The other day someone asked me: “Didn’t someone in your office once throw a Barry Manilow record at Michael Cain?” The answer was “not quite” but the memory jog was enough to nudge me out of retirement. A long, long time ago (and also, now) advertising companies were struggling to differentiate themselves from each other.Continue reading “What’s In A Name?”
Author Archives: diariesofmedia
No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
It’s been a while! Another wonderful contribution from a guest contributor. It’s all true. I was there throughout. What started with laughter ended with blood (and after a respectful break, more laughter). Enjoy! A long time ago in 2011, a common practice for agency folk in the media industry was (and let’s face it, stillContinue reading “No Such Thing As A Free Lunch”
The Company You Keep
A long long time ago since forever everyone was boycotting stuff. Still are. Advertising platforms declared each other evil and clients convinced themselves they saw Lizzie Proctor dancing with the Devil and pulled budgets left and right. Mostly from the Left. Younger readers might be forgiven for assuming that the current kicking Facebook is gettingContinue reading “The Company You Keep”
Getting Onboard
A long long time ago in 2014 the advertising industry was nobly and publicly trying to increase its Diversity. Everyone was on board with the challenge, no one had agreed the details of the brief, everyone started work anyway. It was very important to the powers that be that our company was seen as “leadingContinue reading “Getting Onboard”
Living On The Edge
A long long time ago in 2008 things were getting edgy. Comedy was edgy. Music was edgy. Anyone worth their salt was edgy and naturally adverts desperately wanted in on it. Creative agencies were falling over themselves to make ads for Cancer Research or PETA simply to allow them to add some disturbing photos ofContinue reading “Living On The Edge”
The Future’s Bright
Coming out of retirement with the grace and style of an Elvis kung fu demo (if you’re confused ignore what follows and search, then return) with another guest contribution. All true – I was there. Enjoy! A long time ago in the mid-noughties, alcohol was the boozy lifeblood of the advertising and media industry. IfContinue reading “The Future’s Bright”
Life Moves Pretty Fast
I know the last one was the last one but we’re back due to lukewarm demand (think T’Pau reunion or Police Academy 7). Admittedly, more “Bof” than “Encore” but I’ve been encouraged to share the story of the worst grad ever. A long long time ago in 2010 I inherited a truly terrible junior teamContinue reading “Life Moves Pretty Fast”
No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
This is the last one. Thanks to everyone who’s read, contributed or been in touch and to anyone who was there at the time. While there’s been quite a bit of ridicule flying about it’s mostly been done with affection. There are some truly ridiculous people in the wonderful world of advertising but they areContinue reading “No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer”
This Girl Could
A long long time ago from about 2011 onwards women, girls, feminism, femininity and all things that weren’t male were front and centre. The whole industry was falling over itself to rebalance years of male dominance and show who run the world. Female empowerment was massively en Vogue (both metaphorically and on the front cover)Continue reading “This Girl Could”
The Really Real McCoy
A long long time ago in 2013 my client was a bank. Back then banks weren’t the paragons of moral virtue they are today. In between financing some truly terrifying dictators around the world and evicting the residents of a not for profit old people’s home that missed some mortgage payments, my bank spent aContinue reading “The Really Real McCoy”
Diaries Of Media 