Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Advertising, Age, Attitude & Aptitude, Brilliant Marketing Ideas In History, Context, Creative Development, Creativity, Culture, Cunning, Environment, Media, Mischief, Sport
A few weeks ago I saw something on twitter that has deeply conflicted me.
It was this …
That’s right, they’re lawn bowl mats … sponsored by Co-op Funerals.
Now I don’t know much about bowls.
I know they attract a much broader age of ‘player’ these days, but I’m still pretty sure the majority still are of the more elderly variety.
And given I’m 52, we’re talking proper old.
I could be wrong.
But given someone thought it was a good idea for Co-op funerals to sponsor the mat, it seems I may not be. And this is what has had me conflicted for weeks.
On one hand, it’s just fucking genius isn’t it.
Old people.
Funerals.
Chance to make arrangements before someone else has to.
But it’s also just a bit evil, isn’t it?
Old people.
Out enjoying themselves.
Message to remind them of their impending demise.
If I allowed comments, this is the sort of post where I know they would come into their own. But I don’t … which means I’ll be getting extra emails of commentary and abuse from the same people who used to do that on here.
And I don’t mind admitting I’m quite excited about that, And quite interested in what they’ll say.
Because I have the sneaky suspicion they may think it’s clever.
And that old people may find it both slightly amusing and kinda useful.
And that by doing something like this, it becomes a social media campaign by fact of it being infinitely shareable.
Or … they may say no one will give a shit because all it will be to them is a free mat so they can rest their knee as they try to destroy that prick from up the road who always seems to win.
But to whoever did this, I admire both your smarts and your mischief … because I haven’t seen something so perfect since [I think] Naked got their client – cheap meat in a can maker – Fray Bentos to sponsor some local Darts Players.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Attitude & Aptitude, Authenticity, Context, Craft, Creativity, Culture, Emotion, Environment, Imagination, Immaturity, Legend, Marketing, Media, Relevance, Resonance
No, I don’t know what’s with all the postbox posts [even though in reality, there’s only been 2 in 16 years] but just like that old adage of ‘you wait for a bus and then 2 come at once’ … here is a second post about postboxes in a week.
First of all, DO NOT PANIC.
It is not as sentimental as yesterday’s.
Probably.
But recently someone sent me a photo of this …
Yes, that’s a sticker rather than a real ‘blue plaque’.
Yes, it’s about Danger Mouse rather than a real* historical figure.
But it’s still absolutely fucking awesome.
For those who don’t know what a blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in public places that commemorate a link between that specific location and a famous person, event, or a former building that serves as a historical marker.
[Yes, I did get that from Wikipedia]
For those who don’t know who Danger Mouse is … then I just feel sorry for you, because he’s the best. At least the 80’s version of him … not to mention his sidekick, Penfold – who a certain past commentator on this blog once said I had an alarming resemblance to.
Though he also once said that about the comedian Harry Hill … all because that I once turned up at a Coca-Cola event in a suit.
That said, when I look at a photo of that event – from 1996 – even I have to admit there is more than a passing resemblance to both of them. Though as tragic as that is, I ended up winning ‘best dressed’ for simply not wearing shit jeans and an ironic t-shirt, which pleased me no end but pissed off all the very glamorous female guests who were in attendance.
Anyway, if you need more info on Danger Mouse, please go here.
And to see me – I mean Penfold – please go here.
Or just look at this …
But the real reason I love this letterbox with the Danger Mouse blue circle as a sticker is that someone did it.
They decided it would be worth while doing.
Which means having the idea.
Designing it.
Getting it made.
Then going to the postbox on Baker Street in London – where Danger Mouse lives – and sticking it there.
And not just anywhere on the postbox, but low – where DM enters and leaves his place.
Some may say that’s madness.
Some may say that’s a waste of time and money.
But to me, that’s an act of wonderfulness.
A true commitment to craft, creativity and authenticity.
And what’s better is that while many may miss it, those who see it not only love it … but tell people about it. Which is a lot more than many of the multi-million, 48 sheet billboard, TV ads and digital DTC campaigns ever achieve.
So to whoever did this. Thank you.
You restored my faith in craft, commitment and ridiculousness.
