Oh nuts...

The new Snickers ad has been banned for being offensive (supposedly) to gay people. Sure I understand where its coming from, the dialogue has a couple of lines that might be construed as dodgy. Yet at no point is there an actual reference to sexuality, people are just reading far too much into things.

But there are countless other ads that have the exact same 'real man' message, McCoys crisps for just one example; and no one seems to care about them. So what is it that makes ad worse?

Well it isn't the production, the over the top destruction and comic gun firing are as good as the first ad; and the concept of trying to speedwalk away from danger is funny.

And the best irony of all, this ad is by the same agency that did the Heinz ad that was banned featuring two guys kissing.

Still they get worse

Ive not watched much tv recently (thank Guitar Hero 2 and Paper Mario!), but I do hear the radio at work.

And oh dear.

Debt management/iva ads havent got much better have they.

A new low is W3 Debt Solutions, who compare putting a plaster on a cut to getting debt help. Except in that patronising, nagging, know it all tone that seems to swamp these ads.

Are there no debt companies that understand how to make a decent ad? Just because you are talking to people with money problems doesnt make them stupid or ignorant.

Rats...

As some of you aware, I didnt get the job I was going for in London...

Still, I don't believe I did badly. I was in the last nine at an agency "everyone wants to be at" for an account management job (when i've been mainly aiming for planning).

Im waiting for feedback which should be useful.

It seemed a nice place, not radical in thinking; but certainly way ahead of many agencies.

It must be said though, I feel no shame in losing out to some of the clever and funny people they were interviewing as well.

In time friends...in time...

Leveraging the Proactive Mindset to Help the Bottom Line

ARGH! What is it about certain business people and a complete failure to understand the English language? Cynic Rob posted on this, and it really needs further discussion.

So many businesses send communications that are full of management buzzwords, jargon and completebullshit. It's like Gus Hedges is running corporate communications...

99% of Business to Business contacts I see are PURE bullshit. Its like many businesses seem to think that other businesses only appreciate selling on an absolute blatant hard-sell level.

A perfect example is investment ads. They always look and sounds ibloodydentical (not a new apple product..).

Jeez. Business people are just like normal people but much harder worked. The very LAST thing they want is to use a dictionary to translate your shitty cold-call email for a service they probably dont need or are already getting for less money than you charge (because all your jargon filled emails make your company think it is better than anybody else).

I write for over 15,000 small business people and they always go for the simply written, easy to digest things.

Make it simple and they spend more time thinking about whether they need your product instead of spending time trying to understand your wording.

Etc. (etc)

1. I think I have Laryngitis... my girlfriend had it and im pretty sure ive caught it off her! Luckily I only felt ill the day after my interview.

2. Had an interview this week in London for an Account management role. Hoping to hear back soon. I also got (sort of) offered a 6 month job doing 'digital' project management at a small (but growing) agency. Lots to think about, especially as I still have people from several agencies (and one brand) to have "chats" with next time im in London.

3. The next My Brain Hurts - Northern Planning Summit is in the process of being organised. I shall keep you all updated. After the appearance of many of Love last time, its going to be a tough one to beat!