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

Profitable Blogging …

Given yesterday’s post, what I am about to write is especially pleasing – however I appreciate anyone who has read Affluenza may see it as a demonstration of me completely missing the point of the book, ha!

 

Remember that post I wrote where I said I’d like to get a company to take a stand against  ‘vulgar displays of wealth’?

Well a rather large UK based organisation saw it and – without going into all the details – have appointed cynic to help them develop the idea so they can become a living, breathing “Community Champion”.

My first reaction was that I should immediately write some posts about NIKE, LEVIS, HEINEKEN and PLAYSTATION – but as my rants about Wunderman and the like didn’t get any positive response – I’ve just put it down to luck.

Still, nice to know that this blogging lark isn’t a complete waste of time. Occasionally. 🙂

[Sorry, can’t say who the company is at the moment, legal ‘issues’]

It Would Seem People In Asia Don’t Believe You Can Learn Through Play …

So I saw this ‘ad’ for coloured pencil’s in a Singaporean supermarket.

Can you see the mental bit?

Go on – look a bit harder.

Got it? 

Yep, they’re saying WRITING is the most fun you can have by yourself!

Now while there are other things you can do by yourself which are way enjoyable [allegedly] – that is not what I’m whinging about.

What bothers me is that this ad talks about coloured pencils interms of writing instead of drawing or exploring your imagination.

Now I’ve said this before, but if Singapore continues to undermine the importance and value of creativity/imagination – especially with kids – then I believe it will severely affect the prosperity of the country, because not only will they find it much harder to keep talent in their country, they will be reliant on people who have been ‘trained’ to follow orders rather than develop their own thinking which can – and probably will – have sever ramifications on the economy of the CityState.

The irony in all this is that Singapore – as I’ve said plenty of times – is one of the greatest examples of creative and visionary thinking in the World, however it seems the current leadership don’t realise what Lee Kuan Yew did – nationalistic success comes from creative thinking, not just corporate thinking – so I can’t help but feel that interms of Singapore’s economy, it’s more a case of ‘hanging on’ than expecting great leaps forward.

[And when you consider the re-balance of Global Economic Power towards the East, this is especially concerning]

I truly hope the powers-that-be realise this before it’s too late because whilst I am not devaluing the importance of classic academia subjects – without creativity and imagination – you end up restricted in what you can do/think/achieve and in a place as small as Singapore, this is something that they cannot afford to let happen.

To anyone Singaporean – especially a parent – I encourage you to watch the clip below …

… and to the people who did the ‘ad’ for the coloured pencils, I suggest they check out this classic Lego spot and learn from it before they fuck up with their next bit of work.

Finally, I leave you with this absolutely brilliant quote from Peter Ustinov …

PEOPLE WHO REACH THE TOP OF THE TREE ARE THOSE WHO HAVEN’T GOT THE QUALIFICATIONS TO DETAIN THEM AT THE BOTTOM.

Remember that next time you stop your child from exploring their creative side. 🙂

Can People Stop Referring To Themselves As Brands, They’re Not – They’re People.

Photo: Inkel

This post was brought to you by Jill – who is sick to the death of hearing people and the media talk this way – and I for one, back her wholeheartedly.

Is it any wonder so many in society are losing their ability to empathise and build meaningful relationships when their attitude seems to be these things all have a limited shelf-life and are instantly transferable?

The general rule with these people seems to be that when they no longer feel they’re directly benefiting from the association, they no longer feel the need to continue the association.

There’s a really interesting book that talks about this issue called Affluenza by a psychologist called Oliver James.

I have to say I don’t agree with everything he writes [sometimes it seems like an ‘ad’ for therapy &/or religion] however his view on how the ‘human brand’ mentality is fucking us up is fascinating – even though my industry has to sadly shoulder much of the blame.

I know this is going to make me sound a complete hippy [plus a hypocrite given I make my living in advertising] but I want to live a life … not a lifestyle.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want nice things – of course I do – but I’ll never let it be all that drives or guides me [or should I say, Jill will never let it be all that drives or guides me, ha ] because ultimately, I know you can never find true happiness or satisfaction from it.

Yep, that comment really makes me sound like a tosser doesn’t it – but what the hell – rather that than be a banker 🙂]

Germany Is Attempting To Take Over Malaysia …

Yoohoooooooo …

Is anybody out there?

I knew it – you’ve all buggered off to blogs that have something intelligent to say haven’t you. Bollocks.

Oh well, I’ll carry on and maybe you’ll be back in time for a certain bit of great news that [fingers crossed] will be happening in the next 6-8 weeks.

[Yes that is a desperate attempt to put some ‘tension’ into this blog, but I do hope I have something interesting to tell you soon. Well, interesting to me – none of you will give a fuck, ha!]

Right, lets get on with it shall we?

When you think of Germany what comes to mind?

Is it?

Or?

What about?

Maybe?

Or possibly even?

Well regardless what your sick little mind came up with, I bet it wasn’t this …

This is an ad from Malaysia – the same place that brought us the ‘Whose Your Daddy?’ Vaio ad.

Now the thing is, over the years there have been some fantastic ads from Malaysia – but if you can call two ads a ‘trend’ – it seems to all be going abit doolally.

This HIGHLAND STORM ad has to be one of the worst ones ever.

Apart from the fact it has been seemingly directed by this man …  

… why the fuck did they feel the need to highlight the fact lozenges come from Germany?

Is Germany famous for it’s lozenges?

Do people in Malaysia like Germany?

Do German lozenges represent the pinnacle of confectionary?

I have no fucking idea – but what confuses me more is the visual.

What the hell is it trying to represent?

Is it some subliminal reference to wartime blitzkrieg … or just a really shitty idea relating to the name ‘Storm’.

But hang on, it’s not ‘Storm’ is it … it’s HIGHLAND Storm … which insinuates it’s from fucking Scotland, not Germany.

I get so fed up of communication that simply dramatises the brands ‘name’ rather than develops a real idea they can build off – to me it’s it’s lazy advertising, up there with using sex in an execution – and that’s why there is absolutely nothing in this execution that makes me feel good about the brand or would encourage me to buy a packet.