Filed under: 2025, A Bit Of Inspiration, Airports, America, China, Creativity, England, Experience, Great Ads In History, Legend, New Zealand, Planning, Respect, Royalty
So this is my last post for just over a week.
I know, I know … I just did that a few weeks ago.
But while any trip overseas is a privilege, this is almost indescribable in its beautiful madness.
Or it would have been, until plans got slightly changed.
ARGHHHHHHHHH.
I must admit, I was devastated when I first got told because as I hinted on my 1st Oct post … it was going to be one of the most insane, wonderful, special, magical and utterly, utterly bonkers trips and experiences of my entire life.
ENTIRE. LIFE.
And I was happy so say that, even if it turned it into a total fucking disaster.
But alas, things got changed and delayed so while I am going away, it’s to a different place for a much shorter time and to meet a rep of the individual – rather than the actual individual, which will now happen in late October and then a big event thingymajig in early 2026. So while that’s a bit disappointing for me, it’s still great news for you because while I’ll now be back in NZ for some of next week, there will only be a few posts over next week.
You’re welcome.
So with that, I wish you all a good weekend … and to say goodbye, I can’t think of a nicer way to do that than leave you with the great Dolly Parton singing a song that perfectly sums up my week ahead.
Have fun. Take care.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, America, Attitude & Aptitude, China, Culture, Family, Shanghai
I was in NYC recently when I saw this:
I love it.
But putting aside the fact that in America right now, you don’t get to define who you are – or who you can be – the Government seem to be doing that [or should I say, ‘dictating’ that], the reality is moving to any new place enables you to reinvent or add to yourself.
It’s a wonderful feeling … to start again or to not be held back by past perceptions. It’s like a rebirth … but the challenge is being able to resist the urge to go back to comfortable.
The nice bits.
The easy bits.
That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice everything you love, but the secret to reinvention is to be open to everything new.
I think I’ve written about the time I met someone who had just moved to Shanghai who asked me where they could get their favorite Belgian cheese … and I replied, “Belgium?”
I get when you move you want to have some things that give you comfort, familiarity and stability … but when you are trying to replicate the life you once had, then it’s highly likely you’re not going to find moving city/country works for you.
Or you’re not going to get as much out of it as you could.
Always looking back.
Always finding the faults.
As I’ve said a lot, too many people approach the idea of moving with the fear of what they’ll leave behind rather than the excitement of what they can gain. I get it, that’s normal … but at some point, you have to make a decision and embrace the ups and downs of all that will come of it – especially in the early days.
Staying in one place forever, is perfectly fine.
Being happy and comfortable where you are is a beautiful gift.
But if you want to see who you are or who you can be – and you don’t have contexts, circumstances or issues that demand you to stay where you are – then the most powerful way to do that is to change where you live.
It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
Which is why – much to our bank managers annoyance – we’re not done with it. Hahaha.
[Just to be clear, this is not an announcement we’re moving countries again. It’s just saying we’re not moving countries yet]
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, America, Anniversary, Context, Culture, History, Politics, Prejudice, Racism
So even though Trump has basically banned DE&I, I feel it is important that today – given its July 4 – is a day where I point out that while lots of Americans are going crazy celebrating their freedom from the Brits, it’s a day that is only relevant to part of America, not all.
As if anyone needs reminding … Independence Day is a white American celebration, and given the way the current administration are behaving to anyone who is not white – regardless of their heritage, parentage or passport – it’s not something that should be celebrated as a universal, national holiday. If they want that, then it should be June 19.
You can find out why here … but I just can’t understand how a nation can celebrate freedom when they know only some were free. Worse, a nation who loves to promote its Christian values and yet operates – and votes for – the most un-Christian behaviors you could get.
What bothers me most is the US – despite its current issues – is a pretty awesome country.
I also appreciate the role the day has in their national calendar, however given it prides itself on being ‘the land of the free’, it would be wonderful if they lived up to that label rather than down to a stained tradition.
Have a good weekend.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Advertising, Agency Culture, Ambition, America, Amsterdam, Asia, Attitude & Aptitude, Auckland, Australia, Bands, Billionaire, Birkenhead, Bonnie, Campaign Magazine, Canada, Career, China, Colenso, Colleagues, Comment, Context, Corporate Evil, Creativity, Culture, Dog, Dream Small, Easter, Empathy, England, Experience, Family, Fashion, Fatherhood, Hong Kong, Japan, Jill, LaLaLand, London, Management, Martin Weigel, Metallica, Michael Jordan, Miley, Mr Ji, Mum, Mum & Dad, Music, My Fatherhood, New Zealand, Nike, Otis, Paul, Paula, R/GA, Relationships, Rockstar Games, Rosie, Shanghai, Singapore, Sunshine, Sydney, The Kennedys, The Kennedys Shanghai, UK, Virgin Atlantic, WeigelCampbell, Wieden+Kennedy
I have written before that apart from my friend Paul, I owe almost everything in my life to the fact I left the UK and went on an adventure.
Without that, I would not have met my wife … would not have had my son … would not have had my pets … would not be working with rock stars … would not have had all the life experiences and adventures I’ve been fortunate to enjoy and almost certainly would not have the career I currently enjoy.
