Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Advertising, Agency Culture, Attitude & Aptitude, Authenticity, Comment, Communication Strategy, Confidence, Consultants, Content, Context, Creativity, Culture, Insight, Resonance, Respect, Rick Rubin, RulesOfRubin
A while back, I wrote a post about Rick Rubin and his brilliance at making the complex, simple.
I talked about how this was in diametrically opposed to the way many agencies and consultancies operate.
But – to really ram home the difference – Rick isn’t simply a master of simplification, he uses it to unlock the creative potential and authenticity of the people he works with.
He has helped more artists attain a highly desirable, distinctive and definitive role in culture than probably all the agencies and consultancies put together.
That’s not to say agencies and consultancies can’t do that or haven’t done that, but the ones who have done it well … the ones who have ignited fandom rather than just participation … is very, very small.
Anyway, that post – and a subsequent project with the Chili’s – took me down a Rick Rubin rabbit hole and over the weeks, I’ve posted his quotes with what my interpretation of what it means for the ad industry.
The work.
The environment.
The clients.
The more I spend going down the Rick rabbit hole, the more it feels his viewpoint encapsulates all the different things I’ve learnt, seen or experienced from others. Where every single element is built around one, simple goal.
To make the best work you could imagine.
We all have a role to play in achieving this.
It’s more than just down to the talent who actually creates the final work. It’s the people, the environment and the paymasters who all play an integral role to achieving that goal.
So for the next couple of weeks, I’m just going to talk about some of the Rules Of Rick … because if you’re going to learn the rules of creativity from anyone, then the person who has helped the most diverse group of artists and musicians become culturally and commercially successful is probably the one you want to hear it from.
They start tomorrow.
18 Comments
The Rubin series is one of their best things you’ve done, but haven’t we seen and read them all? Has this blog just become a dumping ground for the stuff you post on social media? Is that what you really think of us?
Comment by Bazza April 12, 2021 @ 8:03 amHave you just worked that out?
Comment by DH April 12, 2021 @ 8:05 amI will seek help immediately.
Comment by Bazza April 12, 2021 @ 8:07 amSo now you’re blogging your tweets? Bet you don’t stick to 280 characters.
Comment by John April 12, 2021 @ 8:05 am100%
Comment by DH April 12, 2021 @ 8:06 amEven his introduction to the tweets is longer than 280 characters.
Comment by Bazza April 12, 2021 @ 8:08 amYou know growing your beard isn’t going to make you Rubin, don’t you Rob?
Comment by DH April 12, 2021 @ 8:05 amIt’s worth a shot.
Comment by Rob April 12, 2021 @ 8:20 amAren’t you getting paid for this Rick stuff? Is this your way to double charge?
Comment by DH April 12, 2021 @ 8:06 amPaid??
Comment by Bazza April 12, 2021 @ 8:08 amYep. Covid really messed up the world.
Comment by DH April 12, 2021 @ 8:09 amI am being paid but not for this specifically. No one is that stupid.
Comment by Rob April 12, 2021 @ 8:20 amTransmedia blagging.
Comment by John April 12, 2021 @ 8:38 amTransmedia. There’s a term from the past.
Comment by George April 12, 2021 @ 8:41 amcampbell. you’ve proved theres a fuckload of people who are that stupid.
Comment by andy@cynic April 12, 2021 @ 8:56 amDo you know if the Rubin series will be coming out officially yet Robert?
Comment by George April 12, 2021 @ 8:42 amI am looking forward to this Robert. He is a cultural force. Did you not meet him in America?
Comment by Lee Hill April 12, 2021 @ 11:27 amHahaha … prepare for disappointment.
And yes I did. At his home in Malibu. I didn’t know till I got there and totally fanboy’d him.
Comment by Rob April 12, 2021 @ 1:00 pm