type design. “My first font “gogobig” is still my favorite” he said. He has designed over 58 fonts and family of weights. "The computer has allowed me to fulfill a life-long dream of designing my own fonts. A great program, Fontographer, made the design implementation a joy. But the mechanics of assembly, pair kerning, file formats and and more minutia, made the process tedious at times. Nevertheless, through it all. a labor of love". Bill added, "at first I distributed my fonts as "shareware" on the internet. An honor system where users would download the fonts and send you a small amount of money, if they actually used the font. Many downloads later, I pulled in about $20. My retirement fund needed a better way". But that has changed.

Bill discovered a service called "MyFonts" a really cool website that allows designers to lists their fonts with full alphabet displays and color samples. "I set my prices, and began to sell, and I reasoned: more fonts, more sales". Bill says (and I gather with tongue firmly placed in his cheek) "I now have over seventy fonts in my quiver. The income? It beats army pay". Bill even sold a font to Nike. "They used it on a poster campaign. It's really a kick to see one of my fonts on TV or in a magazine ad".

I get true sense that the apple didn't fall from the "humble tree" for Alex. "I love it. In my brief planet visit, I have gone from the lower east side of New York to Global", Bill says about all that is at his finger tips.

Recently Bill has also turned to another passion of his photography. He has published a photographic essay book of the Phantom Lake Ranch in Red Feather Lakes in Colorado. The photos are chaptered into the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter with many double-page spread photos.

The Bogusky's, Bill and Dixie now live in Louisville, Colorado and roam around in their vintage '58 Morgan+4 roadster.

Yup, all in the family in the mountain air.

PS: Bill, if you have a copy of Logos in the attic. Please send it along, sign it and I promise it will be archived in our library forever.

I am sure we all have questions. Tune in to FearlessQA and Tweet your questions.

WATCH FEARLESS QA LIVE THURSDAY 2pm EST:

Advice for Young Creatives: If I Knew Then What I Know Now.

2010-07-21T00:03:00.002-04:00

Is there ever enough advice out there for young creatives?

NO!

One of the things I say when asked why I got into teaching advertising was to deliver what I never got told or prepared for. That's a big part of the story but not the total story [read my profile].

Parts of this video are just one of many pieces that often never gets delivered in a lecture hall, but g-d knows we try. G-g knows it gets forgotten when we do.

Take note young AdLanders there is much expected of you.

Also read my interview with Scott Goodson of StrawberryFrog. [LINK]

Welcome Change. There's A New Agency in Town. It's Hoping To Kick Ass and Take Names.

2010-07-20T22:33:00.003-04:00

Grad pride.

Amazing what I get to witness being part of the lives of young talented people on a regular basis. The future of advertising is in good hands.

Each fall I take a group of my students to New York Advertising Week. A couple of years ago we had the pleasure of being hosted by Scott Goodson of Strawberry Frog for a "meet and greet". Besides the opportunity to engage with one of the industry leaders the day turned into a day beyond inspiration. Scott asked each student introduce themselves and what discipline they saw as their niche. After presentation and Q&A session a simple question was dropped upon my crew by Scott, "with all the talent at the table, and each of your disciplines why not start your own agency?" Wow, start your own agency. Why not. A short 15 months later a group of those students in attendance took the led and did that. Born from a soft economy, abundant talent and passion Playground Digital was born. But that is just one story of well planned success.

A second group of talented young AdLanders have hung the shingle on the door and are planning to "switch" the thinking of advertising, communication and engagement.

Meet Switch. Welcome to Switch Advertising.

Recent grads Ryan Thomas, Stuart Chan and Neil Damania put their passion and vision behind their deep entrepreneurial skills to create a better advertising agency. They started out as people who wanted to change and build things, not just for clients but to rock "communication culture". To make clients' businesses better and more engaging. It's in their blood. These guys are all "culture vultures". They get the "new media", they are fueled by the power of "social media" and they want to help "switch" the minds of clients who don't understand the new power that is needed to build brand loyalties and switch the culture change needed to engage the "new" audiences living in a digital space.

To get things started they have launched their website last week and have collaborated with talented local artists to make a series of outrageous indie rock style posters, because between artists and indie rock bands, no one has to work harder to earn your attention. The site is a "social exercise" "something that could become a case study in itself. The site isn't designed as an info dump or sales pitch of services and talent, but a place to exchange insights, creativity and thinking.

I asked Stuart Chan, Operations & Branding Director, what was key to starting Switch, "We have the same passion as our clients. We wanted to own or work, our ideas, our sweat and our labor". He added, "Creativity; there is a huge gap in knowledge and development in social spheres. About 80% of companies currently operating in this space have no real strategy or planned objectives to move forward with".

It became clear to the partners that there is a real problem in a cluttered media environment, especially when you need to communicate a single point. Stuart pointed out that being children of the wired generation, actually gives them a leg up on larger agencies. Simply put getting these kinds of "simpleminded" ideas to clients first means educating them on how technology can be used effectively and intelligently.

“This became clear after pitching at other, more traditional agencies; and we saw an opportunity to move on pace and in the same direction as the emerging social era. So we grabbed it and ran with it. There was never really any doubt” Stuart added.

When asked if there was a key "mission statement" of philosophy, the plan is to build the agency on three fundamentals; one, to create integrated work that involves consumers; two, we want to select clients that run a business we ethically and morally agree with and we do our damndest to really make them shine; and finally, they don’t just want our work to tell the story, we want our work to be the story – and in turn, have the consumer become the storyteller instead. In short: The best work possible, the best clients possible, the best results possible.

Ryan Thomas, Social & Digital Strategist added, “Honestly if you don't have those three things in this industry, it gets harder and harder to sleep at night".

When asked if they if this requires clients that are brave and willing to accept ideas that are nowhere near timid, and executions that span the three fastest growing sectors of advertising; Public Relations, Digital Development, and Social Marketing, Creative Director Neil Damania strongly believes, “we are an industry of ideas, and they should be able to live in all spaces; but if a concept or communication is not best utilized in these three mediums, it's often more expensive and less effective".

So what's next for Switch now they are launched and poised to change the environment, the boys answered as one, "It's about choosing clients with similar vision, being prepared to scale, and leaving a global footprint. There’s no such thing as going home, only going big. We’re here to stay.

Bonne chance, keep the passion, change the world.

Alex Bogusky Returns... And He's Fearless!

2010-07-15T00:57:00.007-04:00

Alex Bogusky returns... and he's live with FearlessQA!

Two short weeks ago to the day Alex Bogusky announced he was leaving MDC and his roll as Chief Creative Insurgent, and even greater was the impact of the announcement of his leaving advertising altogether. Speculation ran deep of what's next. The love and support posted on blogs, Twitter and other social media was endless.

