Marketing Enthusiasm

John Grant, founder of St Lukes and author of several books on brands has defined an alternative to the much over used term 'engagement'.

John says: "Wouldn't it be nice if we launched an alternative better term? One which made it clearer what it does - beyond involving people".

The term he uses is 'enthusiasm'. You can read the post here.

How old is your brain?

David Armano, Creative Vice President at Digitas, discusses here how people think in different ways and how they solve problems.

Why are objectives important?

Over at the IPA's blog, Guy Murphy, Worldwide Planning Director of JWT, has posted some thoughts on objectives and asks why we place such little importance on them?

I particuarly like this analogy. "If the objective set by Dick Fosbury in the high jump was to complete a perfectly executed Western Roll we would not have heard of him. A Western Roll is an interim measure of success. Instead, he set himself the objective of ‘jumping as high as possible’. Enter the Fosbury Flop. Not only did getting the objective right achieve a better result, it released creativity and freedom into the strategy".

Go here to read the full post.

Digitourists and digitravellers

This is a great analogy that explains the differences between two types of digital consumers. These are referred to as digitourists and digitravellers. You can download 'Travelling without moving. The Digital Consumer' here

An end to pointless meetings?

Yes, we've all been in them from time to time. Meetings that go on for ages with no real purpose. For some top tips on organising your meetings more effectively and effciently have a read of this.

What constitutes a creative environment?

What constitutes a creative environment anyway? Is it the environment? The paint color? The furniture? The carpeting? Find out here.

I wouldn't advise sticking things on our newly painted walls, but check out On-my-desk. It might give you some inspiration on how to jazz up your desk and turn it into a 'creative space'.

The value of questions

Thanks to all those who spared 30 minutes over lunchtime.

Here is the presentation.



Chris (fully fledged Dullard Llama) Buckley

Google's green employer incentive

An interesting article here on what Google are doing with bikes. A good green marketing and employer branding combo

How should I fill in those bloody boxes?

For some it's the most important document in the agency, for others it's the most useless. Yes, it's the dreaded brief!

Is there a perfect briefing template? Well, it's being discussed here and here. What do you think?

The future of media planning?

Naked is an agency with a rather innovative approach to communications. You can read an interesting approach to media planning here from one of their senior strategists. This relates to the convergence of media providing a different perspective on communications planning

To borrow the book it references, pop up to planning.

Interestingness

Is it as simple as appealing to people's human nature? Do client's get too bogged in business issues and forget to come up with communications people just find interesting? How interesting is the project you delivered today?

The teachings of a curious communicator # 1 - The value of questions

By Chris Buckley.

What is it all about?: Ever wondered why some people seem to know more than you? And why some people's briefings seem to be better than yours? Or perhaps, why some people appear to get their way more often than you? Or why some people look good in anything? I can be of no use on the last point, but the rest might have something to do with how you ask questions.

Who's it for?: Anyone who has to ask questions at work - accounts through to creative.

Why should you go?: Not all questions are equal. Some questions will find you the answers you really need. Find out what these magical questions are.

What you will get out of it?: A framework for better questioning that will help you in all parts of life.

Where and when?: Thursday 12th April, in the bar. From 1.o5pm - 1.55pm.

What is an insight?

It's a small word, but rarely used properly. You can read about how it is misused and find out what this little word actually means here. If you want the full presentation on insights then download it here.

The Perfect Pitch

I went to an APG event a few weeks ago. This guy Jon Steel, author of The Perfect Pitch and Truth, Lies and Advertising was presenting. Jon is a pitch consultant for WPP and has a 90% success rate. Not too shabby!

You can borrow either of his books from the planning room, but I would reccommend The Perfect Pitch if you want to pick up some handy tips before for your next pitch. If however you want the lazy option, you can listen to an interview here.