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


Join W+K And See The World …
February 10, 2011, 6:28 am
Filed under: Comment

I’ve written about this before, but I’d like to talk about how W+K can make you feel great and bloody terrible at the same time.

To explain this, I have to take you on a bit of a journey …

I’ve been doing this planning game for quite a long time.

Thanks to some good luck and the odd dollop of good fortune, I’ve been able to work with a whole host of great people, clients and agencies which over the years, has resulted in me being able to put my name against some relatively well known ideas and advertising.

Now because of this – and the fact I’d turn up to the opening of an envelope – I get invited to speak at conferences all over the place.

While I’d love to think I’m chosen because of my devastating intelligence, wit and good looks – I know the real reason is because organisers love to see me either generate some audience participationstart a fight … or go down like Monica Lewinsky.

[Or in exceptional cases, all 3 at once]

Then there’s this blog.

Despite writing the same old bollocks for years, I’ve had a steadily increasing number of people check it out, as well as a static number of people popping by to insult me.

While I knew I was never anything special, I did feel my career trajectory was continually on the rise and that made me feel good – not for ego reasons – but because underneath it all, I genuinely had [and have] a desire to put something back into the industry that has given me a bloody good life [so far] as well as try and stop what I believe are ‘decisions of stupidity’ by way too many agencies and individuals within them.

Then in July I started at W+K and it all changed.

By that, I mean I suddenly – and relatively speaking – became ‘popular’.

Now I was getting invited to conferences that were bigger and in more glamouress locations than I’d ever experienced and my blog saw big increases in the number of people coming along [but still the same old commentators, ha] and yet the only thing that had changed between July 15th and July 16th was that I had the initials W+K associated with my name.

Now while I am very happy to be flown to the US, South Africa and Australia to spout my nonsense, I genuinely believe if my Mum went instead of me and gave a speech entitled “how to make pasta the W+K way” people would still walk away feeling happy.

Of course this is testimony to how good Dan – and his people – are, but it’s also pretty depressing … not just because people seemingly judge others only by the company they keep but, from a personal perspective, they place zero value on what I – and anyone else representing W+K – have done for the last 20 years when in reality, it’s what we’ve done for the last 20 years that is what has got us here in the first place.

And that is one of the things I genuinely feel is wrong with adland at the moment.

No, not that the industry doesn’t appreciate my awesomeness [ahem] … I mean the fact we’re all running for the next big thing without ever actually realising what has gone on in the past and what is worth holding on to.

We deal too much in what not why … and while knowing stuff doesn’t mean everything in the future will follow the same path, if we’re not even willing to try and understand the factors that help influence outcomes [all factors, from people to distribution etc etc], then we’re destined to the same sort of disappointment Kim Kardashian will face in about 20 years when she looks into the mirror.

W+K is a fantastic place that does amazing work – but it’s not achieved because of any processes or proprietary tools – it’s because the company is built on specific values, beliefs and people … people who have a myriad of life experiences that go way beyond just adland … and that’s why I feel I get the last laugh when I now speak at conferences, because while the attendees hope I’ll spend ages rabbiting on about W+K and our work, I actually talk about life and if you’re one of the guys attending Sydney’s Creative Circus, you’ll find out why I believe that’s the most important thing for all of adland to focus on.


52 Comments so far
Leave a comment

You misunderstand. The reason traffic increased to your blog was not the added W+K but a desperate public looking for the answer to the question, what did W+K see that we haven’t?

Comment by Ciaran McCabe

including the rest of wa+nk who hated him before he even started telling them to build a car rather than another fucking ad.

Comment by andy@cynic

Fuck me, did I make it with an insult before Andy?

Comment by Ciaran McCabe

im surprised its not happened before given youre a fucking pensioner with nothing better to do than watch when this bollocks ticks over to a new post and let in thieves posing as a fucking postman.

Comment by andy@cynic

I know I shouldn’t admit this, but this comment made me laugh out loud.

Comment by Rob

It’s alright for you to say Andy, but you don’t live in a home where you have to take your turn to use the computer thingy. It’s not easy, but then again, as the planner said to the client, the timing can be just right.

Comment by Ciaran McCabe

wet bastard.