Well fear not, Alex, FearlessQA and the Fearless Cottage is back and it might be better then ever before.

This Thursday marks the return broadcast of FearlessQA on Justin.TV and it promises to be as critical as any issue Alex has brought attention to. We are simply poisoning ourselves with the way food is processed and consumed at an alarming rate. Hey we are all guilty of the practice of unpackage, then hit '2:00 START' on the microwave. There's a reason for this simplicity. Its in the food, its in the way it's processed and it's killing us.

I boldly proclaim this simple by the fact that Alex will be in his element 100%. Not that he ever feared speaking his mind on any issue that he felt concern for or felt needed attention, and now it's without the speculation of the public or the FearlessQA faithful saying, "how can he say that, won't one of his clients be upset?"

I asked Alex a few questions on the future of FearlessQA and the his future planning and development of the "Fearless Cootage" and I am awaiting his thoughts. Once in place I will post them.

Prior to Alex's departure on July 1st, he had scheduled author Robyn O'Bien to discuss "What's actually inside our food?" She is can teach us a thing or two on the food we eat and why so many of us are getting sick, overweight and generally unhealthy. Her book is titled "The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It".

Robyn who was raised in Houston on the typical "diet of meat and potatoes along with her fair share of Doritos and Ding Dongs" thrown in. She was not a "foodie" but as a mother (a mother of 4) she became concerned with what her children and children in general were actually eating. From her research proved to be a wake up call for her. She has noted, "I am an unlikely crusader for cleaning up our food supply. But fortunately, there is a lot that we can do about it. We simply have to get savvy and stand together so that our voices can be heard by leaders in our government and the food industry the same way that families overseas have made their voices heard over there".

Through this work Robyn became the founder of the Allergy Kids Foundation, an organization designed to help protect the 1 in 3 American children that now has autism, ADHD, asthma or allergies (known as the 4As). the organization funds research into the development and practice of techniques designed to heal children with the 4As using an integrative, biomedical approach developed by doctors in New York.

She demands "transparency in our food system, believes that we deserve full disclosure of financial ties behind industry funded research, our doctors and our medical organizations".

She has appeared in the New York Times, on CNN, the Today Show and Good Morning America and featured in People Magazine, in Forbes Women as one of "20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter", in SHAPE as one of "Ten Women Shaping the World", and by the Discovery Channel's Planet Green as a "Visionary". Robyn has been invited to attend roundtable discussions with members of Congress on health care reform and to serve on the board of the Environmental Working Group, based in Washington, DC.

What an important and brilliant guest to kick-off the next chapter of Alex Bogusky and FearlessQA.
I urge you to tune in and hear the truth. It won't be pretty, BUT the truth never is.

Follow the this link to tune into FearLessQA

READ MORE ABOUT ROBYN O'BRIEN

robynobrien.com
allergykids.com

FOLLOW ROBYN O"BRIEN ON TWITTER

@unhealthytruth

Watch the full FearlessQA Episode Here or Click on this Link or Below:

Watch live video from Fearless QA on Justin.tv

WORLD CUP 2010 Final Nike vs Adidas vs Visa: And The Winner Is? Advertising.

2010-07-11T13:48:00.001-04:00

So today is the World Cup final and we will all be cheering for Spain right... okay Netherlands. Okay, either way this has been an advertising bonanza and I loved it.

In addition, today's World Cup final may become one of the most watched events on the planet with viewers from New York to Nepal tuning in to see football’s (soccer) elite in action from South Africa. The overall rournement has garnered the biggest television audience yet. For advertisers, this is great news.

"We don’t want to speculate in numbers but we’re hoping this will be the biggest [event] ever," Niclas Ericson, FIFA’s director of television, said in a press conference from Soccer City Stadium, the final’s venue.

"We think it will be bigger than the 2006 World Cup final which had an audience somewhere in the region of around 700 million," he added.

The record to beat is that set by the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, when in 2008 a global audience of one billion watched at least some part of the extravaganza unfolding in the Chinese capital.

This World Cup has brought some excellent football (soocer) ads for the first time at this level and I see the 2012 World Cup in Brazil being even greater.

But was Nike declared the advertising winner of the World Cup prematurely?

Apparently so, even I declared in an earlier blogpost Nike scooped the press and hearts. Not so according to an updated Nielsen Co. study on the effectiveness of ambush marketers at the FIFA 2010.

Nielsen tracked national advertising in the U.S. during weekend games on both ABC and ESPN, as well as all Team USA matches between June 11 and 26, and found that FIFA sponsors connected better with World Cup fans than non-sponsors and that fans had higher recall of the sponsors' brands. This news comes after numerous industry experts declared Nike and other so-called "ambush" marketers victorious after they generated more buzz, according to an earlier Nielsen report, than their official sponsor rivals did in the lead-up to the event.

In the end the data revealed the five primary World Cup television sponsors -- Adidas, AT&T, Budweiser, Hyundai and Sony -- generated a 55% higher on average "net likeability" score among those polled compared to commercials from other, non-sponsor World Cup advertisers. In addition, the primary sponsors also scored 16% higher on brand recall on average for sponsors' World Cup in-game or in-studio promotions including the Adidas "First Half Highlights," compared with their in-game sponsorship performance for other sports events.

Last week I read another interesting piece on who was winning the advertising wars between "official" sponsors and other advertisers. Yes, Adidas, Budweiser, Hyundai paid some pretty big bucks to be primary sponsors but did they really win the hearts and attention of consumers? These partners that support the World Cup paid handsome fees for the privilege. The World Cup 2010 is expected to generate US$1.6 billion in sponsorship revenue during the period from 2007 to 2010 (according to IEG, a WPP group company). The sponsorship media coverage suggests Visa paid $170 million for its 2007-2014 rights, while Emirates Airline paid $195m. For these fees sponsors receive a mix of commercial and marketing rights including tickets, signage at the matches, the right to use the FIFA World Cup logo.

Is it worth all the fees and costs? This should give you a partial answer. Visa. may be the case study to build and to sell the future sponsors. Given that global consumer spending is down, the company said last week that international transactions using Visa during the first round of the Word Cup were US$176m, up 65 per cent on the same period last year. Not bad. First time advertiser, Chinese solar energy company Yingli used the World Cup to announce its global intentions and saw web searches on the company’s name multiply dramatically. Turning these inquiries and engagements into customers will likely increase if it uses all this for business development properly and may become a major success. Intersting, the company’s support of FIFA’s African Legacy Project, the building of 10 football centers this year, each with solar energy technology provided by Yingli Solar. Add to this the fact that the company is FIFA’s first major Chinese partner is worthy of mention.

