Lame artwork in the equestrian world

I was flicking through the new issue of Horse magazine and noticed that nearly all the ads featured dodgy cut outs of horses.  Not quite full-blown photoshop disasters, but some pretty shoddy artwork all the same. The worst offender was probably this ad (inside front cover, it probably cost them about £3K for the space), … Continue reading Lame artwork in the equestrian world

a few New Year’s Resolutions for the ad industry

I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions.  Mainly because then I can’t be depressed by (however inadvertently) breaking them.  But I thought that maybe the advertising/marketing/communications industry could do with making a few resolutions for 2011.  Might I suggest: - Stop insisting Digital is some kind of holy grail, first stop, catch all solution and start … Continue reading a few New Year’s Resolutions for the ad industry

People Power is going to change AdLand’s playing field

If there’s been a theme to the fluffier (non royal wedding related) UK news over the past couple of weeks, it’s been People Power. From X Factor Wagner protest votes and Gillian McKeith’s 6th I’m a Celebrity trial in a row to the John Lewis cold doggy, People Power has been setting the agenda. It … Continue reading People Power is going to change AdLand’s playing field

John Lewis Christmas ad – have I found another version or perhaps a work in progress?

I’ve been doing a little online detective work this evening. I regularly pop over to AdAge to check out their Best Ads and the John Lewis Christmas ad is currently one of their top picks. Except it wasn’t the ad above.  ‘Your Song’ had been replaced by ‘How Deep Is Your Love’.  I have to … Continue reading John Lewis Christmas ad – have I found another version or perhaps a work in progress?

Copy heavy is lovely – so long as the audience can read it

Via Wikipedia, I stumbled across the staggering estimation that 100,000 pupils each year in the UK leave school ‘functionally illiterate’ – i.e. they cannot read or write well enough to deal with the everyday requirements of life in our society. This prompted me to start thinking about all the adults I know who have literacy … Continue reading Copy heavy is lovely – so long as the audience can read it

Beauty isn’t just about rolling back the wrinkles

The beauty industry seems to be to be hell-bent on encouraging women to turn back the clock, whether it’s via botox, facials or miracle anti wrinkle creams. But to be honest, I just want to look good for my age. When I talk to friends my age about beauty and body image we all wish … Continue reading Beauty isn’t just about rolling back the wrinkles

Dear Quantas: I think you might need a new ad agency

Yesterday’s Sunday Times magazine carried the Quantas ad below (click to enlarge): Yes, someone, somewhere did think that the line “there’s nothing like flying to Australia on the Quantas A380” was going to pull the punters in. Oh, wait.  It was a quote from John Travolta, their Goodwill Ambassador.  And look!  There’s a picture of … Continue reading Dear Quantas: I think you might need a new ad agency