Auto dealers are a tough crowd. Which is why this campaign (which I worked on) was especially fun to make. We don't pitch creative ideas to marketing directors, or CMOs. Just the Board of Directors at the Northwest Ford Dealers Advertising Association. It's what they call "Tier 2 Automotive" — and the focus is on selling vehicles, not beauty shots. So when there's an opportunity to have some fun, it's a big …
New Film Asks the Right Questions about the Agency Business
The current and future state of the ad agency business is the subject of a new documentary film from Togetherr, Kill your Darlings. The film is narrated by Anouk Jans, a Creative Director from Germany who is looking for answers, positive change, and a brighter future for herself and everyone that loves the business of creativity. Her quest leads her to seek meetings with industry luminaries like Anselmo Ramos, Greg …
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War in Ukraine Leads Western Firms to Close the Door on Russia
Horrible news and painful images are pouring out of Ukraine every day now, as the European country of more than 40M people struggles to survive and repel Russia's lethal invasion. The images and news from inside Russia are also disturbing as the Kremlin is viciously attacking anti-war protestors, closing media outlets, and tightening its grip before it loses its grip completely. Everyone loses in war. Here's …
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Agency Habitat in Fort Worth, Texas Is Making Bold Moves
Agency Habitat, a content-focused, full-service advertising agency will celebrate the grand opening of its new home by inviting Dallas-Fort Worth’s creative community to explore the company’s headquarters at an open house next week. The event will feature complimentary food and drinks from Fort Brewery, as well as music by DJ Sober. DFW creators, professionals, the curious, and their friends and families are invited …
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CPB Falls On Hard Times, Iconic Agency Down to Just 40 Employees
The ad agency business is a fickle beast. A rollercoaster of highs and lows. It's also one of the few places that creative mavericks and outcasts can make a name for themselves and millions of dollars too. Alex Bogusky, for example. He rode his skateboard into the Miami offices of Crispin Porter and soon ascended to creative director at the then regional shop. Bogusky went on to rule the ad world and his agency with …
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Media and Marketing Workers Enlist the Help of Labor Unions
Do unions and does unionization stand a chance of being adopted in the world of advertising, marketing, and media companies? "Unlikely," is my instant gut-level response. But before the idea is rejected outright by me or by you, let's spend a few minutes imagining a future where employees have much stronger footing and greater standing in their thought-worker-led workplaces. Restless Bodies, Active Minds Ernie …
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There Is No Ad Industry ‘War For Talent’ And There Never Has Been
I admit I’m a sucker for Digiday’s “The Confessions” series. When I started writing my columns for Talent Zoo back in 2002, I did it anonymously because I feared repercussions. So I get that there are those in power who can’t talk freely. Like this “holding company agency exec” who complains about the lack of staffing at his agency and the workload backlog it’s causing. It’s hard to feel sorry for this guy. …
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When You Fail to Reward Talent and You Run from Conflict, You Lose
Why are advertising agencies having a hard time finding talented people to work for them? Once upon a time, ad agencies had people beating down their doors. Many of the industry-famous shops still do. Yet, according to Campaign US, the talent crunch is pushing agencies to lean on staffing and recruitment firms and, in some cases, to cut back on the amount of work they take on. Digiday recently asked an anonymous …
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Mekanism’s Unique Blend of “Soul + Science” Helps It Win New Business
How does an agency win so much new business, its hair catches on fire? For decades, the answer has been to win a truckload of trophies at One Show and Cannes. But that answer has worn thin. Today, savvy clients are looking for the creative firepower that's capable of gathering a crowd and a team of data scientists to help explain and improve the ongoing investment. Mekanism and its new performance offering dubbed …
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Havas Studios Is A New Kind of Content Producer for Brands
Editor's Note: The following article was written and kindly provided by Mark Tungate of Epica Press Club. Havas Group may have just cracked the production challenge of the multi-platform digital era. In partnership with Wellcom Worldwide, the holding company has created a world-spanning creative production network called Havas Studios. The operation is headed by Paul Ward, formerly group chief operations …
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Indie Agencies with Strong Strategic Offerings Win, and Win Again
For far too many years, ad people have been degraded, muscled by the data freaks, and minimized by consultants and in-house agencies. The Adverati went from being the brains of the marketing operation to the hands. And it cost the industry dearly. Therefore, I am glad to see this article on Campaign US that highlights the need for and value of strategic thinking that builds businesses. Two-thirds (64%) of indie …
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Respect The People Who Make the Ads That Make Clients Rich
Agencies are mirrors and the people who work in them often learn to 'mirror' the client's language, preferences, and standard modes of conduct. It is natural and sometimes good that bonds are made with members of the client team by "speaking" their same language. It's not always good, of course. When ad people mirror a client's toxic behaviors, all sorts of problems begin to manifest back at the …
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