If we measure purely by sales, then Adidas beats Nike, Coke beats Pepsi, Budweiser beats Heineken. Creatively speaking...hmmm. Adidas will will win hands down. Why? Adidas definitely delivered. Even though palyers were massive fans of the Jabulani ball but it will likely to sell more than 13 million units. With 12 World Cup teams wearing Adidas branded jerseys should generate sales of 7 million replica shirts, and if Spain wins today, that will be the icing and cherry on the sunde according to Herr Hainer, an Adidas chief executive. It's safe to assume Coca-Cola, Budweiser and McDonald’s will all show good sales, and there is a strong case for Sony 3DTV success and its future.

Personally by watching my Twitter feeds and classroom discussions it seems the most talked about spots came from advertisers that didn't buy into the FIFA costs of sponsorships and endorsements. FIFA made cart loads of money either way.

So we are now at the end of a month of great games and even better creative ads and I thought I would post my favorite Football spots of all time. Okay, "all time" is a bit shady, but the best spots I have seen. My choices are based on two basics, "entertainment" value and "insight" value. They appear in no specific order.

Enjoy!

NIKE - NEXT LEVEL

How do you take a football ad to the Next Level? Created in 2008, and and you let director Guy Ritchie have is his way, this is 3 minutes of gold story telling.

NIKE - WRITE THE FUTURE FULL LENGTH

Okay, proof you don't need to be an official sponsor to take away the attention of consumers. Adidas may be the worldwide sponsor but 20+ million YouTube hits tell the truth. Some of the shorter edits work very well on their own. In addition, I posted that this spot was actually a curse for all the players that appeared. All the players featured in the spot had their teams eliminated by the end of Quarter Finals add to that one player, Ronaldinho was not selected to Brazil's final team. I have included below the "replacement" player spot featuring Robinho. Two days after the spot aired Brazil was eliminated by the Netherlands.

NIKE - WRITE THE FUTURE EDIT PLAYER SPOT - RONALDO

NIKE - WRITE THE FUTURE ROBINHO SPOT

VISA - RUNNING MAN

Created by Saatchi & Saatchi, this was one of the first World CUp 2010 spots to appear in the spring.

ADIDAS -STAR WARS CATINA

As creative as this Adidas spot is, it does not directly refer to their sponsorship.Star studded cast didn't impress, but the 3.9 million views does.

UMBRO - ENGLAND ANTHEM

Umbro, makers of the England World Cup uniforms plays to the hearts of all of English football.

BRAZIL - 1998 AIRPORT AD

The 1998 Brazilian World Cup football team are waiting for their plane and get bored. This was one of the greatest teams for Brazil, when Ronaldo was young and Romário was still playing. The magic of music makes this spot. The song used is 'Mas Que Nada' by Tamba Trio

PUMA - HARD CHORUS ENGLAND AND ITALY

From Droga5 for PUMA. The spot was created for football fans to send a message of love to their girlfriends on Valentines Day. Brilliant!

ENGLAND

ITALY

SAMSUNG HD TV

Maybe the sexiest if not the most sexist spot ever. Okay, I love it. I'm a guy, what's not to love. No apologies.

CARLSBERG - MEN OF ENGLAND TAKE ON THE WORLD

This :90second spot for Carlsberg features English sporting legends Stuart Pearce, Trevor Brooking, Jack Charlton, Kelly Holmes, Steve Redgrave, Ellen MacArthur, Nigel Benn, Phil The Power Taylor, Carl Fogarty, Clive Woodward, Ranulph Fiennes, Jeff Stelling, Kasabian, Soccer AM Tubes, Soccer AM Rocket and Ian Botham.

Posted via email from anthony kalamut's posterous

Alex Bogusky Left CP+B, MDC and Advertising. But Does His Mom Know?

2010-07-05T23:26:00.005-04:00

A friend of mine reminded yesterday of a great piece Alex wrote back in early February on his blog titled, "My New Job. Mom, Please Read." The reason this even came up was the interest, class and grace Alex shows to his readers, but specifically how he responded to my "comment" I posted after reading the piece.

The piece was written to address his new position to all his MDC colleagues, but also to explain to his mother who asked him "how I (Alex) planned to run 32 plus agencies". Alex asked how she had come up with the question, Mom explained, “I read it on the internet.” What she read was a piece written in Fast Company about his new position at MDC as Chief Creative Insurgent which he left behind on July 1st.

I urge you to read the piece.

After I read the piece I realized that often it is difficult to explain what we do to our friends, but most confused often are our own families. I remembered the countless times I tried to explain my job first as an Art Director, then Creative Director and I stopped trying when the business cards said VP ECD, Mom's, shesh...

I directed my comment to Alex's mother to let her know what he has done for me and my students.

Like I said, Alex once again showed his grace, compassion and positivity after he read my comment.

MY POSTED COMMENT:

Dear Alex's Mom...

There's a little something you need to know about your son that might not be on the internet (and g-d knows there is no shortage of Alex Bogusky postings on the internet) and he likely didn't share at Thanksgiving.

When I first met your son I had 20 hungry young AdLanders with me on the side of a stage in NYC @ AdWeek. I introduced myself to Alex and told him that, "I preach the good gospel according to Alex Bogusky"... he quickly told me to "Careful what you preach"... he had me at hello.

Then on a trip he took to Toronto, Alex graciously accept my invite to lunch with 20 other equally hungry future AdLanders... for over an hour he engaged us and told us to, "Follow your bliss" and "Find something you love and you'll never work day in your life". Your son added that "we need to think bigger about the world and not just do ads, make a difference". These maybe old cliche lines but the impact it had changed me and changed my students.

Last fall, your son wrote another amazing book, titled "Baked In". At the book signing Alex hosted my entire class of passionate, dedicated and now highly motivated future AdLanders who all walked away with their very own "Alex story"... but none more then one of my young ones who is visually impaired, and has fear greater then any of us can imagine, again your son politely told her to simply, "follow your dream, your passions and live that dream, because fear is your biggest enemy" and then Alex opened a line of communication with her, you can't imagine the impact that has had.

So I am writing this little note to you to let you know your son is okay. This new thing he's doing... don't worry it gonna work out, probably bigger then we can imagine. Why? Well simply, actually he is amazingly great, honest, passionate,and fun loving guy (and the girls think he's cute too)... it's no wonder the "big company" has given him a new role, a role that will likely motivate, innovate and inspire a whole group of folks as he has my young AdLanders.

Love and peace,

Anthony

ps. If you have second, please call my mother she still hasn't figured out what I actually do yet... or is this mother thing.

pss. Just wondering if 'The Ivory Cottage" has a fireplace, guitar rack and spare room for a longer visit.

ALEX BOGUSKY'S RESPONSE:

Anthony,

That has to be the absolute nicest blog response in the history of the internet. Thank you sir. I'm humbled.

I'll call your mom anytime.

