Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Advertising, Attitude & Aptitude, Comment, Creativity, Effectiveness, Insight, Planners, Planning
I posted this on LinkedIn a while back, but I thought I’d post here too. Not because I couldn’t be bothered to write an original post [when have I ever done that?] but because I think it is actually valuable for anyone working in addend.
If you work in an ad agency – especially in the planning or strategy department – you’re going to have a time in the year, where you’re writing award submissions.
Effies.
Warc.
You name it, you’ll be writing it.
And while I often judge these awards, the purpose of this post is not so I have an easier time reading the countless submissions … it’s so you can see how to make your case more persuasive.
The basic rule is this.
When you’ve written your paper and think you’ve got it “just right” …
I want you to read this article and then start again.
Yes, it is a food review.
Yes, it’s from the Birmingham Mail newspaper.
And yes, it’s from someone who describes herself as ‘common as muck’.
But when you read it, you’ll learn what wonderful writing, proper insight, real appreciation of the role of creativity and actual honesty looks like.
It’s a magnificent article.
One filled with appreciation and wonder when it could so easily have been a judgemental hatchet job.
I was so taken by it, I even wrote to the journalist offering to pay for their meal … and I don’t even do that for my team.
[For the record, she replied and said she couldn’t accept it. So I asked for her charity of choice and made a donation under her name instead. It was this one if anyone else feels inclined]
So if a food review in the Birmingham Mail newspaper can do it, you can do it too.
I’ll be watching.
And judging.
17 Comments so far
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That is glorious writing. I enjoyed every word as much as she appears to have enjoyed every mouthful. And of course you offered to buy her lunch. Classy move Mr Campbell.
Comment by George March 18, 2022 @ 8:23 amhe wont buy his fucking workmates a beer but some random journalist in fucking birmingham gets her fucking food bill taken care of. typical fucking campbell.
Comment by andy@cynic March 18, 2022 @ 8:34 amShe said no to the offer.
So I gave the money to a charity of her choice under her name.
With hindsight, a random email from a man in New Zealand offering to pay for her lunch sounds pretty dodgy. So I guess I should be grateful she gave me the name of her favoured charity rather than my name to the police.
Comment by Rob March 18, 2022 @ 8:42 amAnd for the record Andy. Her writing has given me more joy than your colleagueness. Hahahaha.
Comment by Rob March 18, 2022 @ 8:43 amfuck you campbell. shall we put it to a vote, you know youll lose.
Comment by andy@cynic March 18, 2022 @ 9:05 am#teamandy
Comment by Bazza March 18, 2022 @ 9:16 amHas Rob ever spent that much money on anything other than gadgets and cars?
Comment by Bazza March 18, 2022 @ 9:18 amI do find it amusing the man who asks for economy food when sat in the pointy end of a plane, pays for Michelin star food for an individual who describe themselves as common as muck.
Comment by George March 18, 2022 @ 10:37 amAlso the phrase “common as muck” has made me more homesick than I have been in years.
Comment by George March 18, 2022 @ 10:38 amOn a flight he didn’t pay for.
Comment by DH March 18, 2022 @ 10:55 amthats fucking good writing.
Comment by andy@cynic March 18, 2022 @ 8:33 amI loved this Robert. Thank you for sharing.
Comment by Mary Bryant March 18, 2022 @ 8:50 am“One filled with appreciation and wonder when it could so easily have been a judgemental hatchet job.”
Sums it up perfectly.
Comment by Pete March 18, 2022 @ 9:00 amTrans-global HR violation badge unlocked.
Comment by John March 18, 2022 @ 9:07 amThis made me laugh out loud.
Comment by Bazza March 18, 2022 @ 9:18 amits been unlocked for years doddsy. what you should have said is the prick has unlocked the virtual and random hr violation badge. thats fucking special achievement.
Comment by andy@cynic March 18, 2022 @ 9:25 amThat was a very enjoyable end to my day. Thank you Robert.
Comment by Lee Hill March 18, 2022 @ 10:17 am