Attention seekers

Image courtesy.

I've just had a presentation about an online product where their USP was they can guarantee an average of 16 seconds of audience engagement for your ad. 16 seconds?!! That's not a bad stat if you know about these things and work in the hugely disparate online media world, but imagine trying to explain that to your grandparents??!

It's certainly a sign of the status quo and has been for some time, but what can be done to counter it? Do ads need to be more creatively engaging? Or is this the tip of massive iceberg that has been staring us in the face for a while now but we're yet to see what's under the surface? I think a fundamental shift is required and a much bigger post is required on this. Perhaps this will be the basis for the next 'Brief'. Hmmm, thoughts please…

Auditorium? Addictive yet strangely calming...

Not sure if I'm really slow to discover this site but it's absolute genius! It takes over your life somewhat (which is not so good when you're supposed to putting end of campaign reports together) but my it's fun!

check it out here. and have fun!

Times have changed...

Nice client friendly deck found on the Fallon Planning blog about the changing media landscape. Doesn't give any particular answers but it's a good starting point for a discussion on the subject.

I thought these guys had gone under. I remember doing work experience for them back in 1998 when they were based in Paddington. Worked alongside a creative pair called Christian and Matt and they just spent the whole time playing Scalectrix and discussing how they could target illegal immigrants with West cigarettes (back in the day when you could advertise smoking!) Fun times!

Couple of cool photo shots from the inauguration

First this from Popular Science

and this from Microsoft's Photo Synch via CNN:

Geeky biking observations

Since my accident (due to a snapped sprocket and not strictly my fault) I've been taking things a little bit easy on the bike recently, including not powering along at break neck speed and stopping at a lot more traffic lights. As a way of trying to make up for lost time due to my new law abiding traits, I've made a few observations.

1) Motorbikes think they're pedal bikes (they hang around on the left hand side and in the green zone) it's bad enough that they can now use the bus lane (although it hasn't been too bad, I don't think word has spread)

2) On average (and this is based on my route to and from work, it takes an average of 6 seconds for the red man to appear and the main lights going green. Some lights are as delayed as 8-9 seconds and some 1-2 but the norm is about 6.

3) Manhole covers are like ice. Literally! Never take a corner at speed where there are manhole covers, you'll be faceplanting the tarmac quicker than you can say quick release clips!

4) Never undertake a lorry/bus on a corner, you will be crushed to death, fact.

5) Bus stops always smell nice in the mornings as they are full of washed, scrubbed and perfumed people on their way to work!

6) Always, always, always wear a helmet. My old one saved my life, there's no doubt about it. If you don't wear a helmet you're a fucking idiot and deserve to be removed from the gene pool.






Stay safe.

This made me laugh

Thank you Holy Moly for this gem and your continued hatred of all things Johnny Borrell!

I've never known a brand to hit rock bottom, and start digging!

How can their advertising get any worse?!



Two questions:

1) Who on earth created this?!
2) Which total douchenozzle signed this off?!

Another viral spin off of CG but it works...

Saw this today via 'The AP of CRAP' (winners of Brief 2008) and thought it was a nice execution and still works even though the original campaign first came out a long while back...

New year, new job!

image courtesy

Have been totally rubbish at doing any posts over the last 6 weeks mainly due to how busy I've been, changing jobs and getting fully stuck into yuletide frivolity! So I've now left BLM and have started over at PHD as an 'Integrated Media Manager'. After 3 years at BLM it was time to move on and spread my wings a bit. I've got a good vibe about both the brands I'll be working on and most importantly the people I'm working with.

Also, I'm determined to breath life back into Brief as there were quite a few obstacles put in place previously which prevented me from doing a repeat event but I'm hoping that management will be a bit more open minded moving forward, it certainly feels that way.

I'll update regularly on what developments happen on that front and will get back up to speed on my posts starting this week.

All the best for 2009!

Ash