Are Friends Electric?

After loads of bad publicity for energy companies pushing big price increases (and then advertising "fix prices now!") the instant their costs go up; I was worried to get a letter from my energy supplier, Atlantic (part of Scottish and Southern).

What I got was just great. A direct mail booklet, but one full of info on their green targets, and featuring nice messages about contacting them if you are concerned for an elderly person who cannot afford to pay for heating.

Normally this wouldn't be that impressive, but at a time when every other energy company is looking battered this puts them in such a positive light.

Image from www.moonraker.com.au

Wooo!

Ahem. Wooooo!
Just got my first planning job offer!

I won't go into details just yet, I still have a second interview at another place this week; and it would be silly to make a decision without seeing both.

But i'm very happy at the news!

What the Fivehundred?

Just seen the new Fiat tagline on their ads for the 500.

"You are, We car"

I am struggling to decide if this is brilliant or rubbish... any thoughts?

Today's Lesson

Don't act saucy parts in adverts unless you are certain a career in schooling is not for you!

Sweet

A Softer World

300!

No not a cry for battle, but a realisation that I have now reached 300 posts!

On that note, some questions for this week:

Are there any Halifax employees left that are yet to 'star' in their ads?
Is the cameo appearance of Howard Brown in his contract?
Is it ironic that my keyring from a well loved design agency broke three days before I had an interview there?
Where was Sacrum??

Busy Start...

Quiet blogging so far in 2008, my apologies, I have two interviews next week and other family stuff to sort out!

My Year

Well, 2007 sure was crazy.

• Attended the Future Marketing Summit as the only official blogger
• Got to the final 8 in recruitment for a great ad agency
• Presented at Interesting 07
• Published in Creative Review
• Appeared in Campaign three times
• Appeared in the D+ad annual
• Interviewed for BBC News Online ad review of the year
• Met plenty of intelligent people, almost all of whom were good company!

2008: This year I shall be in the industry. It would be insulting of the brilliant people who say I deserve it were I not to...

Review of the Year - Part 4

Last part of the ad year from me, to be followed only by my personal account of 2007...


Best International Ads

If you'll excuse the metaphor, it was a breath of fresh air.




At last, something that captures our human relationship with technology.

Review of the Year - Part 3

2007 has been a good year for traditional advertising. The anticipated collapse never happened, digital advertising appeared to be suffering from a mild hangover, and despite a flurry of brands with 'big ads', and too many 'chain reaction' ads; it wasn't half bad.

But, there is always rubbish:

Disappointment of the Year

After a decent build up campaign, and a huge huge budget, I was expecting something more than a giant domino themed version of Cog. It's a decent watch, but lacks the Guiness charm, and feels like a weak attempt at aping W+K; rather ironically, the creatives moved to W+K almost immediately after this ad launched...



The "What Were They Thinking" Award for Bandwagon Jumping

Oh. Dear. Someone read about UGC and appeared to miss the bit about quality control.

[sourcing ad... ]


Worst Ads of 2007

Still badly written. Still badly acted. Still failing to get a good message about the company across. Had a great discussion about this campaign with Graham at Cheetham Bell JWT ; might talk about that soon.



Yes, we can see what they were going for, but they just got it very wrong. We do not like, empathise or positively associate with Mickey at all.



Oh the stereotyping, woe the lacklustre use of a decent tag.