OK, so the title of this post is wrong given we have almost 3 weeks left before it’s 2017, but this is going to be the last week for this blog because [1] I’m going to be in LA all week [be afraid George, Pete & Baz … be very afraid] and [2] I can’t be arsed to write anymore.
Frankly, I can’t believe how quick this year has gone. It’s been stupendously quick.
And yet, when I look back at the past 12 months, I see a lot has happened … and I’m not just talking about my holidays.
From Bowie dying.
The worst Toyota campaign in years.
My favourite quote of the year.
A time of self realisation.
My best friends penis. [Hey, it wouldn’t be this blog if I didn’t reference that]
The power of design.
My beloved Mum’s first anniversary.
The launch of The Kennedys in Shanghai.
[With updates on whats going on here]
A reminder of the importance of empathy.
The best Rock n’ Roll mash-up. Ever.
China showing that for all their progress, a lot of it is only on the surface … here and here.
How Cannes is bringing the worst out of adland.
My amazing June consisting of an amazing conference in Paris, my wife’s birthday and a phenomenal holiday in too many places.
An idea that should be celebrated for it’s humanity.
My argument about what the ad industry needs to do to be relevant to the next generation of creative class.
… and recognising what new creative talent actually is.
The importance of fearlessness.
Saying goodbye to a couple of people who were very important to me. But only goodbye in the ‘I’m leaving Wieden’ sense. Ros and Paula.
As you can see, there’s been a lot that’s happened.
OK, so some you may agree with, some you won’t … but it’s important [for me, at least] to see it because the speed this year has gone, it would be easy for me to convince myself nothing has happened.
Recently I read an interview with ex-Take That star, Robbie Williams, that kind of summed up my attitude to working.
I know … I know … it’s Robbie Williams, but the fact is I have always liked him.
I’ve liked his attitude and his honesty – even when he’s ended up being screwed over by what he said – but for me, his viewpoint that ‘if the brain stops working, it’s all over’ feels very relevant to me.
You may not believe it, you may say there’s a lot of evidence to challenge it … but it’s something that feels incredibly true to me.
So true that 2017 is going to see quite a few changes for me … all in a bid to make sure my brain remains energised and exercised so that I don’t need a blog post to remind me that my days have been filled with stuff that has been interesting and exciting.
But that stuff will be discussed later, so until then, enjoy the final 5 days of this blog in 2016.