I'd like to publicly thank John Gross, Account Director at HMH/Portland for meeting with me on Sunday. HMH has a great tagline: "preconceptions kill great ideas." John also told me a story that revealed how he, and the people at HMH, value honesty and doing what's right. That's a unique attribute in this business. I also want to thank freelance copywriter, Todd Davidson, for his time yesterday, his advice and the …
Just Do It Yourself
Barbarian Group strategist, Noah Brier, shares with Ad Age readers a behind the scenes look at the launch of his Brand Tags site. Here's one of the things he says that makes a lot of sense: Teach yourself some code: I recently read an article that suggested knowledge of code would be the literacy of the 21st century. I agree. Being able to get a computer to do what you want it to is an amazing strength. All of a …
Old Man Shakes Some Salt
One Size Fits One blogger, Anjali Ramachandran, spoke to AdScam's George Parker and kept from laughing long enough to write some of it down. Here are the parts I like best: Q. Given that you've spent over 30 years in ad land, do you think the BDA's have any hidden nuggets of gold up their sleeves at all? In other words, are there any lessons to be learnt from them? A. The number one lesson is don’t sell yourself to …
GS+P Gets Props from Lee
Adweek is running a "special advertising section" tribute to Goodby Silverstein & Partners on the agency's 25th anniversary. One of the segments includes a piece by Lee Clow. Here's a slice of what he says: Most people know and admire the famous “Got milk?” campaign. Funny, smart, strategically brilliant. But I still remember the Mill Valley Film Festival, a documentary-style conversation with Mill Valley residents …
Now In Pacifica
AdPulp started in our NW Chicago apartment nearly four years ago. Soon thereafter, BFG Communications invited me to move to Hilton Head Island to work on Diageo's liquor brands and Camel. I'm still with BFG, but Darby and I have relocated to Portland, Oregon. I snapped the above photo of Crater Lake with my iPhone on Thursday. If there are any Portland area writers, designers or ad people reading this, I'd love to …
Who Saw This Coming?
It appears Alex Bogusky and Chuck Porter have written a diet book that argues for the use of a 9-inch plate at every meal, which can decrease one's caloric intake by 30 to 35 percent. Sounds like a good idea, but what if one stacks said 9-inch plate a mile high with starches and other fattening foods? …
It’s Mostly Garbage
I could give you a dozen or more reasons why advertising sucks, but there's no need. There's no need because there's an entire blog dedicated to the topic. "RestrictionsApply" at Why Advertising Sucks spells it out pretty nicely. I blame my dad for making me realize the truth. He once asked me the following: “How is it that you, as an advertising professional, spend so much time, energy, sleepless nights, lost …
Koepke & Jensen
Gary Koepke and Lance Jensen of Modernista got their pictures in the paper. USA Today also helps the nation get to know these creative characters a bit better. About Lance Jensen Age: 45. Big-deal job prior to founding Modernista: Executive vice president, group creative director, Arnold Worldwide (Volkswagen's "Drivers Wanted" campaign). Favorite downtime activity: "We don't have much downtime." Favorite vacation …