Much love,
Alex

An update on this comment, that student I mentioned not only followed her dream, but is living her dream. She is currently in the middle of her internship at CP+B in Boulder as a copywriter.

Employee Number 16 Resigns. The Day Alex Bogusky Said Good-Bye To CP+B, MDC and Advertising.

2010-07-05T20:05:00.004-04:00

He was known as employee number 16 in early 1989.

He became Creative Director of the agency five years later.

He was named a partner in 1997.

He became Co-Chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky in January 2008.

He charted his own future as Chief Creative Insurgent at MDC in early 2010.

Then suddenly, Dr. Alexander M. Bogusky resigned. He resigned from his MDC post and maybe advertising life altogether.

I have had the privilege to meet, chat and exchange ideas with Alex and with each encounter I left feeling smarter, more passionate and humbled, fueled to bring more to my students and to what I love to do. I met Alex for first time during Advertising Week in New York City in the fall of 2007. Since then he has been a mentor, inspiration and friend.

THIS IS NOT AN OBITUARY

Under his and Chuck Porter's direction, the CP+B has grown to over 900+ passionate minds. In Boulder, in Miami, and along with CP+B Europe in Sweden, he and CP+B have become the world’s most awarded agency in history including being named Agency of the Decade by Adweek and Alex being name "Creative Director of The Decade” in one of the most tumultuous times in advertising history. This growth and success showed no signs of stopping - as recent as last week CP+B was named Interactive Agency of the Year at the Cannes Advertising Festival and winning the Titanium Grand Prix for Best Buy Twelpforce.

The "great work" and "awards" earned him many honors, but it also brought some unusual attention along the way. There were fake Facebook pages, fake Twitter accounts and even a curmudgeon who would retweet any reference to @bogusky as "Bogusky Garbage" devoted to him. From time to time many blogs writers gave "play-by-play of his every move. Some would ask, not always kidding, “What would Alex do?” There was even fake merchandise created from decorative "plates" and "WWABD" (What Would Alex Bogusky Do) bracelets.

During his career Alex has been profiled in almost every industry publication from Communication Arts, Adweek, Adage, Business 2.0, Fast Company and Business Week. His work and thinking has has been featured in main stream media such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, and TIME, as well as countless appearances on national television and radio. Two honors placed upon to Alex that defined his career, but his personality where his 2002 induction into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement and the highest of honors for an Art Director, induction into the Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. Pretty cool for guy who really wasn't sure this crazy business was in his cards. He remains humbled by all of this.

I asked him to offer my students some insights on the ADC honor, some advice to help them in their careers. His response to me remains and defines what makes Alex an inspiration to me:

"Thanks. It’s a great honor. Shocking actually".

"A friend of mine reminded me of a conversation we had when Lee Clow went into the (ADC) Hall of Fame. He asked me if I remembered what I said and i didn’t even remember the conversation. But he said I remarked that getting in the Hall of Fame was the ultimate achievement yet totally unattainable. I guess I was wrong. Again".

"But I will quietly admit that this sort of thing doesn’t really sit well with my sense of community and my connection with everybody I’ve ever worked with. I’m obviously not alone in a single thing I ever did. We did it all together and to be singled out isn’t right. I worry too that it continues to perpetuate this idea of singular achievement. Which to me it a potentially destructive way to look at the world. I’ll accept it for CPB but not for myself and I’ll accept it for all the people who supported all the hair brain schemes and plans we’ve had over the years".

Positively,
Alex

WHEN ALEX BOGUSKY KNEW HE COULD BE ALEX BOGUSKY

Last fall Alex posted a great piece on his "posterous blog" on a significant turning point in his career titles "Flip Flopping to Success". This story was told several times over and over in the media and on blogs but Alex wanted to tell the story the way it happened. When he was promoted to art director in his first advertising job he wanted to attend an advertising seminar that he thought would be a good place to get exposer to some thinking and people he didn’t have access to, not like today's world of social media. He asked his boss if he would pay to send his to the seminar figuring it was win-win for the agency and Alex. "He seemed really impressed with me and my initiative and he carefully explained to me that the more I learned like this the more valuable I would become and finally he turned to me and said, “Never be afraid to invest in yourself." Alex found this to be the best and most "beautiful and true advice". Invest in yourself, true then true today.

What Alex learned during that seminar (he still can't recall if it was two days or a week) was to "be yourself". He noticed a tall lanky character strolling through the halls. This guy seemed out of place with all the suits and leather briefcases. Alex himself felt out of place. Who was this guy? Turned out to be the last speaker, a gentleman named Lee Clow. Alex recalls he was really excited to hear him speak because he recognized his name from the annuals and connected to a lot of his favorite things. "But by this point in the seminar I was pretty beaten down and didn’t really care to hear any more about how tough and confrontational you had to be to do good work" Alex recalls. "So I took a seat way in the back to make my ultimate escape from his presentation and advertising in general a little easier".

That curious guy walking the halls was introduced, "Lee Clow you can probably imagine how surprised I was to see the freak walk up and take the podium. This guy wasn’t faking it. He clearly didn’t have time for a lot of the bullshit or the false trappings of business". It was at that moment that Alex Bogusky discovered he could belong in advertising and make a difference. "Do great work and believe in your work". Alex has told this story many times over (including a lunch I hosted with Alex and several of my students in Toronto) that day "Lee Clow kept me in advertising. I’m so thankful that I had the chance to see through his example I didn’t have to pretend to be anything. I could just be Alex Bogusky. A guy who works in advertising and does the best he can. In spite of the fact that he’s a freak, too".

He has remained true to the epiphany he had that day.

Remaining true to who what matter most to him he relocated from Miami to Boulder with his family when Crispin Porter & Bogusky opened its office there and since then he has been taking full advantage of the qualities of life style that Colorado offers.

In fact, Alex was on bike ride when he found out that MDC released its "official" statement on Thursday morning.

ALEX BOGUSKY - A CAREER IN REVIEW

It what legends are made of.

Alex Bogusky, became one of the most-heralded creative executives in advertising for his work for brands like Burger King, Best Buy, Dominos and the BMW Mini Cooper. Not bad.

Just pick up a copy of Hoopla. This brilliant retrospective complied by CP+B and edited by Warren Berger chronicles the revolution with insider emails, emails between creative thinkers and illustrations, plenty of illustration of the great work.

What he leaves behind is a business that will never be the same. Not the business that shifts and changes like the weather. What he left behind is a business he and all those creative minds he worked with was a second "Golden Creative Age" and "Creative Revolution" (the Bernbach/Lois era being the first). Always creating messages that specialized in risk-taking, rule-breaking campaigns was the genius part is that defines his work. He persuaded clients to run ads that changed culture and their status, not simple companies peddling products and services. How interactive media would be used and defined happened under his watch.

