The Year in ‘Pulp: Twenty Twenty

Disruption is an opening. It’s also a closure. This was true for many people and many creative companies this year, as success stories ran parallel to the stories of business failure and industry-wide pessimism.

Here on Adpulp.com, we put in much time and effort and saw positive results. We introduced the Emerging Voices series to help find, pay, and elevate new writers on the Marcom beat. We published four new writers and featured the work of an emerging designer (who made us new logos, a new Rate Sheet, and more).

Emerging Voices also drew support from notable players. The series is generously supported by Looney Advertising in Montclair, NJ. We also started (and have since closed) a Patreon page that brought support from major donors.

Much gratitude to all our supporters.

Ad Chatter

2020 was also the Year of the Podcast. Podcasts were launched during COVID-19 at a rate heretofore unseen. My colleague Dan Goldgeier and I jumped on the homemade talk show bandwagon too.

A dozen episodes in, Ad Chatter, is still developing traction. In the meantime, we’re also gaining listeners and momentum. We keep the shows short and punchy. Give us a listen.

What @CommArts Pointed People to:

This year, my writing continued to be showcased by @CommArts on Twitter. That’s a win, and win again, and I am grateful for the attention.

.@davidburn on why there is a future for agencies that are brave. https://t.co/IydF4qUN0P pic.twitter.com/vzPLU66ydz

— Communication Arts (@CommArts) August 27, 2020

These are the pieces that CA chose to shine their bright light on:

• Productivity Is Highly Over-Rated, Particularly In Creative Circles
• David Burn on the necessary insanity of copywriters and the power of gutsy brands (an interview conducted by Todd Anthony)
• I’ll Take ‘Creative Wizardry’ for $800, Alex
• Lee Clow, Ad Legend
• Howard Luck Gossage, Ad Legend
• Leo Burnett, Ad Legend

Writers work hard to earn the reader’s attention. To gain the interest of even one reader is an accomplishment. It is hard to express my depth of gratitude for CA’s consistent public support.

Adpulp Stories That I Found Particularly Interesting:

1. The Center of Gravity Has Shifted
2. You Won’t See This in the Trades: Rodrigo Maycotte Admires Stan Richards
3. Ad Chatter with Special Guest, David Blain, President of Saxton Horne in Salt Lake City
4. Find A Mentor, Forge A Path: How People In Trades and Guilds Transfer Knowledge
5. Social Media Platforms Make Mountains of Money On the Back of Someone Else’s I.P.
6. Meet Li Ziqi, A Bohemian Chic Capitalist from the Mountains of Sichuan Province
7. Crispin Porter Bogusky To Depart Boulder Warehouse for Posh LoDo Digs

Same As It Ever Was—Stellar Creative Stirs Interest and Drives Purchase

2020 has been a difficult year for many people, including people who work in advertising. Many agencies lost accounts and consequently, many people lost their jobs. Even with these stiff headwinds, the industry’s best creative outputs are as good as anything I’ve seen in years.

Here’s one you may have missed this year:

“Got the cow kids singin’ for a better world…”