Karl Malden. As pitchman for American Express, he captured our country’s blind optimism and secret fears.
July 6, 2009
I’d forgotten about Karl Malden…
For many years Malden was the voice of American Express, during a period of time that is beginning to look more and more like advertising’s golden age. In our industry, the 80s were about storytelling, big budgets and celebrities. Places like BBDO and Leo Burnett ruled the roost. Campaigns for Pepsi featuring Michael Jackson (also newly dead) and Amex’s “Don’t Leave Home Without It” captured, if not defined, popular culture.
Part of me misses none of that but I can’t deny the shiny, cosmetic optimism that radiated from work like Pepsi. Or in Malden’s case, the sense of security and protection he offered for his client, and by extension, us. All very Ronald Reagan-like, when you think about it.
Below Malden’s Cop-like veneer, the campaign mustered America’s secret fear of other people, places and things while cleverly offering safe harbor via traveler’s checks. The operative word in the brilliant tagline was “home” and home meant the United States. It was American Express after all.
Arguably paranoid and protectionist, the American Express campaign personified by Karl Malden captured the zeitgeist of Ronald Reagan’s America brilliantly…like it or not.
Happy Independence Day from the Gods of Advertising!
July 2, 2009
The 4th of July. Firworks. Barbecue. Beer. (Since I don’t drink I will O.D. on the first two.)
However you celebrate, please take a moment and remember our marketing jobs are totally dependent on the free market system synonymous with our country. Whether you’re a Whopper Virgin or The Most Interesting Man in the World, this is your sweet land of liberty from Snuggie to shining Snuggie!
So go out there and celebrate this country’s independence from Great Britain (unless you work for WPP) by blowing a small portion of it up.
Another brick toward building Chicago’s creative reputation.
Bringing the Chicago Creative Club back into the limelight continues to be a priority for me and should be for anyone else who derives a living in our local industry: creatives, account persons, planners, clients, press, students, artists reps and vendors.
Last year we made great strides in turning around the much-maligned advertising awards show. Even the inimitable Lewis Lazare acknowledged the event to be a success…if also a work in progress.
The CCC took place at the Stadium Club in Soldier’s Field and was attended by several hundred people. Good work was heralded and the right stuff won.
But the main intent was, and continues to be, fostering community within our ranks. We are stronger together than we are apart. The CCC is now locking and loading for this year’s event in September. Below is an email that went out to agency leadership in the greater Chicago Community. Instead of hundreds of attendees they are looking for over a thousand. My agency will be there in force, with both people and submissions. Will you?
In recent weeks, several of you have asked for an update, regarding this year’s CCC Chicago ‘No Show’ and so, without further adieu, here is your update.
Though there seems to have been some mild confusion surrounding the goal of this year’s show, let us say emphatically that our goal is to honor this city’s best creative work, Period. We just happen to think that the best way to do this is to do so in the context of the biggest and best ad party this city has ever seen.
To hand out awards is simply not enough and so, we’ve decided to take this opportunity to develop a greater sense of pride, as well as, community, amongst this city’s creative masses.
In the words of our very own Otis Gibson, proprietor of Gertrude, ‘This is a killer party, where an award show just happens to break out’.
We are set for Thursday night, September 10th, at the Riviera Theater. The nights’ festivities will feature a cocktail reception, and a fully interactive award ceremony and a kick ass party, featuring big name musical entertainment.
Now, this is where you all come in. We need your agency’s support. We need your creative support in the form of work submissions. And we need pounds of flesh. We want your people to show up September 10th. We want to fill the Riv and we want people to know that this town is wide awake and still dreaming very big dreams, on behalf of ourselves, and yes, our clients as well.
-Co Chairs: Matt Brennok/Liz Ross/Katie Juras
Poster for JPA “Choke”
Wonderful news…
After being blanked at Cannes, Euro RSCG Chicago is proud and delighted to receive a people’s choice award for our campaign on behalf of the Juvenile Protective Association.
While not a Lion, it does represent a “Best Of” winner as judged by the people and attendees at Cannes…and it is in a category of human consequence. In addition, we got to meet and shake hands with the mayor of Cannes. I’ve attached the press release below.
From left: Euro Worldwide CEO, David Jones, the Mayor, moi, Blake Ebel.
CHICAGO, June 29, 2009— Juvenile Protective Association (JPA) and Euro RSCG Chicago were honored for their print ad “Choke” on Friday, June 26, 2009, in Cannes, France by the Mayor of Cannes and ACT Responsible. In conjunction with the International Advertising Festival, ACT Responsible showcases the best cause-related work via a public exhibition in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. As part of the exhibition, the public is asked to vote for their favorite piece of work that is on display. This year, Euro RSCG Chicago was awarded a special people’s choice award by the Mayor of Cannes and ACT Responsible.
