Russell Davies

anonymously taking aim

creative strategies to avoid

1. vote for X - 'it'll be like a mock election, we'll have candidates and everything, and we can actually create a character who can stand at a by-election. It'll really seize the popular imagination' No, it won't.

2. parody of existing advertising style - who hasn't yet done a parody of 'the best a man can get' style stuff? Irn-Bru did it. Fray Bentos have done it, Miller have done it. I think. And everyone's done 70s cheesey stuff. Just don't do it.

bad things to do in presentations

1. characterising your target audience as 'darren and tracey'

2. saying 'this is going to enter the language and/or popular culture' It won't. It might have done 20 years ago, but unless it's the best ad ever, it won't.

ah, brand as elixir of life

"word of mouth will be the new advertising"

"word of mouth is set to become tomorrow's TV"

"the ultimate stage is brand as elixir of life, the spark from which a new life grows, and the unique DNA that shapes the development of every aspect of an organization is formed. This is what I mean when I use the word 'brand'.

all from Brand Storm by Will Murray (the website is well-worth a visit for students of bollocks: 'if you cut your company in half, does it read customer?' )

ah, upbeat and energetic

Procter & Gamble Rolls Out Pringles Pop Quiz Summer Concert Promotion

Procter & Gamble and SFX have launched a music-themed game show called the Pringles Pop Quiz at 31 of SFX's amphitheatres across the country during the 2001 summer concert season.

"We think our patrons will really enjoy Pringles Pop Quiz," said Paula Balzer, Chief Marketing Officer of SFX. "It will provide a unique pre-show experience that's not only fun for everyone attending the concerts, but will enable Procter & Gamble to effectively interact with multiple demographics directly in an upbeat and energetic setting."

P&G/SFX press release

ah, ideation

Our mission is to uncover the key insights that build and drive groundbreaking brand solutions. By employing a brand-centric (rather than advertising-specific) focus, we create ideas that can be communicated across all points of contact. We have extensive experience in researching visual identities, names, Web sites, POP materials, and advertising. And we've created a number of proprietary tools and ideation techniques to better understand a brand's current equities as well as possible new positionings. We strive to gain the greatest insight in the least amount of timeall in an effort to build your brand quickly."

from the Martin Williams website

the new folk art? i hope not

here's a thing I found at things. a collection of the appalling 'news-art' that CNN churn out everyday. fascinatingly bad.

lovely, lovely christmas

just walked past richard james on saville row. very nice christmas lights.

good, if scary, quotes

"reward excellent failures, punish mediocre success" phil daniels. not that phil daniels. the phil daniels who's CEO of something.

"let's make a dent in the universe" - steve jobs

ad cliches to be avoided

no 15. the training academy. as in the British Gas ads. normally a spoof training academy demonstrating the extraordinary lengths a brand will go to.