So today is the 4th July.
As I’ve written many times, the day America celebrates its freedom is not really the day it should be celebrated.
As the old adage goes, no one is free until everyone is free.
And right now – right across the world – there’s a lot of people who aren’t free.
Held down by unfair policies, lack of investment and institutionalised racism and prejudice within organisations and governments.
Immigration is currently the favourite punchbag for so many politicians. And while I understand there has to be some sort of policy around this issue – blindly blaming people who are desperately trying to escape an increasingly desperate situation is disgraceful. Even more so when it is the foreign policies of these politicians that has contributed to the terrible situation these people face in the first place. But you know what’s even sicker? That more and more people seem to think voting for more and more extreme politicians is a good thing. Conveniently choosing to ignore the facts, the issues and the implications of their self-interested, fear-driven, ‘blinkered and blame’ thinking.
WHAT THE FUCK?!
The deliberate ignorance is out of control. Everywhere.
Trump claiming anything that doesn’t go his way is corrupt.
Germany and France increasingly turning to Far Right parties and policies.
And the Tory Government …
Oh my god, don’t get me started with those fucktards.
Nope … too late, especially as today is election day in the UK.
Because despite the Tories best attempts to gaslight us into believing they haven’t been in power for the last 14 years … that they are not the ‘powerful elite’ they keep blaming for scuppering their plans … that they didn’t give jobs and billions of tax payers money to their friends … that they didn’t lie and cheat during covid … that Brexit has been good for Britain … that the NHS is still really important to them … that they’re absolutely not racist despite wanting to ship out immigrants to RWANDA … not to mention also claiming the UK is still a relevant and powerful force in the world, they’ve failed.
Just like they’ve failed every man, woman and child [who isn’t a millionaire or gives donations to the party]. Not just for the last 14 years, but for the generations who will follow such is the damage their vindictive, vicious and thoughtless egotistical bullshit has caused.
And while common sense should destroy them, I still fear that at the ballot box, many will vote them to stay … a final act of selfishness to a nation of millions who have suffered at their hands. Another demonstration that while democracy is a precious right, we are now voting for our own needs more than those for everyone around us.
So after what is possibly the most political post I’ve written in 20 years of this blog, I say this …
Destroy the Tories. Destroy Reform. Vote Labour.
Fuck … vote for Basil Brush if you have to, just don’t let those right wing fucktards anywhere near any sort of influence ever again.
Which is why I ask my country to do one thing …
Be Great, Britain.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Advertising, Agency Culture, Attitude & Aptitude, Audacious, Brands, Comment, Communication Strategy, Creative Development, Creativity, Culture, Differentiation, Distinction, Emotion, Empathy, Experience, Management, Marketing, Marketing Fail, Nike, Perspective, Provocative, Relevance, Resonance, Strategy
Take a look at this photo of Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.
How good is it?
Two icons of tennis …
Hell, for people of a certain age, they’re still icons, despite this pic being taken in 1978.
But this isn’t about them, this is about McEnroe’s shirt.
McEnroe’s NIKE shirt.
Notice anything about it? Anything different at all?
Well let me put you out of your misery, because the answer is there’s absolutely nothing different about it whatsoever.
It’s the same logo as you see today.
It’s the same font as you see today.
It’s the same flawed genius athlete as you see today.
It is a demonstration of a brand who has always known who the fuck it is, what/who it stands for and what it believes.
A brand that made that logo ‘an asset’ through the decisions it makes and the athletes it associates with.
For over 50+ years.
No ‘relaunch’.
No ‘brand purpose’ statement.
No ‘one colour’ brand systems.
No ‘system 2’ decision making.
Hell, they’re even OK with making mistakes because they are focused on fighting, challenging, pushing and provoking athletes and sport rather than chasing popularity and convenience.
In fact, the greatest irony is the reason they’re currently in the shit is because certain people decided their 50+ years of pushing who they are, what/who they stand for and what they believe was now out of date. Irrelevant. Not ‘optimising or maximising’ their commercial value enough. So they turned their back on who they are to embrace what many modern marketing guru’s said they should be … ignoring the fact these people have never done – or achieved – anything close to what NIKE has and does.
Now it is very true there are certain things NIKE have been slow to embrace. Some are mindblowingly ridiculous and stupid. However, I would argue that is more because they shed so many people who loved and live for sport while replacing them with people who love and live for marketing processes and practices.
Because while there is – if done correctly – value in those things, it’s important to remember they never MAKE a brand, they – at best – help empower it. A bit.
That we’ve chosen to forget this to enable us to profit from an increasing number of companies who seek to disguise the fact they don’t know who they fuck they are, what/who they stand for and what they believe, highlights how much marketing has become an industry of platitudes, not provocation.
Which is why I will always remember what a friend of my Dad once told me.
He was a lawyer, but his words were very pertinent for marketing.
Especially a lot of what passes – or is celebrated – in marketing today.
He basically said: “Great companies don’t change who they are but always fight to change where they are”
Sadly, it feels too many have got things the wrong way around these days.
Filed under: Attitude & Aptitude, Authenticity, Brand Suicide, Comment, Communication Strategy, Embarrassing Moments, Fake Attitude, Marketing Fail
We all love recognition.
Whether a compliment from a colleague or an award from your industry … recognition is a wonderful reward for your efforts.
Not that it is always done with that objective or intent, but if feels good and – in certain circumstances – can lead to a whole host of opportunities, from relationships to promotions.
But there are occasions where recognition sucks.
