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

Today one of my dear friends goes into a pitch with an absolutely brilliant idea.

A real idea, not an advertising one.

If pitch life was fair, he and his agency would walk it – but as we all know, the quest for glory is rarely decided just on the power of the idea/s being presented.

Saying that, in the unlikely event the client has a mental breakdown and chooses someone else’s ‘ad’s’, at least he can sit back in the knowledge that he managed to convince his high profile agency to live up to the philosophy they like to scream but rarely like to deliver upon. Who knows, it might just give them the kick up the backside they need to start living up to their promises and potential – which would be great because I know how brilliant they can be.

I wish I’d come up with this idea – but I didn’t and I don’t think I ever would have, which angers me and pushes me to work harder.

What a competitive little shit I am.

Rather than do the same old tie-in with Star Wars, Harry Potter or Indiana Jones … they have decided to focus on individuals who have made a real difference to our world and our understanding of that world.

This is the first model … apparently sales have not been as high as hoped 🙂

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!

Then again, maybe it’s all part of some ‘Microsoft Advertising For Good’ program … where they take washed up comedians and give them a new lease of life.

OK, so Jerry hardly covered himself in glory with these spots, but given he allegedly got paid TEN MILLION BUCKS, he probably doesn’t give a toss and is going to happily spend the next few months buying as many crappy 1970’s jumpers as he can lay his hands on.

So who is next?

Personally I hope it’s Jeff Goldblum because there’s a cheeky dig at Apple ready for the making, but according to Rob Campbell Bookmakers, the front runners are …

5/1 Steve Martin
12/1 Robin Williams
19/1 Billy Crystal
37/1 Whoopi Goldberg
100/1 Bob Carolgee’s [and Spit The Dog]?

Any more suggestions – except to the Crispin board to not buy that 2nd home quite yet?

Ahem.

[You know I’m only joking guys 🙂 ]