“Choke” is one of three print ads created for JPA that carry the tagline “verbal abuse is still abuse.” The arresting photography incorporates images of a hand that are made up of shocking, insulting words. The hand is grabbing a little boy’s neck in Choke, a girl’s hair in “Hair Pull” and holding a fist to a girl’s head in “Punch.”
“We’re honored that the public has chosen our work with JPA to be what they consider the best, most effective work on display in the ACT Responsible Exhibition in Cannes,” said Blake Ebel, executive creative director at Euro RSCG Chicago. “Our goal was to communicate that verbal abuse is as damaging as physical abuse to a child and cannot be tolerated. I believe that this campaign does just that.”
Euro RSCG’s “Tck, Tck, Tck” campaign
And so we’ve come to the end of another Cannes Festival, albeit a smaller, more restrained version. Having come up empty (save for a humanitarian award given to us by the Mayor of Cannes!), I’m leaving a day early. Let the big winners go to the show this evening. I’m saving my agency many hundreds of dollars by checking out. I hope Angelo, our CFO, is reading!
Of course I’m frustrated by not picking up any hardware. Who wouldn’t be? We had several items I thought maybe, just maybe… mais non!
For me, the highpoint of Cannes this year was the Act Responsibly presentation hosted by Euro RSCG, featuring its Worldwide CEO, David Jones and Nobel Prize winner, Kofi Annan. The topic was Climate Justice. Kofi spoke eloquently about time running out for Earth with regard to global warming. On the theme of time, David introduced an integrated campaign entitled “Tck, Tck, Tck,” designed to convince world leaders meeting in Copenhagen this December to pass serious legislation or face “catastrophic consequences.”
But it was the event’s third speaker, Bob Geldoff who stole the show. He riveted the packed theatre by neither pulling punches nor politicizing the issues. “That’s Kofi’s job,” he said. “Not mine.” Indeed, Geldoff was a house-on-fire beseeching the ad world to do far more than a banner ad here or a poster there. He wanted a full-blown commitment and one, he claimed, few of us are willing to make. However, he said, if we didn’t “by 2050 Cannes would be under water.”
I urge you all to visit the website Euro RSCG created, forclimatejustice.org to see what you can do…and to see a pretty cool, open-sourced, integrated campaign.
Final observations…
I was surprised at how many terrier dogs are kept as pets in Cannes, particularly the West Highland breed. As some of you know, most restaurants (even the posh) allow canines in with their masters. On whole, these delightful dogs are better behaved than some ad people.
How apropos: The Mayor of Cannes is a former advertising executive, having worked at DDB.
Celebrity sightings: Belinda Carlysle, Roger Daltry, Spike Lee and, of course, Kofi Annan Bob Geldoff.
Best meal: Tetu. A seafood restaurant several miles outside Cannes, specializing in Bouillabaisse. To die for.
Big winner: Among other Lions, Queensland Tourism won three Grand prizes before the festival even climaxed.
Favorite Faux Pas: Mistaking Michael Conrad (The Berlin School) with uber-famous French advertising icon, Jean Marie Dru.
Favorite Bob Geldoff quip: calling the Havas network “Hamas.”
Saddest moment: hearing from a former hot shot fellow creative director, now struggling, that he’d paid his own way to Cannes…
Happiest moment: listening to U2’s new album while jogging up the French coast. “Magnificent!”
I wish to thank Talent Zoo for providing me this forum and you, Gentle Reader, for providing me an audience. God bless and have a wonderful summer.
From Talent Zoo, #canneslions
A new kind of agency!
I attended the USA Today dinner honoring all the US judges participating in the Cannes festival. As it is every year, the dinner was at famed restaurant, Le Moulin de Mougins just outside of Cannes.
At the event were many of our country’s leading advertising and marketing professionals, including the following: Bob Greenberg, Gerry Graph (jury), Michael Roth, David Lubars (head juror), Tom Bernadin, Ty Montegue, Howard Draft, Tom Bedecarre’ and dozens of others whose names and faces you’d recognize. Other jurors invited were Rich Silverstein, Nick Brien and David Droga. In addition, I was able to identify various marketing big wigs from Kraft, P&G and McDonalds.
You get the idea. If someone dropped the proverbial bomb on Le Moulin the US ad industry would be decimated. Which got me to thinking…
What if someone did, God forbid, drop a bomb on the place? After the dust cleared, would our much-maligned industry suffer even further or, as many cynics have suggested, would the elimination of so many big shots suddenly clear the decks for a faster, brighter and sharper version of…them?
I know this sounds morbid. Terribly so. But that’s what I thought about as I exited the restaurant into a parking lot full of waiting Mercedes sedans. The drivers were all lined up like West Point Cadets. Upon seeing a colleague exit and me they descended upon us. Seriously, folks, it was like Night of the Living Limo Drivers.
