Filed under: Comment
So for the last 3 years, I have been involved in what Andy called a ‘social experiement’ with WPP throughout Asia.
I must admit when we were first approached with this challenge/opportunity, we weren’t very interested at all, however once we met the guy running the region – Chris Jaques – his intelligence, brilliance, honesty and enthusiasm won us over so we decided to give it a go … or should I say it was decided I would give it a go, ha!
Anyway, whilst there’s been more than the odd moment of ridiculousness [not to mention a rather large dollop of the ‘frustrating’] overall it’s been a brilliant and pretty successful experience [for all parties involved] so I am very, very happy that I/we did it.
Now you might realise I’m using the past tense here – and there’s a reason for that – because despite meeting and working with some amazing people in some amazing countries … not to mention accomplishing / producing a few things I am genuinely proud of … we’ve decided to bring this little relationship to an end.
Yep we’re divorcing but unlike most relationships, it’s amicable. Well, at least for now, ha!
I won’t go into the reasons for our decision except to say certain choices were made that I felt weren’t conducive to what I wanted us to do or what we were originally asked to achieve – plus we were approached with an opportunity that quite frankly was too exciting to even contemplate turning down – so in a few weeks time, and with a fair degree of sadness, we’re finishing up our adventure and heading off to pastures new – some based in Asia, some based in the US.
Sadly I can’t say anything specific because there’s still a few things being ironed out, however what I can say is that it involves at least 2 new cynic joint ventures … one of which has the very real potential to help make the World a better place … so it’s very exciting for me both personally and professionally.
With this in mind – and under no illusion anyone will give a shit – in a few weeks time I’m going to be putting this blog on hiatus for a couple of months
Don’t cry Dodds … I know you’re upset … but I’ll be back and there’s always email. [Except yours always go straight into my spam folder!]
Now I know some of you think I’m addicted to this thing so I won’t be able to help myself – and I include my wife in that statement – but this is a very important and exciting time for us so apart from the fact I’ll be spending an inordinate amount of time ‘commuting’ between Singapore and San Francisco, I really need to concentrate on what the hell I’m doing because if I stuff it up, the boys have already told me they’ll beat the living crap out of me without so much as a blink of an eye.
Anyway that’s it, very happy, very excited and very nervous but thought I’d let you know …
PS: Don’t worry Lauren, when I’m back I’ll be based somewhere on this side of the planet so you’ll still be able to read my blogposts in an Aussie-friendly timezone.
That is if you haven’t come to your senses and completely forgotten me by then π
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I know you are very excited about this, we all have our fingers crossed things go well.
Comment by Rob Mortimer May 5, 2008 @ 7:39 amtheres no opportunity really, it was the only thing we could think of to stop him writing his shit for a few months plus after he has done his song and dance shit, theres no fucking way anyone will want to know him except maybe americas unfunniest home movies.
Comment by andy@cynic May 5, 2008 @ 7:45 amI’d get dancing soon, or for months it’ll be the first thing people see when they come on here.
Comment by Dave Mortimer May 5, 2008 @ 7:50 amThat’s great news Robert, I’ll be able to buckle down on Microsoft π
Very happy for you, this is going to be very exciting but where will you be based in the end? Surely you’re not coming back to the “hell hole” or is there that much money available that you’ve been bought again? π
I’d love it if you were back here but I’m not sure you would which means I know Andy wouldn’t. When can you spill some of the beans?
Comment by Pete May 5, 2008 @ 7:53 amYay, Boo, Yay.
That’s about as indepth as it gets today.
And there are two “don’t worry Lauren”s in as many posts…sheesh! i gotta lighten up.
Comment by lauren May 5, 2008 @ 8:03 amstop fucking complaining lauren, at least the fucker shows hes thinking about you which is more than we ever get.
and pete i can tell you that theres no fucking way in the world i would let him come back here to live even if he wanted to which we all know he doesnt even though hed be based in gay friendly san fran π
Comment by andy@cynic May 5, 2008 @ 8:12 amYeah, seems Lauren does worry a lot, it’s like she’s the mother of this blog looking over her crazy kids! Albeit she’s one that uses fucking foul language but then again, they’re always the most fun to be around!
Good luck Rob and I can’t wait to see what you’ve got brewing. You’re an inspirational guy.
It’s gonna be strange going from daytime blog visitor to the night shift around here though.
Comment by Age May 5, 2008 @ 8:29 amI don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Comment by John May 5, 2008 @ 8:35 amSo no change there.
Comment by John May 5, 2008 @ 8:36 amBut I do know it’s going to be a long “few” weeks.
Comment by John May 5, 2008 @ 8:38 amI sure am gonna miss those camo birkenstocks !
Comment by fan May 5, 2008 @ 8:42 ammaybe you should get paul colman to blog for you here – he did a great job minding dan germain’s blog while dan was on paternity leave..
Comment by lauren May 5, 2008 @ 9:06 amAdmit it Dodds, you can’t handle it can you. Why do you think I’m sorting out lunch with you – I don’t want your suicide on my hands, ha!
And Age – as I said to Lauren, when the blog starts back, it’ll be in an Aussie-friendly timezone so you can spend your days at McCann’s trying to be the first to post a comment because I know that’s the most fun you’re having at work the moment, ha!
Anyway I’m not buggering off for weeks yet so there’s LOADS of shit posts for you to read and then comment with totally off-topic rants π
And Pete … I am DEFINITELY not moving back to the US for good – are you mad??? – I’m going there to run one major project then will come back to Asia to hopefully finalise another opportunity for us which, if all things go to plan, will be my normal day-to-day thing so I can stay as far away from you crazy Yanks as is physically possible π
As for having a ‘blog stand in’ – who the fuck is that vain to do that? I know I have a more than healthy ego but even I wouldn’t/couldn’t stoop that low – especially as whoever did it would be bound to be better than me so I’d end up in a very fragile state indeed.
