About David Burn
David Burn is the co-founder, editor, and publisher of Adpulp.com. David joined the ad agency business in 1997 as a copywriter and then worked for seven agencies in five states prior to launching Bonehook in 2010. Today, David is a writer, brand strategist, and leader of creative teams in Austin, TX.
What’s it say at the very bottom there? – can’t read it.
Looks like it says, “got a better idea about how we do our work?” or something to that extent.
I’m not believing for a second that Leo Burnett is making their creatives wear dress shirts.
got a better idea about how we do our work? email: betteridea@leoburnett.com
Yes, let’s hope it’s just part of an internal campaign designed to stir people up and get them to join a larger conversation about keeping things fresh at work. Otherwise, one can only imagine the logic behind it. “Guys, billings are down, morale is at an all-time low and the Chicago ad community is a shadow of its former self. There ‘s only one thing to do. Institute a business-casual dress code.” Suits and ties, maybe. At least that would make a statement. But business-casual? Note to Leo Burnett Management: More Dockers and Rockports never solved anything.
Oh, lord, no.
I completely agree with fatc above…
As someone said about Leo awhile ago, they need to quit reaching for the stars and use those hands to pull their head out of their ass.
This was a joke. Designed to call attention to the “betteridea” email address at the bottom.
In that sense, it was one of the most effective ads I’ve ever seen, because people around here were flipping their chickens until the joke was revealed.
sure it was a joke. suuuuure.
One person’s “effective” is another’s annoying, I guess. Like yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater, right? Whoah. You sure put one over on us. Yesiree. Personally, the whole “nah-nah, made you look” trend in advertising can’t end too soon for me. It’s OK in small doses, but lately it feels as tired as a mockumentary.
it would be funny if it were from wieden and kennedy. comedy needs conflict.
Well, there appears to be plenty of conflict at Burnett. And some of it inspires comedic results. But veedub is correct that this ad cannot be categorized as comedy. It seems like the joke backfired, at least in terms of generating negative feelings for the agencies involved. Burnett needs to focus on producing ads that get attention for the right reasons.
AdAge buys the “it’s just a joke” line…
Leo Burnett Totally PWNS Bloggers
Leo should be more worried that everyone found it completely believable they would enforce an arbitrary dress code to “encourage success.”
As veedub said above, people would have gotten the joke had it come from a better agency.