I detected a definite shift this year towards homemade gifts, with jam, chutney, Turkish Delight and flavoured vodka all being unwrapped at my house on Christmas Day. Having heard similar stories over the last few days I can only imagine that businesses selling kilner jars and jam pot covers had a bumper December. From Kirstie’s … Continue reading homemade gifting is on the up, but will AdLand feel the impact?
Author: Gemma T
Brand and Creative Strategist
deck the halls with festive ranting
What I want for Christmas (apart from a Range Rover Evoque and a horse with legs that work) is for the last wave of agencies to finally grow up. They need to wake up to the fact that it isn’t 1995 anymore. That having a full time staff of 40 while claiming to be experts … Continue reading deck the halls with festive ranting
yet more straight talking advice for aspiring account planners (part three)
I’m still being contacted regularly by aspiring account planners (thanks for getting in touch!) and it feels like my series of Straight Talking Advice for Wannabe Planners is due for another instalment (if this sounds like your kind of thing and you haven’t done so already, read part one and part two first). This time … Continue reading yet more straight talking advice for aspiring account planners (part three)
…or whatever it’s calling itself this week
I recently noticed that a Planner mate on LinkedIn had updated their entry to list them working at: [agency’s new name] (or whatever it’s calling itself this week). Yes, their agency had just rebranded. Again. I had a think back and between them the three agencies I’ve worked for managed eight full rebrands and another … Continue reading …or whatever it’s calling itself this week
what’s with all this obsession with cool (and by extension, youth)?
Sometimes, when I meet someone at a party and they find out I work in advertising (and especially once I explain what a Planner does) a flicker of surprise crosses their face. I suppose I don’t seem the type, perhaps like someone more likely to be a teacher or accountant. You see, I’m not cool. … Continue reading what’s with all this obsession with cool (and by extension, youth)?
why clients and their agencies need to look back to the future
Apologies for the recent silence but I’ve been busy trying to get my head around a new client. This particular organisation and it’s challenges has required speedy generation one of those Planner’s To Do lists where the short term and long term To Dos are very similar, but the urgent stuff will have to be … Continue reading why clients and their agencies need to look back to the future
where has GAP gone wrong?
I used to love GAP. Mainly because their sales staff were always prepared to bring you dozens of different jeans to try on until you found one that fit. When your body shape is tricky (little waist but curvy hips), that kind of customer service makes a big difference and GAP became my first port … Continue reading where has GAP gone wrong?
the perfect workshop venue?
I spent yesterday morning in the very picturesque surroundings of Carlshead Farm near Wetherby with Learning to Listen, a leadership, teambuilding and coaching organisation. I was there for an open morning/taster session, checking out their approach to see if it might suit my sort of clients. The fact that Learning to Listen do a lot … Continue reading the perfect workshop venue?
since when did clicking ‘like’ become the price of beginning a conversation?
I got a press release from Lemsip's digital agency the other day, rather belatedly letting me know about their ‘It’s a Man’s Flu’ facebook campaign. I dutifully headed over there to have a look…but you couldn’t have a play with it unless you ‘liked’ the page first It’s not just Lemsip, they’re all at it. … Continue reading since when did clicking ‘like’ become the price of beginning a conversation?
is the Range Rover Evoque a designer handbag?
I was wondering round Leeds the other week when I saw the new baby Range Rover Evoque on display in the middle of an upmarket shopping arcade. Of course I had a nosey – I’m always on the lookout for my motoring holy grail, an automatic that’s good on the motorway, is small enough to … Continue reading is the Range Rover Evoque a designer handbag?