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Precision Shoppers (but possibly imprecise research)

Posted on by Gemma T in retail, trends

Sitting in the hairdressers and flicking through Grazia magazine this weekend, I was surprised to read that they had commissioned an ‘exclusive survey’ into shopping habits. In fact the article doesn’t actually reveal any kind of audience, sample size or methodology (my best guess is that they slapped a survey on the Grazia website), but … Continue reading Precision Shoppers (but possibly imprecise research) →

AgencyLand – nearly broke and we need to fix it

Posted on by Gemma T in agencies, trends

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s becoming extremely difficult for a medium sized UK agency to actually make enough money to stay afloat.  Factor in a desire to produce creative and effective work (and of course, the two things are connected) and it’s a seemingly impossible task. Why? 1) Work has massively shifted from … Continue reading AgencyLand – nearly broke and we need to fix it →

I can’t predict the future, but I’m fairly sure about Staycationing, Staying In and Savvy Shopping

Posted on by Gemma T in trends

cartoon by Tom Fishburne I keep being asked at work to have a stab at predicting consumer attitudes and behaviours in three, six or even twelve months time.  Since no-one seems to be sure whether we are in a W or V shaped recession, this is a tad challenging to say the least. I am … Continue reading I can’t predict the future, but I’m fairly sure about Staycationing, Staying In and Savvy Shopping →

Just another day-in-the-made-up-life

Posted on by Gemma T in advertising, Campaigns

Without wanting to sound like Little Miss Negativity, I’m getting a bit sick of all of these unreal day-in-the-life ads that have been popping up recently. Because obviously, Miss Consumer must so naïve that she’ll buy into not-quite-real diaries and photoshoots, where they just happen to mention how fabulous product X is. The Schwarzkopf Live … Continue reading Just another day-in-the-made-up-life →

Clients – can’t live with (some of) them, can’t push them off a cliff

Posted on by Gemma T in advertising, agencies, clients

Following a few rather trying client meetings recently, I went home and unburdened myself to my aforementioned lifetime-in-retail Dad.  He talked me down from my slightly hysterical state by saying that the way he’d always seen it, in retail it was all really a game and in the end (no matter how difficult the customer), … Continue reading Clients – can’t live with (some of) them, can’t push them off a cliff →

never mind the groups, what about the catering?

Posted on by Gemma T in clients, research

I was at a viewing facility on Monday evening where they seemed to be hell bent on fulfilling their duty of care to clients and moderators in making sure we were looking after ourselves properly.  As well as the usual fruit basket and fridges filled with water, Coke and Red Bull, they offered fruit juices and no less … Continue reading never mind the groups, what about the catering? →

a brief message for European marketing directors

Posted on by Gemma T in clients

I seem to have spent a fair chunk of the last four years engaged in indirect battles with the marketing directors of the European parent companies of some of my UK clients.  On the off-chance that any of that illustrious group are reading this, you are (indirectly) paying my agency a lot of money based on … Continue reading a brief message for European marketing directors →

newsflash – my dinner party survey shows social technologies NOT mainstream in UK yet

Posted on by Gemma T in social media, social media trends

Just in case you were under the impression that everyone in the UK with a degree and an internet connection must surely ‘get’ social media, I had a very enlightening conversation with a bunch of (normal, female, early thirties) accountants at a dinner party last Saturday night. They asked me to explain what ‘blogging’ was, … Continue reading newsflash – my dinner party survey shows social technologies NOT mainstream in UK yet →