In the Observer’s Book of Books they outline Christopher Booker’s Seven basic plots found in storytelling. Interesting way of thinking about the theme to a creative brief, the story behind your presentation or even the brand narrative if you believe in such things. In a world where being interesting is just as essential as being…

They’ve trusted me with the planning bit of staff inductions. It wouldn’t be fair to work to share it all, but I start with  this clip from Fry and Laurie to illustrate expectations of planners for many…a little odd, a little detached, totally preocuppied with their own clever little models and pet theories. Thankfully this…

The APG Training Network was great exprience a few weeks back. Half of that was learning, half was peering at other agencies and meeting other planners. That said, the coursework was tough. You put in big groups and if you ask six planners the same question, you’ll get seven answers. It took ages to get…

I’ve always liked the story if how Andre Agassi learned to play tennis. Basically, his Dad made him hit the ball as hard as he could; Mike Agassi reasoned that eventually his son would learn to get the ball in. He did of course, few players have ever hit the ball so hard and so…

Rob’s new challenge is here. It’s a goodun.

I mentioned awhile back that I’m working on a fashion/beauty brand now. I also alluded to a certain amount of irony that I’m hairless, the complete polar opposite the beautiful and know nothing about fashion. That wasn’t entirely true. I’m a bald, odd looking fellow it’s true, but a terrible false modesty habit makes the…

Work is looking for new planning talent. Whoever you might be, whatever you might be doing right now, if you want to work on some great brands, like the idea of living in Manchester, a proper planing department with people like you to spark off ….and don’t mind the thought of working in the same…

Work is looking for new planning talent. Whoever you might be, whatever you might be doing right now right now, if you want to work on some great brands, like the idea of living in Manchester, a proper planing department with people like you to spark off ….and don’t mind the thought of working in…

This is joyous. A snatched three hours have appeared out of nowhere. Time to catch up with some work. But first, some thinking out loud. And this IS work by way. A quick mental making sense of what I’ve just experienced… I’ve been to a client sales conference. DON’T GO! This isn’t dull. Not this…