Archive for the ‘Advertising’ Category

Is it Spring/Summer already?

Posted by on August 7th, 2009 at 11:59am

We might complain about record heatwaves, water restrictions and long term drought however it takes a measly month or two of ‘winter’ before we are again ready to launch Spring /Summer. Despite deceptively warm days according to the calendar we still have almost a month of winter before we can truthfully see the launch of spring and months before summer really hits our shores.  So why is it we and the fashion industry in particular, are so keen to hasten winter and bring forth summer?

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Posted in Advertising

Man tears

Posted by on July 30th, 2009 at 11:27am

I am writing this with man tears in my eyes. Thinking of a man, 15 years ago, bravely entering a career in an industry he longed to  be a part, yet amongst the jeering of friends and family – “why” and “sounds boring”. A profession that even his early workmates warned him to “run away”, as for them it was too late. They had lost all hope.

The man was ‘me’ and the profession is ‘research’. These memories surfaced when reading the recent article in B&T in which Campaign Palance Chief Executive Jacques Burger pointed his finger at research saying the Australian ad industry has “become fixated on research in a bad way.” As I noted in my response to Burger on www.bandt.com.au the danger in such a public opinion is the unreasonable link that poor advertising is because of research.

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Posted in Advertising

Thanks for the memories David

Posted by on July 23rd, 2009 at 11:06pm

It was a sad day 10 years ago when ad legend, even god, David Ogilvy died. The man questioning the status quo and establishing one of the king agencies and a personal reputation to match died 22 July 1999.

His wisdom on advertising and general business acumen is well known.

David Ogilvy’s best business advice:

1. Remember that Abraham Lincoln spoke of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He left out the pursuit of profit.

2. Remember the old Scottish motto: “Be happy while you’re living, for you are a long time dead.”

3. If you have to reduce your company’s payroll, Continue reading…

Posted in Advertising, Uncategorized

Australian advertisers and their agencies are too fixated on research and play too safe

Posted by on at 7:02pm

In a recent article on B&T on-line, Jacques Burger, the South African managing director of The Campaign Palace in Sydney and national CEO argues that “People go with their gut because they like it. Australia is too safe, its way too safe. Clients are too safe. I think it has become fixated on research in a bad way.”

In Australia for just over 10 months, he views the local advertising scene as “too safe”.

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Posted in Advertising, Imagination, Marketing Strategy

Creating social marketing that engages and empowers

Posted by on at 5:44pm

Square Holes MD, Jason Dunstone, recently spoke at the Australian Marketing Institute’s seminar on ‘Creating social marketing that engages and empowers.’

He was joined by Clemenger BBDO Adelaide’s John McLaren as they discussed how advertising can be used to change behaviours and attitudes towards social problems and the research that drives it.

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Posted in Advertising, Insight, Research