One of the most valuable gifts I've ever been given at work was from the retiring planning guru, who bequeathed me a powerpoint document containing every chart he'd ever used. I don't think I realised at the time just how useful it would turn out to be, both for those 'how do I show this insight in … Continue reading toolbox – the gift that keeps on giving
Author: Gemma T
Brand and Creative Strategist
Don’t just think Pink #2
A new report from Saatchi & Saatchi (perhaps following up on Trendwatching's female fever report) reveals that women feel ‘patronised’ and ‘offended’ by the abundance of pink technology products aimed at women and that only 9% of those questioned felt it was important that gadgets look feminine. But how does that explain why Woolworths say … Continue reading Don’t just think Pink #2
work where you work best
It struck me, as I was having an in-depth discussion on media strategy in the ladies' loos this morning, that some of my most productive meetings have taken place in the most unlikely locations. I'm not talking about the 'fourth floor meeting room at 10am' kind of meetings (which in my experience rarely produce the … Continue reading work where you work best
new D&AD annual
I've been flicking through the new D&AD annual this morning. Feel a bit like I've eaten a whole box of chocolates in one go - too much good stuff at once is a bit overwhelming.
paddling like mad to stay in the right direction
People are a bit like swans. However calm and organised we may appear to be on the surface, beneath the water we are paddling like mad to stay afloat and in the right direction as we lurch from crisis to crisis. Which is a bit like companies (and therefore their brands) really. Everything might seem ordered, … Continue reading paddling like mad to stay in the right direction
Time for some brand new creative?
I noticed that Nationwide have moved their 'jobsworth employee' ("brand new customers only") campaign into press. The thing is, I'm starting to associate Nationwide rather than their competitors with poor customer service and inflexible offers. Which probably means that what was once a great way of demonstrating difference has now become so ubiquitous that the … Continue reading Time for some brand new creative?
nine things I didn’t know last year
One of the coolest things about being a Planner has to be the opportunity to become semi-expert about a new subject very quickly. Nine things I didn't know last year: Aloe vera can help bolster the immune system of puppies If small, cream coloured maggots with brown heads have eaten the roots of your shrubs, … Continue reading nine things I didn’t know last year
promises, promises – a few suggestions for a better relationship
We, the clients, promise: not to call any agency contact before 9am or after 5.30pm unless it really is actually properly urgent to ask no more than five agencies to take part in any creative pitch and to make clear at the outset the number of pitch stages involved to provide hot/cold drinks and (preferably chocolate) … Continue reading promises, promises – a few suggestions for a better relationship
pitching should be a two-way process
At the Northern Planning Summit last Thursday night in Sheffield we ended up discussing what would you chose not to pitch for as an agency?, which encompassed wider issues like are they flogging booze/sub-prime finance/fags/politics (delete according to where you draw the line) and are they likely to turn into the client from hell? Which made me think alot … Continue reading pitching should be a two-way process
matrix revisited
Has anyone else noticed just how much Matrix rip-off creative there is around at the moment? Specsavers, moneysupermarket.com and young person's railcard are all recent culprits. moneysupermarket.com Specsavers Young Person's Railcard - taken from their website as I couldn't get a shot of the poster as the train whizzed by Yes, I know Matrix is … Continue reading matrix revisited