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“Soldiers do not charge machine-gun nests for generals they do not love.”

A few words, if I may, on what I think makes a good creative director?

I once read that a coach’s main job is to love his players. I think the same holds true for creative directors. Advertising is so hard. There is so much rejection, so much brutality, so many late nights. To be able to motivate people in such a business, you have to love them and they have to know it.

Shit Disturbing Is Saying “I Care”: An Interview With Doubt

In a rare and candid interview, I ask Doubt, the sometimes revered and often reviled philosopher, about himself and his upcoming book titled DOUBT: UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM FROM THE WORLD’S GREATEST SHIT DISTURBER.

The Only Strategy That Counts – Yours

Considering the fact the word Strategy is in my job title, you’d think I was adept at creating strategies, evaluating market conditions, making shrewd judgements and forecasts and developing plans to build brands. I certainly hope my colleagues and clients would give me a thumbs up for my efforts. Frankly though I’ve been piss poor at using those skills for the most important audience of all – ME.

ihaveanidea @ VCU’s Executive Education for CDs, Days Four & Five

The sun was shining bright and the weather was hot — but not too hot — when I stepped out of the hotel to head on over to the Brandcenter this morning. The concierge warned that the weatherman called for thunderstorms this afternoon, but I was in too much of a hurry to grab an umbrella. Besides, how bad can a little rain be?

ihaveanidea @ VCU’s Executive Education for CDs, Day Three

I didn’t really need that 7 AM wake-up call from the hotel front desk this morning; instead I was awakened by the pounding of rain against my window. Yeah, this weather is truly leaving a lot to be desired. Oh well, I’m only a block away from the school, so with umbrella in hand, I headed out for Day Three of the Executive Education course.

ihaveanidea @ VCU’s Executive Education for CDs, Day Two

I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed that Richmond weather has been pretty close to Montreal weather on this trip. Sure, it’s still early in the day — and early in the week, which promises to end as a scorcher — but when your mind is set on bayou-like conditions, 85 degrees seems like a bit of a let-down.

Breakfast is served at the first full day of Digital Leadership and Management Skills for Creative Directors, with plates piled high with bacon, sausage, ham, egg and cheese croissants, fruit salad and yogurt, as well as a staple of the South, iced tea. Nourishment is going to be important today, as Kelly O’Keefe, Managing Director of the VCU Brandcenter says this will be one of the busiest days of the week.

ihaveanidea @ VCU’s Executive Education for CDs, Day One

A long time ago, way back when the VCU Brandcenter was called the Adcenter and was located in a considerably less swanky building than the renowned ad school is found today, I had the great pleasure of travelling down to Richmond one summer to be a fly on the wall for one of VCU’s Executive Education programs.

Books are improving. Now skip the “advertising”

Creative directors look for different things when evaluating a candidate’s work. We all want to see demonstrations of “creativity” but each of us defines it differently.

In my case, I judge the work on how effective it would be at building a client’s business. I try to answer the questions, “Could I sell it to the client?”, and if I could, “Would it connect with the target and build the brand?”

Getting laid (off): Diaries of a copywriter gone rogue

I felt a bit bad for the HR woman. But just a bit. And I got over it pretty soon. When I started feeling worse for myself. Her job was like the angel of death. When she showed up at my desk and asked me to come with her, that look of pity on her face, I told her flat out no – I didn’t want to go with her. Handcuffs and chains crossed my mind. I could just refuse to go with her. I could totally chain myself to my desk and just not move. Ever.

How To Get Headhunters To Do Back Flips For You

Distinguish yourself as being one of the best that every headhunter wants to know.
1. Learn what we do and who we do it for.
Sorry to break it to you but, headhunters do not work for you ~ the talent. They work for the company that is seeking talent. Some might tell you they [...]

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