Why doesn't Wieden + Kennedy/Portland spawn more startup agencies—something that Goodby Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco has successfully done for years? As someone who knows the Portland market, lack of client opportunities is the most obvious answer. FYI, there are just two big fish in the Portland market—Intel and Nike. Adidas America is also a cherry account. Former W+K creative director, Mark …
Will The Quants’ Conquest of Adland Be Short Lived?
In marketing circles, propeller heads rule the day, or so some say. They rule because they can quantify their work, parse the data, draw charts, and speak MBA-to-MBA. On the other side of the conference table, you have the creative firm and their bold ideas. The problem is bold ideas from the agency don't exactly instill confidence, in fact, they often do the opposite. Bold ideas are seen as risky, whereas …
Continue Reading about Will The Quants’ Conquest of Adland Be Short Lived? →
It’s Beautiful, Something of the Moon Is In the Glass
Customer testimony is crucial for brand managers to get a better understanding of their real audience. Likewise, word of mouth is the bread of life for a brand like Laphroaig. It's not a lager, it's Scotch whisky. Watch as these friends try Laphroaig for the first time. https://youtu.be/2qlAQg4aY3c If Laphroaig was a scared and sterile little brand, instead of a bold whisky from the early 19th century, …
Continue Reading about It’s Beautiful, Something of the Moon Is In the Glass →
Behind Every Southwest Seat Is A Person With A Story
When dealing with airlines, customers too often feel like numbers, not people. Southwest and their time trusted partner, Austin agency GSD&M, take that idea and turn it on its head in this commercial, where the customers are the stars of the show. https://youtu.be/ahaOB_HFEO0 The spot also makes an incredible point—we connect with people's stories, and by extension brand stories. It's not their name or …
Continue Reading about Behind Every Southwest Seat Is A Person With A Story →
Make This Life Free And Beautiful With A Vacation to Jackson Hole
"We have lost our way. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want." -Charlie Chaplin Minneapolis agency, Colle McVoy, tapped one of film history’s most famous speeches (from Charlie Chaplin’s 1940 film The Great Dictator) to help win the hearts and minds of the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board. But will the commercial appeal to skiers and other travellers? Let's …
Continue Reading about Make This Life Free And Beautiful With A Vacation to Jackson Hole →
Define Drivers: Keys To A New Caddy; A Bespoke Chocolate Egg; Dinner at La Banane
Cadillac Canada has partnered with renowned Toronto chocolate maker Brandon Olsen on a direct mail campaign that puts a decadent twist on the standard test drive invitation. Working with its lead agency Red Lion, the automaker tucked away keys to new Cadillac CT6s inside the hugely popular “Ziggy Stardust Disco Egg” from Olsen’s trendy Toronto restaurant, La Banane. https://youtu.be/TRrBQc0e7R8 Cadillac …
Sunday Showdown: Don Trump Versus The NFL
Today is an historic day in the National Football League. In addition to today's slate of games, there's a media game being played by Don Trump. It's another game he can never win. On Friday, the President of the United States—in an effort to stir up more racial and class hatred—called NFL players who take a knee during the National Anthem "sons of bitches". The NFL's owners, coaches, players, player's …
Continue Reading about Sunday Showdown: Don Trump Versus The NFL →
From Shiner Bock To A Good Story
Austin, Texas and outlaws go together like Waylon and Willie. Also, like South By and crowds. Or BBQ and mouths. But I digress... Let's look at some new beer commercials... https://youtu.be/BKPNBDcoLDs https://youtu.be/Hob4cmuPKfU The old-timey quality of these spots is different enough to be interesting. What I really like is the copy. Back in the '70s there were people in Austin who liked music and …