And Dave, your comment is right – so I’ll try and get something done in the not-too-distant future though I do have a nasty feeling it might be the last thing I do on this blog before it’s “holiday” … which might see our new friends in San Fran completely re-considering what they’ve agreed to which means I’ll get kicked in the head by the boys for fucking everything up. No change there then π
Comment by Rob May 5, 2008 @ 9:44 amGreat news, not the blog haitus, but your new opportunity, so spill the beans soon π
Comment by Bhaskar May 5, 2008 @ 10:28 amWelcome back Robert
Comment by Lee Hill May 5, 2008 @ 10:49 amRob, say hello to the russians while you are there
Comment by niko May 5, 2008 @ 2:33 pmGreat news. All the best. Keep rocking!!
Comment by pooR\ May 5, 2008 @ 6:04 pmChrist, first Forest, and now this. Tumultous times in the Campbell camp – but surely both for the better (though I’m not sure how successful Forest will be ;)).
Seriously though, I’m pleased for you mate. Hope it all goes smoothly, and keep in touch…
Comment by Will May 5, 2008 @ 8:24 pmI’m excited because I get to see all my hunky bosses in the same room.
Comment by Jemma King May 5, 2008 @ 8:38 pmJemma x
I think you’re alone in your excitement Jemma but thank you for the kind words.
Comment by George May 5, 2008 @ 8:44 pmyoure definitely alone jemma because im dreading being in the same room as those planning fuckers and i bet they feel the same about me π
and the only person who deserves to be defined as a “hunk” is the guy who has had the most wives because that proves chicks are desperate to have him so that would be me but then we all knew that
Comment by andy@cynic May 5, 2008 @ 9:14 pmAndy. I think Jemma meant ‘chunky’….
You make me laugh Campbell. You’ve been sitting around for the last couple of years blogging 24/7 doing sod all and jetting off for long weekends with your Virgin mates so you can do snifters at the flying bar (air hostesses around the poles like Iron man?) before you land in god knows what light heeled cities you lurk in until the next gig comes in and when you finally have to do some work, you crumble at the first whiff of pressure and line up more trips on Virgin with your corporate mates and throw the towel in on your blog.
Next thing you’ll be slagging of Bono and high fiving Neil Diamond on a Virgin flight to Vegas with an entourage calling you Daddy Bobby.
Look. A blog is not just for Christmas. Shape up.
Comment by Charles Frith May 6, 2008 @ 8:24 amif you hadnt written such a fucking good comment there chaz, id of had to come and beat your beautiful face to a pulp but i like you and thats saved your future shagging potential.
Comment by andy@cynic May 6, 2008 @ 8:29 amI was on a roll there Andy. You know how it is π
Comment by Charles Frith May 6, 2008 @ 8:49 amJealousy is so ugly don’t you think π
Actually the reason I can blog so much gentlemen is not because of what you call laziness, it’s because of something called effectiveness – but then I would say that wouldn’t I, ha!
Comment by Rob May 6, 2008 @ 8:54 amYeah. I was just googling you and IPA. Something about ‘effective blagger’ came up.
Comment by Charles Frith May 6, 2008 @ 8:58 amyeah you would fucking say that campbell
Comment by andy@cynic May 6, 2008 @ 8:58 am*looks in mirror*
Comment by Charles Frith May 6, 2008 @ 9:04 amme that is π
Comment by Charles Frith May 6, 2008 @ 9:07 amThis is getting good…
Comment by Rob Mortimer May 6, 2008 @ 8:23 pmThis sounds very exciting, congratulations! Keep us posted. And thank you for your lovely post re immigration, I’ve only just spotted it. The immigration department in Australia may be just as stupid, ignorant and unhelpful, but I very much doubt they’re as big a c*nts as they are over here π
THIS POST WAS EDITED BY ROB TO SAVE THE BLUSHES OF PARENTS AROUND THE WORLD WHO MIGHT GET ASKED TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE ULTIMATE RUDE WORD MEANS – BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THIS BLOG IS CHILD FRIENDLY
Comment by Angus May 7, 2008 @ 9:34 pmholy fuck angus has broken the blog taboo and used the fucking ‘c’ word. campbells going to shit when he sees it but i think im in love. lauren looks like a frilly pink lace lady in comparison
Comment by andy@cynic May 7, 2008 @ 11:32 pmWell he is a hairy arsed plumber, so what do you expect.
Comment by John May 7, 2008 @ 11:36 pmin that case someone who turns up a week late, hits the taps with a hammer, constantly demands for tea with 5 sugars and a fucking big bill that has to be paid in cash
Comment by andy@cynic May 7, 2008 @ 11:49 pmNo sugar Andy. Just milk. Mother’s milk.
Comment by Angus May 8, 2008 @ 8:00 pmi am a frilly pink lace lady andy. no comparison necessary.
angus swears better, drinks tea without sugar, cider without ice and breaks his own ankles just for kicks.
Comment by sheseesred May 8, 2008 @ 9:47 pmwhat the fuck have i been doing wasting my time on you then π
Comment by andy@cynic May 8, 2008 @ 10:12 pmDisplaying your usual fine judgement?
Comment by John May 9, 2008 @ 2:39 amThe title of this post makes me want to answer ‘Being young’
Comment by Andrea May 9, 2008 @ 2:53 am