Filed under: Planners Making A Complete Tit Of Themselves And Bless, Unprofessional Professional
No, I’m not talking about the fact they spelt Shanghai wrongly.
Nor that they used a small ‘p’ in planning. [Even though it is ridiculous to use a capital letter]
No … I’m obviously talking about the fact the lovely – but mental – people at Hoala, stupidly invited me to be part of their course.
What on earth where they thinking?
Not only will they have a bunch of very disappointed students, imagine how the other lecturers will feel being associated with me.
On the bright side, I get a free holiday to the ‘dam, so I’m not complaining.
Which is more than can be said for everyone else, come September.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Brilliant Marketing Ideas In History, Speed Dial
Have a look at this …
Now I know some of you – mainly Mr Dodds – argues it is an ad, but I disagree.
Yes, what I’ve just shown you is a case study video, but the fact is, the agency behind it – the ridiculously good Colenso – developed the speed dial to solve the problem of drivers going too fast … then created the advertising to promote their solution.
That is very, very different to what most agencies would do … which would be to just make another ad.
Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the speed campaigns have been very successful in NZ, but this is something that fundamentally tackles the problem when you’re sat in front of the steering wheel, rather than sat in front of the television.
I am hugely jealous of it … but then the guys behind it, headed by my mates Nick Worthington and Nick Garrett, are seriously good.
Bastards.
I wrote a while back how I believe Square was an embarrassment to adland – and banks – and I still stand by that, which is why it’s so wonderful for me to see an idea that is so seriously good, simple and clever coming from an ad agency.
And guess what, it came from the old ‘insight and creativity’ partnership.
In these days where adland likes to pretend they’re scientists, academics and technological geniuses … it’s great to see the simple, infectious power of a good insight, some creative people and a big dollop of imagination.
Congrats Colenso but this sort of thing isn’t unique to you and I just hope this ignites the desire in adland as a whole to solve problems rather than focus on just making ads.
Jesus, who am I???!!!
Despite the amount of money I spend with them on things I don’t really need, I like Amazon.
Whenever I go on there to buy one thing, I end up with a bunch more simply because they have a knack of presenting me with ‘things I might also like to consider’ that I consider and then decide I want to buy.
That said, I don’t know if I would call Amazon a great brand.
They have a great product and offer great service, but my relationship with them is purely transactional.
They certainly don’t inspire any disproportional emotional response to them … and they’re probably perfectly fine with that.
Anyway, that’s by the by.
The reason for this post is that I recently was on their site [buying another daft book best suited to 5 year olds] when I saw this:
… if you can’t see what I’m talking about, how about this:
Now don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the importance of saving and the benefit of being able to profit from things you are never going to need/use again … but to offer me a gift card worth 34 cents – though they acknowledge this ‘offer’ may end up being lower than that amount – is a bit tragic, especially when it’s for a book I don’t even own.
I’d sort-of understand it if they had used books I had already bought from them.
I’d sort of understand it if their headline was, The book you want to buy could be free if you trade in these 3 books you bought from us 3 years ago.
But to randomly offer me a shit price for a book I don’t own doesn’t make me think Amazon ‘cares about me’, more like Amazon doesn’t understand who I am and just wants to get as much moolah out of me as possible.
Mind you, it it is the latter, they are doing an amazing job of it so far.
Filed under: Comment
Like I said yesterday, I don’t want this to be soppy, but I have to tell you how much I adore you.
It’s not the same as I adore Jill, but it’s pretty close.
You’ve always been there for me – through thick and thin – and nothing showed that more to me than the way looked after me after Otis’ birth and Mum’s death.
You are an amazing man. Sure, you’re prone to being a bit of a twat at times, but that just makes me love you more. And for the record, what you have done in the past 6 months with your health is amazing. I’m in awe and inspired at the same time.
I am so proud – and slightly concerned – that you are Otis’ oddparent, but I can’t think of anyone I’d rather he turn to. [Except for your Dad, but that’s more for his cash]
Happy, happy birthday matey, I hope it’s a good one. Or at least a better one than the bin you gave Shelly. I know … I know … she loved it. No need to go over that again.
Can’t wait to see you in Australia – if not before.
Rx
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PS: How come my birthday was on a Friday and not yours? Has that ever happened before? There must be an error with the universe. I’m sure normal service will resume next year.
Filed under: Advertising [Planning] School On The Web, Comment
It seems so because guess what … it’s another national holiday in China.
Time to party, party, party.
Or in my case, change nappies, sleeeeeeeeep and chase up the APSOTW judges for their feedback.
No … I have not forgotten about the assignment and I’m very grateful to everyone who submitted.
While most of the judges have been uber-efficient giving me their feedback, one has had to drop out because of personal circumstances and the other is in the middle of a corporate acquisition and has asked for a little bit longer to respond.
Let’s be honest, how can I possibly say no to someone so keen on evaluating the entries even though he is handling some multi-million business takeover?
So I’ve given him another couple of weeks and I will be posting all the feedback very soon.
Thanks for your patience, I really appreciate it.
And with that, I’m back off to bed.
See you tomorrow.