Conversely (and less morbidly), what would happen if Le Moulin somehow became transported to the proverbial desert island? None of us very good at actually making things, could we survive? If so, would we form a huge holding company, give each other untold shares, and go about bamboozling the indigenous people into hiring us?
Hey, I’m only kidding!
USA Today threw a lovely soiree and I felt privileged to have been there, let alone invited. One of the most fun things about coming to Cannes is the opportunity to meet so many VIPs of our industry, and not just from the creative ranks. At any given moment you might bump into your mentor, idol, future or former boss. Pretty scary. Pretty cool.
From Talent Zoo, #canneslions
Bowing before the golden lion (I mean calf)
“We’ve created a system that rewards work that is increasingly unknown to anyone outside the business. We have become connoisseurs of esoterica. And in the process, we’re becoming more about us, and less about changing the world… We are becoming irrelevant award-chasers.”
-Jeff Goodby, in AdAge
There was a comment on my blog, Gods of Advertising from an anonymous person that said, “awards shows (such as Cannes) are for people who like the smell of their own farts.”
A revolting notion but is it a criticism? First off, I believe people do secretly marvel at the odor they are capable of emitting! That’s the lesser point, however. What’s interesting about the comment is whether or not the idea of celebrating one’s own work is bad or not. Religious persons consider pride and vanity sins. But are they?
Here are my definitions of the two. Pride is regarding one’s self in high esteem. Vanity is hoping that others do. By this measure, then, it seems vanity has more potential for causing trouble –both to one’s self and to others. Vanity seems closer to the uglier sins of greed, lust and envy.
Advertising awards shows, particularly Cannes, are ripe with both pride and envy. By definition, all awards shows are. Something is being touted above all others in its category. Therefore there are losers. And losing breeds envy, which begets vanity. In order for we losers to avoid the sin of vanity we must process losing with humility, which is difficult, maybe even saintly. Most of us cannot help but feel humiliated when we lose. Sad but true. In theory, and sometimes practice, better men than I say, “there are lessons in this. I will take heed and be better for it next time around.” Unfortunately, my first reaction is usually more akin to this: “What do they know? The whole thing is rigged anyway!”
Winners, however, experience pride. And depending on how one handles his or her pride this can be a good quality. Obviously, boasting is pigheaded and most winners are rightfully careful about coming across as braggarts. But I venture we all hoot and holler a little bit among our peers, behind closed doors. Yet when we display our trophies back at the agency they instill a sense of pride within the company: We are good at our craft. We have value! This cannot be a bad thing, right? Yes, as long as it doesn’t go to our heads. Even the best-awarded agencies make their fare share (the Lion’s share!) of mediocre advertising. Often it is these accounts that pay the bills, allowing the agency to pursue sexier but less financially lucrative clients.
Pause for caution, then, especially during times of recession and layoffs. Perhaps the better comment, equally telling, would be to advise certain winners that their shit does, in fact, stink. Consider the Cannes trophy –the Gold Lion. Was not the Golden Calf a pagan symbol of man’s false pride?
The theme for my blog is “We make you want what you don’t need.” The tension of trying to do the next right thing (be it for agency, client and even oneself) is hugely important. I fail as much as I succeed. And I suspect I am not alone. Especially at Cannes. Here pride and vanity are on full display, both from creations and creator.
#canneslions
My pride & vanity!
You can lick the PR with a spoon.
Here are some of the big Lion winners for direct marketing, promotion and PR, by client: The Obama campaign, Hagan Dazs, Queensland Tourism, Guinness, and DeBeers Diamonds. There were others but the above-mentioned fared particularly well. Queensland Tourism managed to get the Grand Prix in both PR and Direct.
Look at that list again. What do these seemingly disparate interests have in common, besides excellent campaigns in their behalf? They are all very wonderful things…
Even if one voted against him, the idea of President Obama was pretty spectacular. Electing a black President elicited tears of joy from even die hard Republicans…some anyway. And who doesn’t love ice cream, particularly the Haagen Dazs variety? Guinness is an icon for pleasure. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And the other is an exotic travel destination.
These were clients who, frankly, didn’t need marketing or PR.
In support of Droga5’s wickedly funny “Great Schlep” campaign the jury held up Obama’s win as an example of its effectiveness. Of course everyone in the French theater applauded. But seriously, was Obama’s campaign ever really in doubt? More to the point does anyone out there honestly think this edgy little film helped get him elected?
Dramatizing the awesomeness of beer, ice cream and diamonds seems like driving a Ferrari fast. I’m not sure if doing good work is easier for clients with pleasure built into their DNA but it can’t hurt. Think about it. There is no problem for the marketing to solve. PR is not in damage control. It is, as we say in America, all good!