I don’t mean that in terms of the type of recognition Liz Truss achieved when she became the shortest serving [and economy destroying] Prime Minister in the history of the UK, I mean in terms of this …
‘The Most Innovative Leaders Transforming The Future of Energy in 2024’ …
What the fuck???
I’m not saying that simply because of their attempt to associate me with it, I’m saying that because it’s ego-filled bullshit.
“Innovative”.
“Transforming”.
“Future”.
My god … are they trying to play corporate buzzword bingo???
But that aside, why am I getting sent this email?
Yes, I worked with FFI – where we did our Rick and Morty collab – and yes, they are very innovative, but they don’t mention them in the email so I can only assume they have decided to specifically and deliberately ‘target’ me.
But what is even more hilarious is how they’re desperately trying to insinuate I’m connected to ‘the most innovative leaders transforming the future of energy in 2024’ … when in reality, all they’re trying to do is get me to advertise in their magazine.
Except there’s 2 problems.
1. I know I’d never be nominated to be in that group, because …
2. I don’t work in the industry of that group.
Which suggests either their database of information is more flawed than a Tory Politician or they’re just utterly stupid.
And here’s the thing …
While pandering to ego – either overtly or suggestively – can work, you better make sure you have your facts and context right because otherwise the bubble of delusion you’re trying to get people inside will pop and ne replaced with a great big spotlight that shines bright on the bullshit of it all.
Given Sam – the author of the email – has failed to recognise this fact from my continued disregard for his email, I’ve replied to his email with a link to this post.
So Sam … if you’re reading this, 10/10 for persistence. 1/10 for believability.
Today, it’s this one’s birthday.
Her seventeenth.
Or, in cat years, her 84th.
And while she’s definitely showing her age in her speed, she still has her Singaporean street cat, street smarts.
Not just in terms of being a cranky, demanding, wonderful asshole. But also knowing how to get us to do whatever she wants and requires. From coming downstairs to help her get under the covers of our bed … to feeding her the Friskies she has adored all her life to not being pissed at her she still darts out the front door when she wants the sense of freedom. [Though that’s also because she only has the energy to then sit under our car rather than run away]
I love this cat.
I love her moods, her quirks, her ways.
I love that she has lived literally all around the World – in 7 countries to be exact – so now takes everything in her stride … to the point she’s not bothered – or tempted – by all the birds that fly around our house in the trees or even the bird that lives in our house. Even when Sky is out of her cage and dive-bombing her in her bed.
I know 17 is a ripe old age for a cat, but frankly, that’s something I try not to think about.
The reality is she has given us a lot more than we’ve given her [and we’ve given her a fuck-ton] so I don’t want to think that one day that may stop.
Though the reality is even when she’s gone, she’ll still be with us.
In our hearts. In our memories and in how she has shaped, influenced and brain-washed our behaviour.
Which would be the thing she would be happiest about the most.
But – thankfully – we’re not there yet. In fact, the vet thought she was waaaaaaaay younger than she actually is, such is the quality of her general health … so we will celebrate her Royal Highness Catness’ special, special day with Friskies and hugs … even though we accept we will only get the hugs because of the Friskies.
Happy birthday Rosie. You’re fucking great. [Even when you’re not]
Filed under: Agency Culture, Attitude & Aptitude, Comment, Context, Culture, Politics, UK
Following on from yesterday’s post about the UK election …
The campaigning has stopped.
The Tory lies has been told.
The votes are cast.
And now we wait.
We wait for the hopeful demonstration of judgement.
Of their lies.
Of their corruption.
Of their hypocrisy and shame.
Of their wilful disregard of care.
Of their viscous attacks on the young, the poor and the NHS.
But most of all, we wait – I hope – for the people’s revenge.
And yet there are those that will still vote for them.
Who spout lines such as, “taxes will be higher under a labour government” … and then quoting the 1970’s, while conveniently ignoring the destruction of a country and it’s people’s in the present day. A present day that has been presided over by the government they still see as positive despite the last 14 years.
As I said to someone yesterday, if you can still see the good in them, then you’re either very rich or very evil.
And it got worse …
I’ve seen some ad agencies putting out [obviously self-funded] ‘ads’ that tell people what policy they should vote for. Except they show no political affiliation and the cause they’re ‘standing for’ is rather ambiguous … mainly because it’s pretty obvious their real motivation is to try and hijack the moment to gain some PR for their ego.
It’s embarrassing.
Actually it’s more than that, it’s insulting – given the poverty and depravation millions are trying to deal with.
If you want to take a stand, say it.
If you want to make a difference, try harder.
But if you have nothing to say, shut the fuck up.
But there was a bright point …
A clip that beautifully and systematically surmised and destroyed the incompetence of a Tory Government who forgot their job was to lead the country, rather than serve themselves.
And within this clip was a line, that is possibly the best bit of writing since Arsène Wenger said, “Kevin Keegan thinks tactics are a small mint” … and I include all of Succession’s viscous tongue masterpieces in this declaration as well.
It was this:
[ex-Minister of culture] “Nadine Dorries. A woman so stupid, she thinks Channel 4 is a brand of perfume”.
How good is that?
What a reminder of the power of words. The art and craft of them.
How tragic so many brands think they’re just for decoration around a product shot or a Getty Image pic.
But that aside, check out the clip.
I should warn you it’s NSFW. However it is very appropriate to describe 14 years of Conservative lies and destruction.
So click on it as we wait.
And hope sanity finally prevails.