The agency business is a fertile place for creative people. That's the dream. For the dream to be a reality, the agencies where creative people work must be viable businesses. Once upon a time, agencies added 15% to their clients' media buys and called it good, but those days are long gone. Today, it's all about billing for time. There are innovators seeking better revenue models, but right now, 9.9 of every 10 …
We Can Eliminate Bad Advertising, But It Will Cost Many People Their Jobs
Clients the world over are preparing to throw more money at their communications problems. According to 1,000 marketing chiefs surveyed in 10 countries by the Dentsu Aegis Network, fifty-four percent expect to spend more on digital platforms in the next two to three years. It's hard to say if this is good news or not. Many of their expenditures will most likely be wasted on bad planning and even worse …
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Bogusky Is Back
Big news from Boulder this week. Alex Bogusky, one of the original founders of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, has rejoined the agency as Co-Founder, Chief Creative Engineer. Finally got to meet one of my all-time ad heros, Linus Karlsson. The timing sucks but we still had great fun. pic.twitter.com/jR2dhwJvYZ— Alex Bogusky (@bogusky) August 3, 2018 According to an agency spokesperson, “As part of the recent …
The Adpulp Interview with Copywriters Jim Mitchem and Jason Fox
Copywriters are Sherpas. Their service to brands is both a bold adventure and a grueling test of endurance. There's compensation, but all glory goes to the client (who would never see such elevated heights without a dedicated support team). Jim Mitchem and Jason Fox are copywriters who have been to the mountaintop and back. Both men have distinct voices and unique points of view, along with portfolios full of …
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Data Without Persuasion Is Like A Naked Biscuit—All Potential
People with screens are blasted by the advertising firehouse all day, every day. Thus, people with screens are conditioned to resist advertising. For buyers of advertising, and would be buyers, this built-in resistance must be overcome. The idea that advertising is annoying, a waste of money, or worse, needs to be put aside and the focus shifted to the long-term impact brand communications will have on the company’s …
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When Will Ad People Stop Talking Shit And Start Offering Thanks and Praises?
Did you know that there are more than thirteen thousand advertising agencies in the United States? These agencies employ 189,000 hard-working people working people in the U.S. today. In total, U.S. ad agencies are expected to generate over $45 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2020, a $5.5 billion dollar increase over 2015. Clearly, the ad biz is far from imminent death. Paul Caiozzo, founder and …
Perpetual Reinvention and Forward Movement—Cabell Harris & Co. Are WORKin On It
Cabell Harris and his agency, WORK Labs in Richmond, Virginia are industry famous. Deservedly so. Now in its 25th year of, WORK is a design-forward, five-person shop that operates from the ground floor of the Harris home. According to Richmond Biz Sense this is about to change. Harris said he is looking into possibly locating his company in a joint venture with some of his clients. In related news, WORK …
Advertising Agencies Have A Future, Maybe Even A Bright and Prosperous Future
Predicting the future of advertising is a vacuous exercise, but one that the business press consistently puts forward because people are concerned about the jobs they have today, and the jobs they may or may not have tomorrow. There's no question that the agency business fighting through a period of radical change to the business model. Last year, I interviewed Joe Olsen, CEO of Rova. He said, “Agencies …
