Filed under: Comment
… this might be the reason …
24th August 2008
Singapore Sunday Times Newspaper
I am writing to say how offensive I found the article Jamaica Bolts Ahead: It’s athletes are reaping the fruits of their labour, and maybe their ancestory – in today’s Sunday Times.
Apart from the potentially racist slant of the whole piece, the fact half a page was dedicated to undermining the fantastic achievement of an athlete from a poor nation, is both petty and disappointing.
I am sure Singapore wouldn’t be happy if China wrote an article suggesting their success in the table tennis was down to some genetic advantage developed through generations of hardship, so I don’t see why we should allow this sort of viewpoint to be expressed towards another nation.
Sometimes there is no rational explanation for outstanding talent/success other than the athlete’s passion, desire, hard work and support – so in future it might be useful if Rob Hughes remembers that to ensure he doesn’t come across as small minded and arrogant.
Robert Campbell
Yes I know this makes me look like some sad Daily Mail reader, but you should have read this article – it was like it was straight out the pages of a BNP or KKK manual.
OK, so it wasn’t as bad as that … however I take great offence when a ‘journalist’ doesn’t offer an alternate perspective to the ‘expert’ a who claims Jamaica’s athletic success owes a great deal to the slavery conditions they faced in the past. Jesus, he is one of those idiots that probably thinks all Mexican sportspeople should be good at high jump, running and swimming.
Anyway I know I’m turning into my Dad, but this sort of attitude needs metaphorically kicking down, especially as Singapore – like many countries who claim of ‘multiculturilism’ – hides plenty of prejudice behind it’s smiles.
Probably a good job I’m moving from Singapore isn’t it – though they’ve not printed it yet, which is not that surprising I suppose. Damn, what do you have to do around here to piss people off … oh I know, talk about the Air Force 🙂
Filed under: Comment
… art isn’t created with the sole purpose to make you do something after experiencing it [even though it does want to leave a lasting impression] whereas that’s the ultimate goal for advertising – which is why if you have an ad that is only focused on being visually impressive, you can easily be sucker punched by a less fancy, but to-the-point competitor.
Style with no purpose may be fine in many industries [fashion anyone?] but not in adland – even if alot of the communication out there seems to be proving me wrong, ha!
[Thanks to Freddie for this piece of M&C endorsed brutal simplicity 🙂 ]
Filed under: Comment
It’s not just about WHERE you say it … nor is it just about WHAT you say … you have to appreciate the importance of HOW you convey your message otherwise even the best of intentions can come across as condecending, patronising and inappropriate.
Or in language you may understand more easily – it might work against you!
This is what creatives – and hopefully the odd planner – can add to the mix, because with their involvement your message doesn’t just get seen and heard, but felt and remembered.
Remember the truly great messages never smack the ears, they squeeze the heart.
Filed under: Comment
… but it has – 1 year today.
See Jill, I told you that you were wrong 🙂
[Which means it’s Mr M’s first anniversary as well – congrats/commiserations matey!]
Filed under: Comment
Creative lovely Paul Catmur in his best gayboy pose.
[Are you still colour co-ordinating your socks with your shirts Paul?]
[That’s shirts, not shits as I had previously typed by accident. Thanks Dodds]