So a while back … when I was still trying to make WPP/Y&R good … I received an email from a guy representing the Asia Brand Summit.
To be honest, I’d never heard of the organisation – but because I am more of a social leper than a butterfly, that meant nothing.
Anyway I read the email and saw – very excitingly – I was being invited to speak at their 17th annual conference which was going to be held in Mumbai.
However as I read on, I saw they’d made a huuuuuuge mistake.
You see after all the background of the organisation and abit about the upcoming conference, I saw this …
“The committee are pleased to announce that you have been chosen as the recipient of the individual Brand Leadership award”
Now to be honest, this wasn’t the first time I had received an email that was meant for another Robert Campbell [ie: one of the founders of Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe [RKYR] that was bought out by Y&R] but it was the first time it was for something other than house inspections or external meetings.
So I wrote back explaining the situation and went home.
Next day there was an email from the same guy … however instead of apologising for their mistake, they insisted it was me they wanted to award.
Now I’d like to pretend that I’m all nonchalant about it – but I’m not – I’m well happy.
Lets face it, I’m an obnoxious, opinionated bugger – hell, even clients call me that – so to even get invited to lunch is a big thing for me, let alone to be given an award.
From work I did at WPP/Y&R.
WPP/Y&R!!!
Brand Leadership!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Robert Campbell!!!
Brand Leadership!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
WPP/Y&R!!!
Robert Campbell!!!
Brand Leadership!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
To be honest, I’m still sure it’s some massive mistake … however even if it ends up being as big a misunderstanding as when Michael Jackson thought he was getting the ‘Artist Of The Millennium’s award when in reality the host, Britney Spears, was just calling him HER artist of the millennium … I’m going to go and I’m going to enjoy myself.
Saying that, if it ends up being some sick ‘Andy joke’ then the guy is dead.
Making poor George die of embarrassment at some ad function is one thing, getting his friend and colleague to fly to India under the guise of an award is something entirely different.
Yes … I know it’s the sort of practical joke I’d love to get away with but like most people, the joke wears pretty thin when you’re the victim, ha!
[It doesn’t help that for the past few months, he’s been sending me daily emails asking if I’m more or less nervous about this event than my first day at Google. He’s a shit, a shit I tell you!]
Anyway what I’m trying to say is that I’m in Delhi and Mumbai next week so in the unlikely event anyone from there [1] reads this blog and [2] wants to catch up … then drop me a note and as long as I’m not being held by Indian Police for trying to get into the country under false pretences, I’ll hopefully be able to meet up.
Oh and before I go … for the first time ever in Asia, PSFK are holding a conference in Singapore on Oct 10th.
If it’s anything like their previous conferences it should be fantastic – however as I’m speaking at this one – it might be abit dodgy.
On the bright side, Charles and a bunch of other mates are also presenting … and given I know how clever and entertaining they are … I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone in the region who cares about the commercial power of creativity to buy a ticket and have a toptastic day.
Right, lets see whether the next 7 days are going to be fun or humiliating beyond belief!