Over at the BNET Advertising Blog, Jim Edwards takes a very good look at the recent Leo Burnett/U.S. Army overbilling scandal and others like it: Perhaps the most worrying part for employees and clients of Burnett, however, is the failure of leadership. When ex-CFO Eric Martinez objected to Burnett keeping a secret account filled with Army overcharges, ex-CEO Linda Wolf fired him. Note to management: If you have to …
Agencies In Strange Places: 16th in a Series
An agency that refers to its staff as "Hookers" is one to be reckoned with, in my book. Of course, the shop--located in the port city of Charleston, SC--refers to itself as HOOK USA, but still. Here's their reason for being: Our reason for being is to help businesses do business better. Simple as that. One business HOOK USA is "helping do business better" is Rehava, a Charleston real estate brokerage. The Hookers …
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What W+K Sounds Like
I started an internet radio station at The Integer Group in 2002. It was called KTIG and featured playlists from about a dozen associates in the Denver office. After I left the agency, the project withered away. The reasons we made the effort in the first place: a) to create a working model for our client, Coors Brewing Company b) to provide Integer staff with an outlet for expression c) to generate PR and WOM for …
Reality Creeps Into Car Ads
"If in the next year, you lose your income, we'll let you return it." That's the gist of this Hyundai spot: As you can see by the beginning of this clip, Goodby Silverstein & Partners produced the spot, as Hyundai's AOR. But I'm very curious as to who had the idea of "give 'em a chance to return the car" in the first place. It sounds like a great marketing idea. And while I'm sure there are a whole slew of …
GM Is Fighting For Its Life. Surprised?
I'm seeing a lot of spots like these during bowl games. It's a no-nonsense approach to moving the metal. Well, give 'em points for trying--along with billions in loan money. …
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It Takes Brains
Brains on Fire has a new website and it's well worth your click. Not only is the design of the moment, the copy sings. Here's how they describe themselves: We are a tribe of true believers... Protagonists. Pirates. Optimists. Disco-junkies. Brutally honest superheroes. And if the walls come tumbling down tomorrow, no worries. We've still got this company we call Brains on Fire. Because we've still got our people. …
Euro RSCG Uncorks Some Year-End Bubbly
Under the guidance of chief executive David Jones, Euro RSCG has been kicking ass and taking names. According to The Wall Street Journal: Mr. Jones, who built up Euro RSCG in part by recruiting senior executives from rivals JWT, TBWA Worldwide and BBDO Worldwide, says he plans to continue hiring during the downturn. "We are going to steal some of the best people out there," he says. Damn, that's a bold declaration, …
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Over-The-Rhine And Under The Radar
Few people in the ad biz really think of Cincinnati as an marketing hub, but it is. The hometown of Procter & Gamble is known for its overall conservatism, but it has spawned a number of fun and funky advertising, branding and design shops such as The Creative Department. To celebrate this history, a new museum is being created. The Business Courier of Cincinnati has more: Digital marketing guru Pete Blackshaw wants …
