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?
Category: Account Planning
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?
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
it turns out I give good spreadsheet after all
I’ve been working with a new client for a few months that, by virtue of their business model, have to be very focused on a few KPIs. They do a lot of digital activity and are also pretty hot on tracking where other incoming leads are coming from, so you can tweak an element of … Continue reading it turns out I give good spreadsheet after all
why do we promote people out of what they’re good at?
ITIABTWC posted last week about whether a great Creative was made up of the same stuff as a great Creative Director and therefore whether seeing one as the natural progression of the other was actually a sensible idea. It strikes me that it’s the same in lots of other disciplines, including Planning. It’s a good … Continue reading why do we promote people out of what they’re good at?
have Weightwatchers made a big fat mistake?
I was having a look at something/procrastinating on Vevo this morning and got served the new Weightwatchers ad (which came out at the start of the month but had somehow passed me by), by Saatchi & Saatchi. this is the short version, the long one lasts a full ad break It’s caused quite a bit … Continue reading have Weightwatchers made a big fat mistake?
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)
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
thinking beyond the numbers
The other day I stumbled across this rather fab video of Robbie Williams strutting his stuff at Kebworth in 2003. I knew there had been a lot of people there, but this shot made me wonder how many... That’s 125,000 people, right there. Or to put it another way 0.2% of the UK population. 0.2% … Continue reading thinking beyond the numbers
another great annual Planner Survey
Heather’s annual global Planner Survey has just been released, complete with some lovely infographics (researchers, take note). You can read the survey and full appendix on Heather’s blog and I’ve popped the presentation below. The Planner Survey 2011 PS I'm in it. See if you can spot me...