Most significant was what CP+B did for a fading brand Burger King who at the time had advertising that was generally seen as boring, irrelevant and unimaginative. Think back to the "Subserviant Chicken" to see how that became the game changer and cultural movement. With 15 million hits the first 5 days and an average time spent on the site at an astounding 5 minutes and 44 seconds, word spread completely virally. Once the site and chicken were seeded mainstream they added more branding, commercials and easter egg commands to keep people talking and passing the site around. Now there have been well over 450 million hits to Subservient Chicken.

Creativity Online has a feature of the work that CP+B created under Alex's watch. (CLICK TO VIEW)

JULY 1st, 2010 - THE DAY MY "TWITTER" WENT CRAZY and ALEX SAID GOOD-BYE

At 8:57am I received an email containing details of the MDC Media Release of Alex Bogusky resigning for MDC Partners and by 9:15am Advertising Age website posted the "news" that Alex Bogusky has indeed resigned as Chief Insurgent Officer of MDC Partners. By 9:16 the TweetDeck on my iPhone was vibrating every second. Timing is everything, the stock market opening (MDCA - Nasdaq) within the hour and the news was a shocker.

The tweets ranged from just people sending links to the adage.com story to "thanks Alex you're a legend" to speculation that is was a directive from Miles Nadal and his concerns from clients like Burger King who may be feeling that Alex had crossed the line with his personal view points he posted recently on his blog on the subjects of child obesity and even the concept of advertising to children.

Alex Bogusky, who will be 47 later this month, maintained his bright whit and sense of humor when he wouldn't characterize his decision to as a midlife crisis, jokingly he said, “I’ve had so many.” (Fast Company magazine is currently working on a profile of Alex is described as “a midlife crisis story,” focused on his personal interests the beyond advertising world.)

When I had the pleasure of hosting Alex for a lunch with a small group my students and alumni in the Spring of 2008, he was sure to remind us that what we are doing is art and craft, but be passioante and true to yourself. He said, “find and follow your bliss, there will be a time you will start to search for your genuine self”. In an interview with the New York Times shortly after his announcement, he made pretty much the same statement but added, "I'm at that point in my life, and I’m doing that. I’m exploring and figuring out what is that genuine version,” he added, “and it’s not really consistent with corporate life” because in that realm “you’re kind of in the ‘get yours’ mode.”

So what should Alex Bogusky’s next move be? Many think he will continue be a voice of reason for the many causes he keeps near and dear to his heart. He answered the New York Times with the honesty we have come to understand and respect:

“I don’t think I’ll do much advertising” moving forward, Mr. Bogusky said, because “I’ve done plenty of it; I’m not able to find challenges in it.”

“Mostly, what I want to do is participate in this cultural revolution that’s happening,” he added, “happening mostly outside of advertising.”

“The more interesting stuff is coming from the fringes,” Mr. Bogusky said, “and that’s where I want to be.”

“My vision of advertising was always sort of culture jamming,” he added, using a term that refers to efforts to upend or disrupt institutions that include advertising, and there are increasingly ways to get people to talk about brands outside of the traditional realm.

“Social media is a fun place,” Mr. Bogusky said, “and an amazing tool that’s making it more possible” to reach consumers “without the budgets” because “you don’t need the money now” that was once required to reach them through ad campaigns.

“I’m very curious about where it’ll go,” he said of social media. He also listed potential interests that include “ideas for TV shows I could be involved with, as a host or in a producer or director capability.”

And “a fair amount of what I will do will not be for profit,” Mr. Bogusky said, citing interests like mentoring.
(Source New York Times ~ Bogusky, Creative Ad Star, Is Leaving Advertising)

Among Mr. Bogusky’s recent non-advertising pursuits, he has written a couple of books "9 Inch Diet" and "Baked In", hosted on an online talk show "FearlessQA" and spoken out about the nations food, child obesity, advertising to children and environment.

According to Bogusky, “Miles (Miles Nadal the CEO of MDC) started getting phone calls from some clients that didn’t like things that I had said”. Alex has been know to annoy clients as far back as when he published a book titled “9-Inch Diet” exposed the way America's diet and asses have been supersized. Of course that didn’t sit well with clients Burger King and Domino’s. Today both his blog and online broadcast (FearlessQA) tackle the issues of genetically-modified food and certainly brings into questions overall "consumerism". Alex is quoted, “Miles (Nadal) was cool about it, but to me I just thought this is going to happen over and over, and I’ve barely begun. It’s like, everyone’s got enough going on, so I don’t want MDC to have to deal with damage control. So Miles and I basically went back to Plan A... retirement.”

Recently he produced a brilliant video message on "global warming". In this simple two minute video, Alex brings to point the current issue of "global warming" and relating it to pollution. Using the famed "Crying Indian" featuring actor Chief Iron Eyes Cody (he wasn't really a chief or native american) from 1971, using the original spot and his updated message, Alex demonstrated that "pollution is bad, clean is good", so anything that effects global warming is bad. Carbon in the air is bad. Less of it is good. Focus on the problem. Solve the problem. And leave the scientific and political blather out of the room.

(Note: The "Crying Indian" was created by Marsteller Inc. The spot won two Clio awards and the campaign was named one of the top 100 advertising campaigns of the 20th Century by Ad Age Magazine.)

CP+B AND THE FUTURE

He hasn’t said what he’ll do next, but there are several interesting things he’s been exploring. Trust me if he can match his success at CP+B in any other endeavor, the results will be amazing. But that raises another question: What does his departure mean for Crispin Porter + Bogusky?

Crispin Porter + Bogusky has been left in great hands. In early 2008 when Alex and Chuck Porter were named co-chairman, they left the day-to-day creative voice and direction in the hands of great creative thinkers Andrew Keller and Rob Reilly. Together they have lead a brilliant team of inspired and brave "thinkers", Jeff Benjamin, Tiffany Kosel, David Wright, Ari Merkin, Bill Wright, Faris Yakob, Scott Prindle and many others who are rewriting the rule book every day for a stellar list of clients that grows with each new innovation or strategic approach that just makes the industry stop take notice. No just on the creativity, but the influence it has on the media, culture and most importantly the audience.

The current client list includes Burger King, Microsoft, Domino’s Pizza, Coke Zero, Guitar Hero, Old Navy, Gap, AMEX, Kraft, Best Buy and Geek Squad and remain one of the most awarded agencies in the world with the unprecedented distinction of winning the Grand Prix at the Cannes International Advertising Festival in five separate categories. The agency has been named Agency of the Year twelve times in the advertising trade press, as well as being named Interactive Agency of the Year at Cannes three times.

There is no sign of this stopping as they attract the top talent from around the world. They draw deep from the well of all the advertising schools were the work of CP+B is featured at the top of every case study whether on creativity, strategy and innovation. This year I am proud say that we have our first intern hired in the Boulder office.

THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ALEX BOGUSKY

There is certainly no shortage of content on the internet about Alex Bogusky, including lists of things you would never believe or think to ask.

Yes he loses his wallet way more often than most people. He would be perfectly content eating Tex Mex food every day for the rest of his life. Most Mondays, he will come to work with at least one bloody, puss-oozing injury.

He rarely drinks anymore, but when he does he goes straight for the tequila. He has the attention span of a mating fruit fly.

In grade school, his teacher recommended he be put in a special class.

He owns eleven bicycles, four dirt bikes and one crotch rocket He has a photographic memory, but only for ads.

He has an irrational dislike of St. Louis. Yet many of his favorite people are from St. Louis.

At one time, he was a good enough motocross racer to turn pro. His mom and dad are both designers and more talented that he is.

And he cuts his own hair. With a Flowbie.

One of the best things I stumbled upon was a comment posted on Alex's blog the day of his announcement where he described the day he knew it was time to "stop and smell the flowers". It was posted by a very bright, whity and now obsessed advertising creative former neurologist named Zayra Rubin from New York. After reading his posting Zayra summed things up perfectly, words I couldn't find but felt deeply. Thanks Zayra.

I guess this is all the more poignant after today's news. And I guess we'll be like two ships who pass in the night, both on similar journeys in opposite directions. We've never met but just know that you have inspired me to do courageous, foolish and awesome things.

A few short years ago I was a neurologist. No, really. I literally lived in the hospital, watched people die on a daily basis, and saved some lives along the way. But I certainly didn't smell any flowers. Hell, I barely saw daylight. But I did it because I knew it all mattered and I didn't really see any other way.
It's a long story with a lot of steps in between, but now I'm actually headed towards a career in advertising. I know, I know, crazy, right? But it's exactly like you said earlier this week: it's about knowing who you really are and truly living that.

It's also about a Turkish proverb I came across some years back that got me through the worst of it: "No matter how far you've gone down the wrong road; turn back." I guess sometimes that road can be right for a while, but wrong in the end.

Ironically, I just posted an old entry of yours about meeting Lee Clow as a young creative, almost exiting the business, but being inspired to stay, and I thought to myself: "Shit, Alex Bogusky almost quit advertising before he even started? Now THAT would have been a great loss!"

Now I'm saying advertising's loss is going to be something else's gain; because whatever you pursue you will do it with grace, excellence and awe-inspiring brilliance.

And just know how many of us you have inspired along the way.

Peace out.

So, like I said at start of this posting I wasn't sure how to approach this since almost everything I have read these past few days was reading and sounding like an obituary. I wanted to honor and thank Alex, yet I don't want to be just another "Alex is gone. now what?" Sure I have referred to him as "Jesus of Boulder" for his working mud into miracles. Be it people, clients or causes he has helped build a creative revolution not seen since Bill Bernbach and George Lois both inspired the first "Golden Creative Age" of advertising.

Hopefully this isn't one of those postings.

Good-bye is may be to strong. As the french say " a bientôt pour le prochain".

INTERVIEW WITH ALEX BOGUSKY

Sally Hogshead: A View From An AdGuy Conversations

2010-07-05T01:42:00.002-04:00

Earlier this spring I had the privilege to sit down and speak with Sally Hogshead when she visited Toronto as a speaker during the Art of Marketing shortly after the release of her newest book "Fascinate".

Sally is passionate, bright and brilliant thinker. I have referred to her as a "big brain". Her newest book and our time together proved to be a wonderful learning experience and left me motivated and inspired.

Fascinate is very smart, easy and a great read. Sally divides her concept of fascination into seven universal triggers: Lust, Mystique, Prestige, Power, Vice, and Trust. Each is explained an in-depth study that explores the influence these seven triggers hold over people. Each is deeply a rooted pattern in how we react and become fascinated in our learning, engagement and influences our decision making in all parts of life. The book asks the question, what triggers cause us to make decisions, make purchases and motivates us to make changes in our lives.

Sally calls upon her experiences as a marketing innovation consultant and ad-agency entrepreneur for companies such as Target, Nike, Mini Cooper and Harry Winston Jewelers. Advertisers can longer just try to impress audiences with bold executions, the challenge today is communicate wth consumers beyond the bounds of rationality. Knowing what fascinates the consumer, building a personal message that triggers a response is the key.

Knowing your brand is one thing, knowing how to make it fascinating is now the key. When applying a trigger to a brand, take the Apple iPad as an example, the primary trigger is "Lust" and the secondary trigger would be "Trust". Apple has created a customer who lusts for their products, while based on a trust built on the quality. The more passionately someone feels about your product, the more successfully you’ve transformed a customer into a "lustomer".

Sally took the time to review my personal triggers. My primary is "Trust", secondary is "Prestige" and my dormant trigger is "Vice". Rare and interesting for me being a college professor. Episode Six below reveals her response and how I can call upon them.

This book is a very smart and fresh look at marketing, and how and why we need to change marketing strategies within the changing economy and new media available.

Our conversation was centered around how to help young AdLanders find their path and what it takes, and she had plenty of great advice and thoughts were we are are as a business and where we are heading.

She is one of the most engaging people I have ever met.

I wish to thank the kind folks at The Biz Media for providing me with the video and editing of each of the pieces. They are great group of guys who know how to get the job done and make everyone feel very at ease, and I really thank them for that.

Sally Hogshead Related Links:

sallyhogshead.com

Read more about 'Fascinate"

How Fascinating Are You? Take the "F Score" Test

Sally Hogshead YouTube Channel

HogBlog Thoughts and thinking on Radical Careering

Download a free PDF copy of Radical Careering

EPISODE ONE - HOW IT ALL STARTED

I asks Sally about how she got started in the ad industry. She reveals her interest in Sociology, and discusses the influence of society and on the consumer.

Sally offers some insight into the self-doubt that is inevitably experienced by every young "AdLander".

EPISODE TWO - GETTING OPINIONS, KNOWING WHAT TO ASK

Sally discusses dealing with rejection, and the importance of finding a place that nurtures and supports young talent.

She touches on the advantages of working for a big agency and offers some insightful advice on the ever-important informational interview.

EPISODE THREE -ADVERTISING TODAY

Sally offers her thoughts on the advertising industry today, including how it has changed since Madison Avenue was the capital of it all and where its going in the future. In addition she offers her opinion on social media, inventing new media, and coming up with big ideas that are persuasive beyond the media platform.

EPISODE FOUR - THE BIG CAREER CHANGE

Sally talks about her career as an author and touches on the personal journey behind her first book, Radical Careering, and discusses how the career journey often affects the individuals self-perception. She talks about potential, and reveals her desire to bring a new way of thinking into the career category.