That’s pretty huge when you think about it and while there’s a whole list of people I need to thank for making it all possible, one of them is an old boss.
Who was a prick.
I had a rather complex relationship with this individual.
Because while they were pompous, petty, condescending and rude, they were also smart, knowledgable and experienced.
On top of that, they gave me a shot on a couple of projects that they probably shouldn’t have. I should point out that wasn’t because they necessarily believed in me – it was more there was no one else to do it – but I appreciated it all the same.
Anyway, when I decided to leave – to go explore opportunities in another country – they were pretty pissed off with me.
While I’d love to say it was because they didn’t want me to go, the reality was they were frustrated I was leaving after they’d agreed to give me a payrise.
That this ‘rise’ was still below market rate and they’d fucked me around for literally 2 years, seemed to have completely slipped their mind … which is maybe why on the day I left, they thought it would be ‘funny’ to write the following comment in my leaving card.
“You’ll be back. Come crawling”.
I remember watching him going around telling people what he had written, laughing hilariously at his own ‘joke’ and while I didn’t take it too much to heart – because everyone knew he was a bit of a prick – it still hurt.
Little did I know then, how those 5 little words would play such an pivotal role in how my career would turn out.
You see, when I ended up in this other country, I initially found it very difficult.
Not just because I didn’t have friends, contacts or a job … but because my Dad was very ill back in the UK.
In all honesty, the temptation to go back was huge but there were 2 reasons I stuck it out.
1. I wanted to show my gratitude to my parents for supporting and encouraging me to go, despite them going through a terribly tough time because of my Dad’s major stroke.
2. Those 5 little words.
While I’d like to think the former was the biggest motivator, I fear it may have been the latter.
That’s pretty pathetic isn’t it … especially as I could have gone back without having to go back to that old job.
But I wasn’t going to let him have the satisfaction directly or indirectly.
And so I persevered.
Pushed, prodded, walked the streets, did shitty, temporary roles … anything that kept me from gaving to go back with my tail betweeen my legs.
And it everntually worked out.
Not because of any talent I did or did not have, but because of my perseverence.
And willingness to take any bullshit salary … hahaha.
But for me, getting a break was my main objective … because while I knew I was not the smartest strategst, I knew my work ethic meant I could out-work most.
Now don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that is a toxic trait – but it is my trait – and back then, it was a way for me to prove my worth to agencies/clients who didn’t have to give me a chance or keep me on board.
Of course, over the years, my motivation for continuing to explore the possibilities of the World and my career have evolved.
These days it is far more about wanting to feel I’d be making my parents proud than it is me reacting to 5 little words from a toxic, little manager.
But I also have to acknowledge that without that persons toxic motivation, it is unlikely I would be in the situtation I currently enjoy.
So thank you AC … you were a strange little man, but for all the fucked up shit you did – and there was plenty – you did one thing right, even if it was wrong.
And while I doubt you even remember me – let alone care what I’ve done – it doesn’t matter.
Because I didn’t come back and didn’t come crawling and so for that, I won, so there.
It’s Easter long-weekend that then leads into a big week for me/Colenso – from us hosting Fergus and his OnStrategy podcast to me saying goodbye [for the second time] to someone who is very special to me … so have a great weekend, overeat Chocolate and Hot Cross Buns and I’ll see you Tuesday.
Till then, this is for you AC.
With thanks.
Just when you think the World couldn’t get more batshit crazy, it has.
Of course, at the heart of it is mainly privileged, old, white men … but it is reaching new levels of insanity.
First there was this:
The President of the United States said this.
And then the Whitehouse reposted it.
What the actual fuck?
That’s the sort of shit a tinpot dictator would say. Or a criminal.
Which kind-of is perfect given he’s both.
Using lies and excuses to justify his own ego and control.
It would be funny if it wasn’t so dangerous, but after basically sending his puppet, Vance, to tell Europe they are a greater threat to the World than Putin … you can see we’re in for a very rough period-of-time. And yet we will continue to see the Republican party back his every move because for all their claims of being ‘American patriots, they will always choose power over truth.
Don’t get me wrong, the Democrats have a lot to answer for all this too given they had years to get their shit together and yet couldn’t be bothered – signaling they were either complete delusionists or egotists.
I’m just waiting for Richard Nixon’s estate to demand a pardon for Watergate under the guise he was simply trying to protect his country and it is only because the rest of the country were too stupid to realise it, that he went down for it.
And if you think that’s not mad enough, then there’s this.
Yep, the Daily Mail – who continue their claims of being a newspaper – wrote this.
Hell, even The Onion wouldn’t try and pull that off, but here we are …
What’s scarier is they’re not even doing it under the banner of ‘alternative truths’ … under Trump, they feel they can just state it as truth.
We not live in a time where we value:
Dogma over facts.
Force over fairness.
Ego over consideration.
Which begs the question, ‘what the fuck is the point of having strategists these days, when anyone can just say or do whatever they want?’ Same with market research. Then there’s more important shit like scientists and law.
Of course we are, in some way, all complicit to allowing this situation to happen.
It wasn’t something overnight, it has been building up for years and years.
I just hope that the wake-up button isn’t what has been required in the past … not just because I don’t want even more suffering, but because I don’t want to see countless posts on Linkedin from people saying:
’10 things you can learn about negotiation from war’.