Filed under: Comment
We all live lives with a pressure to conform … whether it is interms of our choice in music, hairstyle, fashion, looks … it gets to us in some way or other.
However when you get older … a time where you are supposedly a little bit wiser … you try and be a bit less obviously influenced by what society is pushing – and focus on what makes you feel good, regardless of outside opinion.
Well, that’s the theory anyway … in practice it doesn’t always work that way, as this wonderful example of ‘mutton-dressed-as-mutton’ [or Salman Rushdie in uber-disguise] demonstrates.
There was a line in one of the first brilliant Adrian Mole books, where he describes old women’s breasts like “semi-deflated balloons” … ironically on this woman that’s exactly what they are!
What with the fatman in budgie-smugglers and the thin woman in eurgh, I think this could be one of the best ad’s for euthanasia going.
Filed under: Advertising [Planning] School On The Web
Russell has made a fatal error and asked if I’d be interested in taking on [for a trial period] the ‘Advertising School On The Web’ thingy.
Joking aside, I actually think what he has done is fantastic and incredibly important … so while I am sure I won’t be as good as the ‘orginal’ [and no, I am not being humble], I’m going to give it a go!
Can you imagine what the poor guys who come here for the first time are going to think when they find out this is who is running their ‘course’ and then go on to read such delightful little posts as iPOD Singing, Being British, Sausages, Birkenstock Obsession and How Much A Trip To The Loo Costs.
Oh dear …
However, to ensure there’s some real value in all this, I am getting Fred, Hari and George to be involved … whilst keeping Andy as far away – at least initially – from them as possible, because there’s only so much ‘change in style’ a person can take! Ha!
If you have any suggestions as to the sort of project you think I should focus my first assignment on [and please know I might call upon all of you for some help in this too] … let me know.
Not sure when it’ll start … dependent on Russell … but probably sooner rather than later.
Filed under: Comment
So for the last 2 weeks, Jill and I have been doing this thing called ‘Magic Meals’ … which is basically a service where every morning, all your days food is brought to your door so you can eat healthily.
The company ensures all the food is nutritionally balanced for your needs and ensures there’s always a nice variety so you don’t get sick of eating tuna salad 3 times a day.
And you know what … it’s bloody good and its bloody easy.
Sure, there’s the odd thing that tastes of rubber … and only having the bare minimum of carbs is abit of a pain [I am half Italian afterall] but even though it costs abit … I have to say it is bloody worth it especially as I feel and look a hell of a lot healthier than normal, ha!
Hell, it even gave me an excuse to buy a sort-of gadget for my office …
My mini fridge/freezer/oven
However while I am glad to be getting back on the straight and narrow of health, it does highlight the sad fact that I – and millions like me – have succumbed to one of two debilitating illnesses …
1 Work Over Life
2 Instant Gratification Disease
The bit that bothers me most is that I think I suffer abit from both ‘ailments’ – and I am sure I am not alone.
I can’t remember the last time I went home on time … and the last time I had a week of eating home cooked, healthy meals was probably when I was a kid. Then there’s the fact I rarely get to have uninterrupted free time – even though it is often nothing more than an enquiring SMS.
The problem is we have put less and less importance on our lives.
For many people, everything comes before looking after ourselves – and we validate all our hard efforts by buying even more pointless tat [mini-fridge anyone!?] and slowly drowning in a sea of debt. And we all know it but we continue to do it.
I am very, very, very lucky to have some cash that allows me to do this sort of thing – because quite frankly, if I didn’t, I’d probably need a heart-attack or something to ‘shock’ me into the straight and narrow.
The added problem is that companies … and ad agencies … are latching onto this ‘trend‘ and rather than actually helping people fight to gain back their life, they are – in the main – actually pushing them further into the prison of helplessness.
From instant ‘sort-of’ healthy meals … through to Blackberries … through to peeled oranges … through to internet shopping … through to ‘mini-breaks’ … through to ‘Don’t Live A Life Of Regret’ style advertising … through to, well you get my point.
The opportunity for a brand to be a ‘champion for the really important things in life’ is there for the taking – and while some like the quite brilliant TESCO’s have done some fantastic stuff [as have NIKE with their ‘Mothers Group Running Club’], they are still in the minority and I truly believe this is a massive opportunity for any brand/agency with the foresight, passion and balls to make it happen.
I’ll push as hard as I can and I urge you lot to do the same but in the meantime, I promise to try and get my life back under abit more control – but when you have people working with you like the people I have working with me, it’s harder than scaling Everest! Ha
Saying ‘no’ to bad food habits.
Filed under: Comment
Please go and read this brilliant, brilliant post by my brilliant, brilliant colleague, Fredrik.
When I see stuff like this, I feel a total planning impostor and realise I have no right to spout anything to anyone.
I am lucky to have Freddie … and so are his children.
Filed under: Comment
Today is a great day for me … a really great day and it is all down to this bit of news on Age’s wonderful blog.
Go and read it … go and congratulate him … go and have a drink in his honour.
Age, if you really feel I helped in some way, then I am very, very happy … but as far as I am concerned, it’s all down to you, your talent and your balls for speaking up and speaking out.
I am truly chuffed for you mate … so go knock ’em dead, don’t be a stranger and for gods sake, don’t ever succumb to ad-wanker disease, ha! What a great end to the week!