EPISODE FIVE - FASCINATE

Sally talks toabout the origin of her newest book, Fascinate AND reveals the books non-marketing approach to understanding consumer behaviour and talks about interpreting marketing in a more instinctive way.

Sally offers her opinion on earning trust from the consumer, and the importance of effective reactive campaigns.

EPISODE SIX - "FASCINATE" WHAT'S YOUR TRIGGER
Anthony Kalamut talks to Sally Hogshead about the F-Score test - the main focus in her newest book, Fascinate.

Sally talks about the F-Score test - the main focus in her newest book, Fascinate and the importance of earning the consumers trust, and the inherent right-brained/left-brained nature of many consumer triggers.

Are You A Pain In The Facebook? Good News "Call Out" Your Friends.

2010-06-21T20:59:00.007-04:00

Zig Toronto has created a pretty cool Facebook app client New York Fries called "New York Fries Call Out".

Full disclosure here, it was created by two grads from my Creative Advertsing program copywriter Neil Blewett and art director Spencer Black, but I still find this to be a very cool "engagement" available to you for those friends of yours that simple "over do" it on their Facebook updates. I personal believe I was the reason they created this latest app was my personal "no" shortage of update posts.

Well technically not an "app", the cool part about the "CALL OUT" is it uses the most common Facebook function "tagging". The agency and client (and now consumers) just uploaded posters that call out annoying Facebook behavior, and then ask people to tag their friends guilty of these types behavior. Facebook with its ever limiting restrictions on apps, this uses one of most common and inherent functions that all users are familiar with.

The legendary Crispin Porter + Bogusky Burger King "Whopper Sacrifice that required you to eliminate friends, this app lets you keep the friends, but let them know that maybe you didn't need to know about their "love of Friday's with a daily countdown" or the way "yoooooou streeeeech ooooout eeeeeeevery woooooord iiiiiin yooooouuuuur uuuuupdaaaate". Shortly after going live with The Burger King "Whopper Sacrifice Facebook disabled WHOPPER® Sacrifice after users love for the Whopper proved to be stronger than 233,906 friendships.

Like me, you likely have friends who have "over zealous" Facebook behavior and it has gotten out of control. You know the kind of update s, the ones that are calling you to comment on every single damn post. You’re not the only one.

Since the app went live last week over 7,300 folks have tagged and told their Facebook friends you are posting too much and too frequently.

So here's your chance call out your friend’s annoying Facebook behavior! There are currently 14 different "call out" comments you can use. Simply tag your most annoying friends. They'll get the update and you might get your point across.

Big fun! Have fun!

CREDITS:
Chairman and Chief Creative Officer: Aaron Starkman
Associate Creative Directors: Michael Murray, Jason Hill
Art Director: Spencer Black
Copywriter: Neil Blewett
Producer: Jennifer Costello

Zig - New York Fries Call Out

LOVE = FOOTBALL ~ PUMA Celebration of True Football. For Africa. For Football.

2010-06-21T16:10:00.002-04:00

Earlier this spring PUMA Teamsport launched a global celebration of "true football". Starting with "For Africa. For Football" leading up to the World Cup. PUMA is not an official "sponsor" their presences will be seen on the jersey's and boots of many nations.

The Beatles once said "all you need is love", PUMA Teamsport has refined it for their newest campaign "Love = Football", our as it appears in print, video, web and other media platforms "All you need is Football", except there are no words.

As possibly the world’s first wordless tagline, the campaign aims to transcend cultural and language barriers, just like love and football.

It is after all a World Cup year, and we will all show our insane love of the game that possess all and unites all beyond borders. Bringing football back to its roots. Because love is football.

The spot is homage to the "soul" of the game of football. Shot on location in Angola, Ghana and the Ivory Coast with original music "Going On" by Gnarls Barkley, and the spot features PUMA players Samuel Eto'o, Gervinho, Emmanuel Eboue and Mohammed Zidan.

Created by Syrup of New York, the global advertising agency for PUMA Teamsport, is the latest in the LOVE=FOOTBALL campaign which encompasses everything from chalk drawings and stickers to websites, billboards and finally this.One of the interactive pieces includes a partnership with SkySports that offers a "upload" your "LOVE" of football website. The campaign include the redesign of pumafootball.com a website feature for the African Cup of Nations and a short film entitled “Of The Same Earth” about African unity featuring footballers Samuel Eto’o, Emmanuel Eboué, John Mensah and celebrated contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley.

The campaigns calls upon the legendary Pele a PUMA player for most of his active career, when retired as a player from the New York Cosmos, Pele’s last three words as a professional footballer captured the spirit of his approach to the game. In front of 75,000 fans at New York's Giants Stadium, he said “Love, Love, Love,” and then walked off the pitch to a standing ovation. Pele's example of pure love for football is the inspiration for PUMA's “Love = Football” campaign according to Syrup. It rings true whether you’re a player or a fan, no matter how old or how young. Whether you call it football, soccer, calcio, futebol or fotboll, the “Love = Football” campaign is universal,” explains Jakob Daschek, Chief Creative Officer of Syrup.

Based on the premise that love and football have so much in common they are virtually interchangeable in cultures around the world; the “Love = Football” campaign is already being displayed in outdoor, digital and guerrilla work throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. The work will continue to roll out leading up to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

“The Love = Football campaign struck a chord for a PUMA," said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer for PUMA. "Simple and poignant, the tagline goes to the heart of this world-wide phenomenon that is football. Football is one of the most powerful and universal human pursuits. We feel it and live it as a brand, having played in the global football arena for decades."

"We never set out to make ads about football. There’s something very pure about PUMA’s place in the game and we wanted to celebrate this in a way that elevates the sport to the level of the most raw of human emotions” explains Rob Holzer, CEO of Syrup.

In addition, the campaign is also being applied to each of the PUMA Teamsport campaigns with unique iterations for Rugby, Cricket and Handball and for markets around the world.

PUMA - LOVE = FOOTBALL SPOT

CREDITS:

Advertising Agency: Syrup, an LBi Group Company, USA
Chief Creative Officer: Jakob Daschek
Creative Director: Gui Borchert
Director: Jakob Daschek

PUMA - LOVE = FOOTBALL PRINT

PUMA - LOVE = FOOTBALL CHALK STREET ART

PUMA - LOVE = FOOTBALL WEBSITE

Posted via web from anthony kalamut's posterous

Australia - "Where Men Are Men and Sheep..." Here's How The Socceroos Prepared for The FIFA World Cup.

2010-06-19T14:30:00.002-04:00

Okay, bad jokes aside but Australia is the land that claims "Men are Men and Sheep Quiver". So exactly how did the "Socceroos" prepare for the long journey to Africa for the FIFA World Cup™ 2010?

To prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the Australian football team was involved in a secret training camp. So secret it was kept from media, fans, friends and even those closest to the Football Federation Australia. The team flew over to South Africa last year to prepare for the extreme conditions they are likely to face.

Optus Telecommunications is an Australian leader in integrated telecommunications, delivering cutting-edge communications, information technology and entertainment services. They are traditionally known for its ads that bring the world of animals and mankind together.

The spot features a young "Soccerroo" fan who discovers the training ground where players are engrossed in an intense practice session with fierce creatures like rhinos, crocodiles and elephants. The voice-over concludes that “With Optus behind football anything’s possible”. Behind-the-scenes footage and downloads are available through the Optus football site and YouTube Channel.

Optus - "Secret Training Camp"

Created by M&C Saatchi Sydney under ECD Ben Welsh. The ad features Australian players Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill.

Budweiser "The Swap"

2010-06-19T13:32:00.002-04:00

Official World Cup sponsor Budweiser and agency DDB Chicago takes the great tradition of "jersey" swapping to a new level in this spot.

The "Swap" is a traditional exchange of mutual respect amongst players, The spot takes it to spectators, strangers, neighbors - you get the point. The idea is so simple and why I like the concept.

The love spreads contagiously across the world as people swap pets, wigs and more. In the end make sure what you swap is worthy... the guy at the end accidentally swaps his Budweiser with a pretty lady and fruity drink. Thank goodness the bartender is there to save the day and give him a new one.

BUDWEISER - "The Swap"

CREDITS:
Advertising Agency: DDB, Chicago, USA
Chairman and Chief Creative Officer: Bob Scarpelli
SVP, Group Creative Director: Barry Burdiak
VP, Creative Director: John Hayes
Creative Director: Dan Strasser
Art Director: John Baker
Copywriter: Mihai Botarel
Producer: Richard Chambers

Nike "Write the Future" ~ The Moment Last a Second, The Legend Lasts Forever.

2010-06-15T01:35:00.002-04:00

Nike’s ‘Write the Future’ viral ad has attracted over 16+ million views in 2 weeks, establishing a new record for YouTube. Accompanying the viral video are these five absolutely brilliant and equally gorgeous print ads.

Each of the ads highlight key scenes from the the video. The print campaign has immortalized soccer stars like England's Wayne Rooney, Portugal's Christian Ronaldo and France's Franck Ribery in statue form. The slogans are tailored to each player and plays up to their unique abilities on the field. For instance, Rooney’s slogan reads, “Arise Sir Wayne,” as Rooney’s statue is positioned in mid-air ready to head butt the ball in the desired direction.

Most interestingly, there is a significant dose of revisionist history in the print campaign. I don’t quite remember Robinho being in the spot, but that's because Brazilian national team coach Dunga made plenty of headlines when he left world class star Ronaldinho off the roster for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Ronaldinho is a big ticket item in terms of the Nike brand world wide and there was little doubt that he would be key to the Brazilians but the coach had a different idea.

The Nike ‘Write the Future’ campaign will definitely has football and World Cup fans hyped. The campaign was created by Wieden+Kennedy of Amsterdam. The overall campaign was 6 months in the making and is perhaps the best commercial for any sports event. Interestingly, Nike released the ad first only on their Facebook page with viewers being able to view the ad after they clicked the ‘Like’ button. A bit strange, forcing one to ‘like’ something.

Nike Carves Its Own World Cup 'Mount Rushmore' for "Write the Future" Campaign

2010-06-14T23:48:00.002-04:00

Located on the Cromwell Road in West London, Nike has craved the faces of four of England's famous football faces playing upon the famous Mount Rushmore which features American presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

The installation is 75 metres long, is 16 metres high and two metres deep making it the biggest "ambient" ad in the UK and is predicted to be seen around six million times in the lead up to the opening game against the USA squad.

The rock sculpture billboard idea began five months ago when the faces of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and James Milner, as well as absentee Theo Walcott were electronically scanned to produce a lifelike reproduction of their features with each face then being perfected in intricate detail by a team of dedicated craftsmen and sculptors in a secret location Essex.

And the four giant faces, each weighing 700 pounds, and were transported and installed on the site in West London. The painstaking effort came before Walcott's surprise omission from the England World Cup squad.

The build at the Cromwell Road site took over five days to complete and will be in position until Sunday 20th June.

NIKE - "Write the Future" Cromwell Road Sculptures

Nike Isn't An Official World Cup Sponsor But Spot "Write the Future" Breaks Viral Viewing Record.

2010-06-14T23:13:00.003-04:00

Odd, but true Nike isn't an official World Cup sponsor. Surprised?
Anyone would think that after Nike produced the star studded three-minute "Write the Future" video Nike was a "platinum" sponsor. No, Adidas is the official ball and footwear sponsor.

But Nike is still the big winner at the World Cup. The "Write the Future" campaign broke the record for the biggest audience in the first week of a campaign with 7.8 million views and currently sits at over 18 million views overall. The original record for a first week "views", incidentally, also belong to Nike with the creepy, somber and strange "Earl and Tiger" ad, which debuted earlier this year with 6.3 million views in its first week.

The spot has a cast of international football stars including Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Franck Ribery and Christiano Ronald. (Mr. Rooney is shown a future living in a trailer if he fails to catch Mr. Ribery steaming toward England's goal.) As the chart from Visible Measures shows, the video truly has international appeal.

Interestingly, Pepsi also is not an official World Cup sponsor, but its "Oh Africa" has spent seven weeks on the Viral Chart.

The "Write the Future" spot has now been broken down into various :30 and :60 second spots featuring various stars from the original.

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directed an elite cast of characters from football and entertainment for "Write the Future" and was created by Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam.

Christiano Ronald - :30 Second Spot

CREDITS:

Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, Amsterdam
Executive Creative Director: Jeff Kling
Creative Director: Mark Bernath and Eric Quennoy
Copywriter: Stuart Harkness and Freddie Powell
Art Director: Stuart Harkness and Freddie Powell
Producer: Elissa Singstock and Olivier Klonhammer

If You Believe In It, They Will Come. FIFA World Cup "Support The Bid" Spot.

2010-06-14T22:29:00.002-04:00

Based on a true story.

This spot was produced for the organizing committee to get the South African population behind the bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup as many around the world began ot think that it was a mistake to have given the World Cup to South Africa. It all began with Wimpie le Roux, FCB's business unit director for FNB, in late 2006, when Bizcommunity.com (South African marketing and advertising site) ran a column from Chris Moerdyk relating the true life story of an incident he witnessed at Cape Town International, which involved a cynical South African being put in his place by an Australian tourist.

"The creative team saw the story on Bizcommunity and at the time they were busy with conceptualising a television campaign to announce FNB's involvement in and support for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," said Le Roux. "They then sought and got permission to 'redo' the story as part the FNB advertising campaign.

The rest is history.