Comment by andy@cynic

you know that post you wrote about letting fear drive you over ego? looks like ego is back on fucking top.

the only reason youre let off is because you reminded me that youre quite interesting at conferences and by that i mean you always end up doing one of the 3 things you accept are the only reasons you get asked to talk your bollocks in public. the fight with that prof in india was a good one but ill only be satisfied if after your sydney paid holiday,i read in all the ad rags the front page headline:

“dan wieden rushed to hospital for breathing difficulties. rogue w+k planner* blamed after news of him pulling a michael douglas in falling down in front of 500 delegates at australian bullshit conference gets back to portland hq. planner alleged to have insulted agencies, companies, countries, governments and parents before starting a riot. and a fire.”

* rogue only because no fucker at w+k can work out how he was hired.

dont let me down campbell. besides its not that hard, its only one step more than the shit that went down in miami and thats only because i didnt have any fucking matches on me.

glad youre going to piss all the aussies off by not talking about w+k but not as glad as dan is. you make one fucking good point about the journey to where you are where you are is more valuable than where you are but that makes us look like old fucks despite that being the best bit of fucking advice this instant gratification bland crowd could hear in fucking years.

Comment by andy@cynic

I’ll do my best. I thought it would be quite a big call until you reminded me of the riots of 2004 which were all of YOUR making.

And yes, I know what you mean about people missing the ‘journey vs present destination’ but no one reads my blog anyway so it didn’t worry me about being seen as old. Besides, I am.

Comment by Rob

Advertising existed in 2004?

Comment by Rafik

and for the record campbell, its all down to good luck starting by meeting me. wheres my payola?

Comment by andy@cynic

It’s in the post. From China. Expect to get it in 1000 years.

Comment by Rob

you tight fuck.

Comment by andy@cynic

I bet the organizers of the conference in Sydney are jumping for joy that you’ve told anyone who was thinking of coming to hear some guy from W+K that there’s no point because you’re going to be boring them about life instead. Maybe I should go, I’d make a killing selling rotten fruit at the entrance.

Comment by DH

As I said, they’re not there for me so at least now the organisers have ample notice to cancel my tickets and replace me with 60 mins of W+K ads. Everyone wins … except me, but I’m used to that. Ha.

Comment by Rob

when i think of the name rob campbell, poor fucking bastard is the first thing that comes to my mind. oh no it isnt, its the 10,363th thing. crybaby cock.

Comment by andy@cynic

“we’re destined to the same sort of disappointment Kim Kardashian will face in about 20 years when she looks into the mirror.”

You mean when the botox shots can’t fight gravity any more and she looks like a burns victim with her ass and tits sagging to the floor? Best line you’ve ever written Rob, don’t understand a word of anything else you said though.

Comment by Billy Whizz

good fucking call billy. my eyes must be fucked because i didnt even see it but then even if i did i wouldnt fucking give him a compliment.

Comment by andy@cynic

A burns victim?! You’re turning into Andy.

Comment by Rob

i trained the fucker well, but he should be so lucky to even breathe the same fucking air as me.

Comment by andy@cynic

My mother is a burns victim.

Comment by Marcus

I know he didn’t do it on purpose … no one would do that, especially given the terrible situation your Mum went through.

Sorry though. On behalf of Billy.

Comment by Rob

I just re-read it and it sounds like I’m an ungrateful little shit – which was not the intention at all. I know I am hugely fortunate to be able to do these things [not to mention work at W+K] … it’s just the issue that too many people only judge you by the company you keep rather than what you’ve done. The end.

Comment by Rob

you are an ungrateful shit. and a fucking creep. how the fuck do you make that happen?

Comment by andy@cynic

you only think you sound ungrateful because you stubbed your toe on a guilt trip. fuck that – you told the truth. but the fact that a celebrity endorsememt drives audiences, even within the industry, should surprise no-one here.

oh, and your telling me that ms kardashian’s massive arse is not gonna make the transfer window? what will the world do without her pert bits?

Comment by lauren

You’re right Lauren, it shouldn’t surprise anyone [especially on here] but it still is sad. Especially for the ego, hahaha!

And I think the World would be in a much better place without hypocritical Kim and her massive arse, but the bigger issue is will this be the time I finally meet you???

Comment by Rob

do.
not.
meet.
campbell.

Comment by andy@cynic

is that because you can’t handle the noise of a finely crafted reputation crashing to the ground? namely mine.

Comment by lauren

As I said to JP as we were putting the first issue of The Eagle to bed, “It’s all pub talk, John, all pub talk.

Comment by Ciaran McCabe

Who is Kim Kardashian and should I care?

Will you wearing the Chairman Mao outfit?

