I’ve no idea how much has been spent on what we used to call corporate public relations over the last decade but it must run into many billions of whatever currency you choose. Since PR firms had the bright wheeze ...
Read More »‘Lifesaver’ hard man Vinnie Jones returns for British Heart Foundation
Talking of advertising agencies being useful (which we were earlier) Grey London’s campaign for the British Heart Foundation is back amid claims that it’s saved 28 lives. The campaign features ‘hard man’ Vinnie Jones who resuscitates heart falure victims to ...
Read More »McCann: out of the frying pan, into the fire
Harris Diamond – who’s he? The new chairman and chief executive of McCann Worldgroup, replacing Nick Brien as of last night – that’s who. Brien’s position has long since looked untenable – to all, that is, except senior Interpublic management. ...
Read More »Now founder and creative director John Townshend picks his Desert Island Ads
John Townshend is one of the founders and the creative director of new UK agency Now. He started his career at Ogilvy and then co-founded Rapier which began as a direct marketing agency and became one of the biggest integrated ...
Read More »Waitrose charity Xmas ad is a risk – but other UK retailers take a bigger one with their insular outlook
As the Christmas advertising hits our TV screens it’s interesting to see Waitrose go completely off piste and abandon the competition for the most expensive production. I’ve read some mutterings about whether this is wise or not but one outcome ...
Read More »Hurricane Sandy drowns out Google’s vital Nexus 10 tablet launch
Oh dear, oh dear, “Frankenstorm” has rained on Google’s busy parade. Just as the internet services giant was preparing a slew of product launches – including, it was hoped, a game-changing 10in tablet, the Nexus 10, along comes the perfect ...
Read More »Do effectiveness awards show advertisers how creativity actually works?
The UK IPA Effectiveness Awards, due to be announced late tonight, have value but should be handled with care. The studies make a business case for advertising. The Gunn Report sets out to establish a link between business success and ...
Read More »How can you create ads as good as John Webster’s? Think of them as virals..
At BMP’s party to celebrate the work of John Webster (left) I noticed something he had once written, the gist of which was that in Rembrandt’s time very few people saw his work, whereas millions will see your ad, so ...
Read More »Do new Omnicom figures show that the big marcoms companies boomlet is running out of boom?
The big marcoms companies have rather enjoyed the sagging global economy over the past couple of years, managing to increase revenue and earnings by rather more than most other sectors, apart from freaky performances like Apple’s (Apple is almost a ...
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