The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

So I’m off to the mecca of ego … I mean creativity … yep, that’s right, Cannes.

It’s been quite a while since I was last there and I have to say, I’ve always found the thing abit naff.

To be honest, that more to do with me being incredibly uncool than the event being crap – but I know that at one point in the proceedings, I’m going to be sat in a cafe drinking an outragously expensive cup of coffee watching a bunch of 50 year old men acting like they’re 21 and pretending they’re all big swinging dicks – and as uncool and sad as I may be, even I don’t achieve depths that low. 

Saying that, whenever I’ve gone there, I’ve always been treated well – especially for a planner who doesn’t drink, smoke or do drugs – but I’m sure that’s because the people who were introducing me were well known respected creative types and most agency folk would crawl over broken glass to touch their shadow, let alone work with them, haha

Poor sods, I’m sure if they knew I wasn’t the magical door to ‘the inner circle’ they’d of treated me with the contempt I deserved, ha!  Bad luck suckers …

To be honest, what I am looking forward to the most is catching up with a bunch of mates who I haven’t seen for years …  though I have to admit I’m also rather excited about the presentations I’m involved in PLUS the fact I’m having dinner with Mr Al Gore!!!  

Mind you, all that falls into insignificance given I am going to pop over to Blighty and see my wonderful Mum. Without sounding a soppy sod, that’s waaaaaay better than all the other stuff, even though I’ll only be with her for about 12 hours.

Now on top of being in ‘Advertising Disneyland’, I’m probably about to be consumed by a abit of legal shit which means there’s a good chance I might not be able to post too regularly for the next few weeks. 

Might happen … might not … but the bad news [for you] is that I will definitely be back and probably angrier than ever, ha!

Whatever happens, I promise the A[P]SOTW assignment reviews will be going on in the background and I’ll write a full synopsis on what was submitted in the next few weeks.  I am really happy at the number and quality of the proposals I received and feel the future of adland might be OK as long as the industry stops behaving like a bunch of Management Consultant Fuckwits.

Finally, I want to wish Russell a massive ‘GOOD LUCK’ for his wonderful ‘INTERESTING’ conference.

I know it will be brilliant and I wish I could be there – but as I am not, I leave him and his delegates with this ‘3 minutes of Maybe Interesting, Probably Not’

Oh, absolute last thing … how about wishing my absolutely wonderful Jilly a happy birthday for today.

Her support, encouragement and warmth is the very definition of love and I am amazed I snagged her! 

Here’s to you my sweetie! Rx

[And before you ask Andy, that is not her birthday pressie, ha!]

Remember those godawful speakers Andy bought for the NY office?

Well to counteract their ugly poncyness, I’ve errrrrm, just ordered this … and our accountant is going off like Darth Vadar on a bad hair day! 

[I only did it because Jill wouldn’t let me have one for home! The bitch! 🙂 ]

Hey, it’s not like its a total waste of space or money … on top of things like an iPOD charger, webcam and USB phone … it has a built in DVD player AND projector in his head, so we can show clients their ads and stuff from it.

As far as I am concerned, that’s a justifiable business expense and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees.

Please can I have my expenses paid on this … pleeeeeeeease!

Oh, and following the disappointment of not winning the big, secret pitch … a big congratulations to the guys for …

1 Winning a fucking wonderful creative assignment from DIESEL.

2 Achieving some of the highest consumer taste scores in B&J’s history for flavour combinations they came up with.

[Still waiting on the results for your concept Mr M … fingers crossed!]

I am really, really glad for you all, you absolutely deserve it and I can’t wait to see what exciting stuff you come up with for the Iti-fashionistas. 

Apart from the fact I am potentially quite out-of pocket [go on, please pay me back Ian, pleeeeeease!] this is one of those days where life feels really, really good … and its not because I bought a ridiculously overpriced electronic gadget, it’s because I am seeing people I care deeply about shine and start to really believe in what they are capable of achieving together.

Call me an old tosser, but I believe the role of a boss/company is to take ‘people’ on a journey of education, inspiration and challenge so that one day when they invariably leave, they go somewhere far better than they would otherwise of achieved. 

Of course you never want people to move on – but if you know they look back and feel you had a massive influence in what they have – and continue to – achieve, then it makes it all worth while.

In all honesty, seeing the guys flourish and win great business [against great companies] because of that talent is wonderful and as much as it pains me, its testimony to both George and Andy’s leadership, talent and downright greatness.

Even though that last sentence made me sick, I feel like a proud Dad and I have to admit that I like that feeling.

The last time I felt ridiculously happy – excluding my engagement of course – was when AGE gave us his toptastic news  …

Well now I have some more wonderful news and that is my dear Hari is going to be a Dad. HURRAH!

It goes without saying he is going to be a fantastic Dad, but given …

1 His Father was such a great role model

2 He sits with Freddie – a man who can get his wife pregnant just by looking at her

… we can be assured he is going to be one of the best Dad’s ever.*

However being true to Yin Yang, we need some balance to all this good news and so it is with regret I have to announce we didn’t win the massive, exciting secret pitch I mentioned a while back.

Actually it was us that ‘pulled the plug’ on the whole process [for mature, sensible business reasons that I don’t want to scare you with, ha!] but it’s still disappointing – especially as I feel we’ve sort-of let down our wonderful, clever, talented and passionate colleagues who did such a brilliant job that the client in question [who I am still not allowed to say, sorry] was – and still is – frothing at the mouth to make it happen.

Thanks guys, you’re all bloody tops and I am sorry that sometimes money is the barrier to glory.  Lets see what happens …

* Note I didn’t say BEST Dad Ever – because that accolade goes to my ol’ man I’m afraid! But don’t worry Hari, you’ll be right up there with Fred, Marcus, George and everyone else on this blog! 🙂