And reignited my love of Danger Mouse. [But not Penfold]
__________________________________________________________________________
* Even though Danger Mouse was a fictional character, he lives in my memories and heart and that’s more than some living, breathing people … which means Danger Mouse is real to me. Deal with it.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Attitude & Aptitude, Audio Visual, Brand Suicide, Communication Strategy, Confidence, Content, Context, Corona Virus, Corporate Evil, Crap Products In History, Culture, Cunning, Daily Fail, Daily Mail, Marketing Fail, Media, Prejudice
Tomorrow I’ve written a positive post about some of the stuff Corona virus has revealed we are capable of being.
Today I’m writing about the worst of it.
Specifically The Daily Mail.
As we all know, they have become one of the most successful newspapers and internet destinations in the World thanks to their fear-mongering, shock-creating, prejudice-encouraging bullshit, all wrapped up in the illusion of being a family newspaper caring about family values.
If Donald Trump was a newspaper, he’d be The Daily Mail.
They have absolutely revelled in the corona virus.
Equally challenging the scientists viewpoints and then the people who don’t follow it.
They play both sides with such obviousness [see photo above] and yet they – like Fox TV – claim to be consistent, fair and balanced.
The fact they get away with it means either no one believes them or – as I fear – their readers don’t question a word they say.
While they like to focus their hate on minority groups, no one is immune from their hate.
Even the middle-England elderly readers – their core audience in the UK – cop it with headlines that suggest ‘they will all be left to die’ or ‘isolation till 2021’.
They are the embodiment of ‘take no prisoners’ …
For me, they are basically a far right political party.
However, unlike the far right, they have found a much more powerful way to operate.
They don’t openly show their hatred … oh no, they slowly and quietly infiltrate mainstream society so they can undermine the minorities, the unemployed and the poor by making prejudice, illness and poverty seem the words and beliefs of the irrational.
To be fair to them, they may not even realise it.
They are so myopic that they fail to appreciate other people have different circumstances.
Which is why they – like that other prick, Piers Morgan – don’t realise their commentary is so harmful because they’ve never experienced any of the issues they are so quick to either claim don’t exist or they would never advocate … like prejudice, racism and poverty.
As you’ll read in tomorrow’s post, corona has revealed the best of many companies and news organisations.
It has changed the dynamic between corporation and society.
It’s why I hope after this, the Daily Mail is seen for what it is, a social manipulator – a company who only acts in the interests of its owner and no one else.
A great villain for a Bond movie, but not a great company for society.
Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, America, Attitude & Aptitude, Comment, Corporate Evil, Culture, Media
We all know Trump is a terrible human being.
One who lies, cheats and manipulates with an ease that only someone who has acted that way all their life could pull off.
But just when you thought you had seen the worst of him, he reveals a new low.
COVID-19 has been the ignition for this.
One of the things I’ve found fascinating about this virus is how Trump and his media organisations have switched from claiming it’s nothing but a hyped-up agenda – designed by people intent of damaging them – to wanting to position themselves as the heroes, who are not only protecting the people, but are hell bent on finding a cure.
While that is obviously bollocks, even if people did believe it, there is one fact that should make them question what’s being said …
More proof that sadly, a lot of politics – especially in the US and UK – has little to do with protecting the people, but protecting the politicians position and power as well as the corporations who support them.
Filed under: China, Chinese Culture, Death, Empathy, Insight, Marketing, Media, Planners
When I first moved to China, I heard of this ad man who was highly regarded for his authentic insight into Asian culture but without the smug arrogance shown by so many of his peers.
His name was Ian Gee.
A few years later, I had the pleasure of meeting him when we were both invited guests on an episode of the now defunct, Thoughtful China.
Unsurprisingly he stole the show with his smart comments delivered in his understated charismatic way.
Despite his brilliance making me feel even more of an imposter than I normally do, we hit it off and while we only met in person that one time, I was thrilled we stayed in touch – often instigated by comments he made on this blog.
Sadly today I heard from his son that Ian passed away yesterday from cancer.
Few people knew he was ill because he kept it to himself as he didn’t want it to define him.
He need not of worried because lots of people know he was a kind, generous, humourous, intelligent man with unwavering and unapologetic standards for doing what was best for the work, the people around him and the culture he represented … and anyone who tried to shortcut or short-change had better watch out.
It was a true privilege Ian.