Troublemaker or Troubleshooter?

Thursday, 16 February 2012 14:32
Time was when I was a troublemaker (Def: 'someone who disturbs the peace and incites others to do so'.) I'm not talking about the Occupy movement or rioters (remember them?) No, I used to cause trouble with a constructive purpose. I would help clients and agencies to get the best from their communications by asking troublesome questions - 'So what are the measurable objectives?' 'What do you really mean?' 'Do you think the audience is going to believe that?' 'Is that a compelling story?'
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2012: into the unknown

Friday, 06 January 2012 11:17

What does 2012 look like? Will they finally stop the euro from diving over the precipice? Will the UK economy bounce after The Games? Will heads finally bang together and reach agreement on tackling climate change? Well, you have to look on the bright side don't you! After all, we need to compensate for every news channel whose golden rule is 'first seek out bad news.'

I don't know whether my industry is exactly in synch with the economic cycle but they say that Advertising is a good indicator of good or bad times ahead. A recent article in The Guardian suggests that The Games may be the saviour for that industry in 2012.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/30/media-predictions-2012-business-advertising

But how about Events? Well, Event Industry News suggests that venue bookings are being moved to the early part of the year to avoid the crush during The Games, especially in London. So, perhaps we'll see some Games-led momentum.

http://www.eventindustrynews.co.uk/2011/12/british-venues-predict-fierce-competition-in-2012.html

But this is short-term stuff.

What matters more – The News Of The World or the news of the world?

Saturday, 16 July 2011 17:51

Over the past few weeks you could hardly switch on the TV, read a newspaper or listen to the radio without getting a regular update on the Murdoch/News of the World saga. Each day brought a new, horrifying revelation. And let's be honest – we loved it. Underpinning the story were serious questions about the power of the Press over our politicians, corruption of our Police and invasion of our privacy; all important questions. But what kept it going was two things – it was about the media and the media love nothing more than talking about themselves, especially if they can denigrate a competitor; and it had the ingredients of a good story – characters we love to hate, money, and a constant flow of fresh revelations.

So that's alright then. Or is it?

Making the message memorable (in Manila)

Thursday, 31 March 2011 1436

My recent trip to the Philippines was an eye-opener in all sorts of ways – the warmth and hospitality of the people (we were travelling and staying with Filippinos), the amazing fruits, the addiction to 'snacks' at all times of the day and the fact that so many people seem to make a living out of so little. The place is incredibly vibrant; everything bombards your senses – the crazy driving, the myriad of tiny roadside shops selling everything in any quantity, the fish markets with crabs bigger than dinner plates, tilapia still flipping on the slab, and everywhere beautiful, smiling, dark-haired children. You come across some of them in the middle of the road trying to sell you something as your driver swerves and dodges through the lunatic traffic. Everywhere the driving is crazy and ironically everyone wants the answer to the same question – 'how's my driving?'