I get to see this and you don’t. So there.
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Craig Elston from Integer, part of my network, runs this blog. Looks like essential fodder for anyone who wants to know what happens when people go shopping.
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Paul wants to work where I do (sensible chap).
He’fully aware that it takes a lot to gain the attention of busy creative directors. This was found outside our office this morning….
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I enjoyed seeing the the Rose Hilton Exhibition at Tate St Ives last week.
The Beauty of Ordinary Things shows a style I like that resides somewhere between abstract and a figurative, but what I really like is the way she brings the things that we everyday back to our full attention, capturing the the brilliance and beauty in everyday life. We gloss over too many perfectly brilliant things that happen to us day in day out – like the sheer joy of a good cup of tea.
That’s sort of why I like missing Mrs Northern when either of us is away. Reminds me how I couldn’t manage without her. Or watching her affect on other people, how they can’t help being affected by her sunny disposition (in sharp contrast to my grumpy one) – I forget how lucky I am to be around her everyday.
I’m devouring Clay Shirky’s ‘Here Come Everybody’ which to gets underneath what’s really happening as a result of our new online social tools. He mentions that internet stuff is becoming like mobiles – we’re forgetting it’s there.
I like the idea of technology only becoming interesting when the technology itself is no longer novel – when it’s so ubiquitous everyone uses it without thinking. That’s what’s happening with online social tools for the young – it’s just how they go about things. Maybe ordinary stuff is only truly great when we forget it’s there, but that’s a shame. That’s how those paintings at the start of this surprisingly rambling post – that started off as quicky – made me feel.
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A couple of weeks ago I was appreciating being surrounded by a great team, but I forgot to mention the fragrant Claire Wilson who was also there that day. She may have been watching, rather than presenting, but despite some questionable web practices we can’t go into, only an idiot wouldn’t mention her;Claire’s brilliant.
You won’t find another account director who looks after their team more or fights more fiercely for the right work. She’s the voice of reason in meetings that have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous (‘is it just me?’ will soon be legendary) and when it’s one of THOSE difficult meetings, you know exactly who you want to be there running the show.
And she likes Darjeeling.
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I was sat enjoying the best cup of tea in the world last week in Mum and Dad’s garden, overlooking the beach. We’d been there for five days and the rigors of the long stretch between Christmas and Easter we’re beginning to wear off. It’s relentlessly cold, dark and wet eventually get a bit much and this year and Christmas is never much of break with the usual relations duties and so forth.
So this annual spring pilgrimage to Cornwall is always welcome, but this year it’s on the back of three months getting used to a new job and adjusting to even earlier mornings and later nights.
The first 100 days in office are now over and the report is in. Like most places these days, there was a three month probation that’s now out of the way. It’s good to know you’re being kept on for sure, and nice to be told you’re doing well. It’s not that surprising to be asked to say what I think a bit more, and good to know.
The biggest challenge for a planner is to be wanted in a room in a first place, so it’s nice that people do. It’s also ironic that holding back a bit while you get a feel for the place and its people makes them value what you say. Jonathan pointed out that this blog has become a little muted of late. Funny how writing your own long tail reflects your frame of mind. Expect a return to more bolshiness.
It’s been nice to be part of a planning department, I’ve always liked being around creatives and suits, but they’re not planners. I’m doing one or two things for the first time, and other bits where I was ‘stirring the soup’ I’m getting the chance to do really well.
On the other hand, being part of a big group means proprietary models and sometime one or two barriers. The trick is thinking around them and them post rationalising for whatever you have to conform to. Anyway, everyone has a process really. Even W&K sticks to its ‘find the voice first’ schtick pretty rigidly (is Fallon’s ‘give it to Juan?).
It’s lovely actually having to hold creatives back and throw in the odd steer. The enthusiasm and commitment is intimidating, from the bottom up – not least my ghd team who work do hard with unbridled passion every day.
So far I’ve:
- Been involved in winning a client of Mcann’s London.
- Written the most exciting brief I’ve ever done.
- Had the Church ban my ad.
- Fainted in a hotel.
- Spilt tea only once.
- Acquired two perfect mugs.
- Taught everyone to warm the pot.
- Briefed a transvestite performance artist.
Mostly, I’ve felt like I was beginning to belong, and like I was moving forward. Learning, and hopefully adding some bits of my own.
Good this.
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It’s the next round of the beverage bracket. Tea is up againts Diet Coke. Since Coke is so fake, new, devoid of true heritage and ritual, it makes sense to simply link to this, which shows how the depth of ritual, heritage and beauty that is my favourite beverage.
The voting booth isn’t up yet and I’m now off on holiday. Go back here and Kaiser will show you where to vote.
See you in a week or so.
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Rob’s new challenge is here. It’s a goodun.
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I’m off to a fairly important meeting this morning. With me will be Dawn, account manager and future CEO of somewhere good (seriously), James, digital strategist and Peter – one of those analysts who can do econometrics and proper numbers. Quite intimidating company when you think about it, all these brilliant people.
Reminds how important it is to surround yourself with great people, people who can do the bits you cannot. Others to make you look good.
But not just the people the client sees. There are all those other people without awhom agencies just could not function.
The studio, accounts and, maybe the true heart of where we work – traffic. It’s bloody hard getting good work out, it takes lots of people, most of whom the person paying the bill doesn’t meet very often. If ever.
I sometimes wonder, in a world of squeezed fees and timesheets for going to the loo, if agencies shouldn’t be a bit more honest about how hard it is to say yes. We tend to be the ultimate yes men, "No problem we say", while burning inside as we frantically wonder how the hell to oull this one off. If you make it look like a doddle, why would someone pay over the odds for it?
If we were honest, good ideas come out of chaos, they rarely happen in a nice linear process. Making them actually come to life takes hard graft, arguments, pulling together and the odd panic attack. It’s not easy and perhaps we should be more honest about this.
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Marketing Week have decided to quote me here. It was nearly what I said.
NORTHERN PLANNER 
