and finally...

I have the bloody internet at home!

Nearly two months of Sky's shocking technical support, and now I have a working connection. Now it's a great value package, shame the support isnt as good as the rest of the package.

More regular updates are coming- starting...

Sony Sony Sony

Why are you killing the Playstation 3?
Why are you completely screwing over the customer for short term cost cutting because you raised costs so much to try and win the DVD format battle?

I know this isnt an ad comment, but it just completely tarnishes the whole image of Sony; at a time they REALLY need to improve it.

All the good work done by agencies to create good ads is being blown to pieces by a constant stream of stupid moves and bad PR.

Someone at the top of Sony has to start looking into what is going on at SCEJ (Sony Computer Entertainment). What was saving the brand looks like it could end up destroying it; and Sony has so much history and still so much potential... lets hope they dont let it.

Hey, Generation X. Zap those Zits!

Can someone please explain to me why an early 90s American ad for Clearasil is now infesting the airwaves of every music channel in the uk?

With very dated drawing, stupidly dated look (the kids hair is a relic from that time when grunge rules America), overtly american dialogue, and poor NTSC to PAL (it appears) making the entire thing look like a second hand VHS copy...why?!

Is it that hard to make an advert that they have to start replaying something from 18 years ago? Its not like the ad is even that good. It flicks and jumps through the points in half a nanosecond.

I mean seriously, can someone from their agency please explain why this is back on the air? Is it that effective, I honestly can't believe it would be...

Now. Im off to listen to the Smashing Pumpkins and watch the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

The Future of Marketing

With the Future Marketing Summit coming up, I thought it would be interesting to see what sorts of topics you think would be worth discussing and talking about for advertising, design and marketing.

I know some very clever people read this blog, so i'd love to hear your suggestions for talking points!

Have we Reached the Edge of the World?

Having just started reading "The World is Flat" (now i'm settled in the new house I actually have time to read the books i've had for ages!), it was very interesting to see how India and the growing countries have taken call centres and other such jobs, leading the world to in essence become a flatter place.

However, its very clear that many British consumers arent happy with having their calls routed to India. Whilst there are far too many bigots in this country, I do believe that this has nothing to do with race; my personal experiences of Indian call centres are of friendly helpful people who have no power or access to actually do anything with your enquiries.

In the news today they mention several big firms who are bringing call centres back to the UK as leaving them abroad is damaging their reputation and brand image. Natwest are one who make a big deal out of having UK call centres.

So, the question is. If the technology has helped make the world flat, will quality of service issues mean that brands are starting to fall of the edge..?

Sausages!

Help us save the mighty sausage from defeat at the hands of streaky american bacon!

We need your help, please make your votes count...

Save our Sausages!

Various Pits and Bieces

Price Promises - Barclays ad for insurance on the radio states "If we are more expensive we'll give you back up to £100 pounds." Have they not realised that this simply says "We are potentially more than £100 dearer than other providers?

Valentines Day - Why do all music retailers assume that people enjoy listening to shit on valentines day? Its worse than the "Greatest Mum" compilations on Mothers Day. People may be in love, but that doesnt mean they suddenly start to enjoy Westlife's blander than boiled rice and water genre of sickly uninspiring pap.

Sky Broadband - I urge you all never ever ever to sign up with Sky broadband. Ive been waiting more than four weeks for them to sort my connection problems out, with no luck yet. I hope they are going to redeem themselves but right now I wouldnt even risk your bargepole on them.

122 - Is this really my One hundred and Twenty Second post? Thank you so much to everyone who continues to read this. I might ad (haha) that once my connection is fixed (and im not forced to update this on my lunch break or at my parents house) I will be adding lots of new names to my list of blogs I read.

This Apple is a bit Sour

Im frankly bemused by the recent announcement by Steve Jobs of Apple that he would be happy to remove DRM restrictions from iTunes if the record labels would let him. He says it would be better for consumers...

Sorry Steve, thats bullshit.

This DRM (Fairplay as its called on iTunes) is what prevents people from using their iTunes songs on anything other than your iPods. And that has NOTHING to do with the record companies. Have you ever made any attempt to even allow other MP3 player manufacturers to licence it so consumers can use iTunes tracks elsewhere? (As the record companies quite rightly pointed out today) Nope. Quite the opposite.

When I buy a new MP3 player I am forced to buy Apple or lose every song ive ever bought from iTunes. Not only that but I have no way of copying that track i've legally bought to a normal MP3 so I can play it on a personal MP3 player.

Steve, stop posturing for credibility. You are fast becoming worse than Microsoft. DRM is absolutely unfair on consumers, and I for one am bloody fed up of it.

This is Bacon no Sause Whatsoever...

Over the past few muttons, the advertising world has been steaken over by a crazy sause of meat obseasoning.

Pepperami have been voting like mad cows for their flavourite tripes of meat, and I've been supporting Sausages all the way.

We've smoked UK bacon, slaughtered lamb, and now we are up against US bacon; which isnt even as good as UK bacon! However, we expect lots of Americans to get voting, so its time to mobilise the troops as they say.

Lets not foiegrass that Sausages (in turkey/beef/chicken/)can be enjoyed by both Muslims and (in quorn/veg form)Vegetarians, both of whom are totally excluded from eating Bacon. So if you are vegetarian or even vegan, there is only one way to vote!

Just to prove im serious, im using up my lunch break to post this...

Get ready to vote. Bangers people!