This is not an indictment of any of these fabulous contenders, merely an observation. Perhaps none of them needed marketing. But what’s even better they wanted it.
From Talent Zoo, #canneslions
People watching at Cannes. Birds of a feather…
June 23, 2009
“Look, A Brazilian Two Breasted Hottie!”
All right folks, this is my official Cannes guide to people watching. For the sake of this discussion, we will be limiting our research to only advertising professionals migrating here for the International Advertising Festival.
As you know, species from all over the world congregate on this balmy coast to network and compete against one another for Lions. The creatures have much in common, but let us focus on the differences, for that will make them easier to tell apart.
We begin with the European varieties, as Cannes falls within their home continent. By far the most common, the Anglos (UK, German, Dutch and French) can be quickly identified by their white skin, often pink from too much sun and alcohol. Rarely do they tan. A telltale occurrence among males is the accumulation of facial hair, otherwise known as “scruff.” They usually sport blue jeans and worn tee shirts, displaying trendy illustrations or monikers from various film production companies. As they are often hung over, this species can be aloof or aggressive, particularly if they are still drinking. Females can be quite alluring or coarse, depending on their exposure to sun and alcohol.
The easiest way to spot the American advertising professional is to look for excess weight, which manifests itself in both males and females of the species. Adding to their load, they love to carry things. Cameras, books, purses, maps, laptops and diet colas are common. Like their European counterparts, often Americans are sunburned and hung over. Despite making them look foolish, males often wear shorts and flip-flops. Females know better and strive to imitate the dress patterns of their European counterparts.
Differing Asian species can be tricky to tell apart as they all have black hair (unless dyed) and are uniformly thin. These creatures adore technology and often carry the latest forms. They have a unique fashion sense, resembling “punk” but usually more stylized. Hair is often tussled or spiked. If wearing eye-glasses, they are exaggerated and “funky.” More so than any other group, the Asian is most comfortable in packs, often consisting of four or more. Groups can be seen congregating in front of the Palais, texting.
The Latam groups are by far the most fashionable. Tight fitting clothes of high style mark this species. The males typically have beards and mustaches, projecting a swarthy, masculine look irresistible to females of all kinds. In turn, the females are stunning, capable of stirring male populations and causing palpable changes upon entering a room. Plumage is striking in Latams; they share many of the same qualities as rock stars. As would be expected, these groups are loud and vivacious. Creativity runs high and they regard winning Lions as sacred.
Scattered at Cannes, Middle Eastern ad people gather for their own festival in Dubai. Indian ad professionals are fairly common here, often seen mingling with European or American species.
Other than at the Palais, all species can be found at the watering hole known affectionately as the Gutter Bar. It is here that the various species intermingle, often recklessly. The best viewing, however, takes place very, very late. One must watch for broken glass.
-From Talent Zoo #canneslions
Memories of my first Cannes on the eve of my fifth.
June 23, 2009
My hotel, the mighty Carlton…
The first time I went to Cannes my agency booked me into a villa. A villa in the South of France! You can imagine how excited I was. Alas, though my trip had many high-points said villa was not one of them. The accommodation was a warren of un-air-conditioned, cubbyholes dug into the side of a hill many kilometers away from town. The property did have an outdoor Jacuzzi. Unfortunately, it was almost constantly inhabited by a group of drunk, sunburned Germans. Vile in every way, I never went near them or it. I did, however, befriend a mouse-cat that had found its way into my room every night. In the end, if you’re in your hotel room you’re either ill, making love, sleeping or dead. I wasn’t any of those.
On that maiden voyage I also had to sing for my passage. Leo Burnett had asked a planner and me if we could make a presentation based on one of the agency’s proprietary tools: the Brand Belief System. Of course, I said yes. They were offering a villa for Christ’s sake!
Our big presentation was slotted for midweek at 10 AM. This being my first visit to Cannes, I had no idea how late people stayed up (all night) and how late people slept in (until noon). Every advertising professional from Europe or America was still in bed. Unbelievably, the main auditorium at the Palais Theater was not empty. Instead, the seats were filled with the only people who hadn’t drunk themselves comatose the night before: Asian advertising students.
That was the good news. As well as the bad news. Few of the hundreds in attendance spoke English as a primary language. Of course they understood the fundamentals pretty well; the only problem was my partner and I had created a presentation rich in colloquial ideas and speech. We spoke of cults. Challenged belief systems. Made reference to western deities. The entire thing flew over there heads like a 747. When it ended, we received obligatory applause from the polite Asians but no one asked questions. Like bad sex it was over quick and the awkwardness malingered.
And so, Gentle Reader I begin my fifth visit to the International Advertising Festival in Cannes. I work for a different agency. And I am staying at a nice hotel. Instead of making speeches I will be blogging. (from Talent Zoo #canneslions)