I love the fact that people will be coming on here expecting WK wisdom and all they find is creche for industry misfits

Comment by northern

1/ No.
2/ Good idea. Might do that.
3/ Yes, it gives me a great sense of satisfaction too.

Comment by Rob

WK wisdom. They can have my wisdom for free. But credit me you bastards. Preferably with a huge bonus. So. What’s the odds today’s headline got you a peak in visitors? Any takers? How is your Twitter account doing? Any correlations there? Now, give me a bonus.

Comment by Evolution

you should be a management consultant, those fuckers expect to get huge bonuses for repeating back what their client just said to them as well.

Comment by andy@cynic

As you can see, I can successfully think for myself and do not have to rely on repeating.

Repeating would bore me to death and make me bang my head against the wall even more often than I do now for reasons that include watching inane folk do the loop all the f*cking time.
Not a good piece of advice I have to admit. I appreciate that you spent your valuable time and showed concern for my problem though :).

Comment by Evolution

im not going to start all our fucking batbiting again but campbell used this whole fucking post to say working for w+k increases his desirability (nothing else would) so youre just repeating this when you suggest his blog stats will have gone up because he put w+k in the title. why the fuck am i bothering to point this out. who the fuck even cares. carry on evo, i know northern is impressed especially with your virtual fucking tea brewing.

Comment by andy@cynic

“Join W+K And See The World” is the title. Not just W+K. Thank you for making me repeat something. I am banging my head against the wall just now. Again, thank you. And still, I will bother to point out that the headline reads like an invitation to fill a vacancy, and the most incredible job description will follow. Get it?

Again, what’s the odds THIS actually caused a peak in visitors TODAY?

Now to the Twitter point. I would like to see the statistics. Maybe, just maybe, the visitor number increased not only with him joining W+K. How and when did he build up to following almost 2,000 accounts. And so on… Why I do have to point all this out is beyond me.

You are not eager to start shit? Oh yes, I see. Not impressive.

Comment by Evolution

Sorry to burst your hypothesis Evolution, but the amount of people who visited my blog today was pretty much the same as usual – if anything, a bit lower.

Comment by Rob

No problem. It was more a bet than a hypothesis really. Still, I would have bet! And lost. Interesting that there was no peak, which makes me think of a series of follow-up questions. Or better, factors that should be taken into consideration and questions that need to be answered before formulating a sound hypothesis.

Comment by Evolution

Why are you bothering to point this out? Anyway I know I’m impressed, especially with the virtual fucking tea brewing

Comment by northern

you definitely should hire him. or her. or whatever they are. with their ability to post rationalise fucking nonsense theyre a planner through and fucking through. they even imply campbell follows 2000 people on twatter could be w+k linked because maybe working for the portland munchers makes you want to follow more people. who knows, i couldnt give a flying fucking shit about twatter. so stop pissing about northern, start hiring and theyre much too fucking good for making virtual tea so give him/her/it an immediate promotion and payrise.

evolution. if northern hasnt sent you a contract in 24 hours, tell me and ill virtually smack the bastard for you.

Comment by andy@cynic

good fucking swearing there northern.

Comment by andy@cynic

This is getting better than Balboa v Creed

Comment by northern

twat.

Comment by andy@cynic

and you’re Creed

Comment by northern

the less brain damaged one. anyfuckingway, youre ethel. whose ethel? one of the fucking chickens balboa chased around in rocky 1.

Comment by andy@cynic

Does Evo feel like a Kentucky Fried idiot?
And it was in Rocky 2 you dolt

Comment by northern

No. I feel like I’m on top of the game.

Comment by Evolution

And come to think of it, Campbell looks like Paulie these days

Comment by northern

working hard today i see northern. is youporn blocked?

rocky 2. how did i get that wrong. oh i fucking know, i have a fucking life. its a shit woodworm, overfuckingestimate, pile of wood and shit bricks life. but a life. so why the fuck do i have an overfuckingwhelming urge to have a rocky marathon today. you fucker northern but at least ill know what its like to be a planner so i can criticise more accurately.

Comment by andy@cynic

Ding ding

Comment by northern

when i said ill know what its like to be a planner, i meant it because you do fuck all, not because your powerful fucking titans. should be obvious but wanted to make fucking sure.

Comment by andy@cynic

Interesting conversation while I was asleep. Apart from the bits where I’m being slagged off. Apart from that, it was almost like a snapshot of old, which I’m not sure is a good or a bad thing.

Comment by Rob




Leave a Reply