I’ve been unsuccessfully hunting for a new horse since January (my current one has been retired due to arthritis). In the process I've discovered that there’s a lot of language in horse ads that needs decoding, for example would suit experienced rider means ‘the horse is a total nutcase’ and if you read spooks occasionally … Continue reading decoding the creds deck
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considering overconfidence
I’ve encountered a few people recently for whom Confidence is so much not a problem…that it actually is. pic from here I think overconfidence is a trait we don’t consider enough. Because it can lead to all kinds of problems. It’s the ‘how hard can it be?’ attitude that leads people to have accidents. Or … Continue reading considering overconfidence
get set for a long haul celebratory Summer
I did a project a few months back for a UK retailer looking at all the events planned for Summer 2012 and assessing the likely impact. Without giving away all the insight the client paid for, it’s a little bit worrying. For a start, it’s going to be a long-haul Summer. From the Diamond Jubilee … Continue reading get set for a long haul celebratory Summer
M&S Summer ad hits the spot
I rather like the new M&S Summer ad. It’s an excellent way of a) subtly muscling in on the Olympic action without being a sponsor, b) hedging their bets as to which big event of this Summer (the Jubilee, Olympics or Euro 2012) will provide the most retail uplift and c) allowing RKCR/Y&R to edit the … Continue reading M&S Summer ad hits the spot
an example of quality not quantity when it comes to sampling activity
I stumbled across two big pieces of promotional activity going on in Leeds yesterday: The gist of this first lot of activity seemed to be, ‘Put Pork on your Fork! Bacon sandwiches are delicious! Eating lower salt ones means you can eat them more often! Here, have a hot bacon butty, the ketchup’s over there.’ … Continue reading an example of quality not quantity when it comes to sampling activity
when agencies take flight to the city centre, do they take their brand with them?
Thinking back over the last 14 (!) years I’ve worked in Yorkshire’s AdLand, I’ve seen several large-ish agencies abandon their not-fit-for-purpose offices and move to to swanky new, open plan, city centre offices. three local agency landmark buildings I can understand why – a lot of these buildings simply aren’t suited to the fast-paced, open-plan … Continue reading when agencies take flight to the city centre, do they take their brand with them?
erm, what is it exactly that Planners do again?
I had a very disconcerting conversation with a Partner in a (what counts for medium sized up here) agency recently. This person knew that they needed some Planning, but didn’t really know what Account Planning was or what a Planner does. It was a bit of a wake-up call when I had to explain the … Continue reading erm, what is it exactly that Planners do again?
press just isn’t performing
Last week in a client meeting, someone looked up and said “we’re just going to have to stop using press”. This client’s conversion rate via press has recently dropped from merely unimpressive to unsustainable and to put it in context, for them online activity now converts 100 times more effectively than press. You could of … Continue reading press just isn’t performing
Northern agency Recession Watch
As a freelance, I inevitably get about a bit. So I hear an awful lot about how well (or otherwise) businesses and individuals round my way are doing. I can’t comment on the daily media stories about how the economy is getting better / worse / becoming more unpredictable by the day, but I certainly … Continue reading Northern agency Recession Watch
Hurrah for the Old Girl’s Network
I remember, quite distinctly, sitting in a restaurant at least ten years ago having one of our regular Friday night dinners with a gang of girls who all worked in the marketing industry around Leeds and wondering out loud if this was the start of a new Old Girl’s Network. I’ve just realised that it … Continue reading Hurrah for the Old Girl’s Network