tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51965593667997615162024-02-19T17:00:46.966+13:00We Are Not CreativesWe Are Not Creativeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307881395266180161noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-44055694524010931102010-11-06T20:44:00.002+13:002010-11-06T20:57:12.368+13:00The Game. I'm Back In It.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I feel like first things first, an apology, for leaving people in the dark for the last month or so.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also, sorry for my post about taking a shit. I was driven to madness by the events I am about to describe.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As the iron curtain surrounding our advertising major lifts you can look forward to two things. Hearing a lot more about what Adam and I have actually done, and potentially seeing some of our work published on another page that'll be coming soon. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So what are we up to at the moment? Well we're done!!! We have officially finished our Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Creative Advertising. We were so stoked to be done in fact that we ran down to the beach, stripping off clothes madly (and skipping). As we clambered over the rocks to a sweet diving location we looked with anticipation at the sparkling water. We held hands and jumped head first over the rocks edge. At that very moment however our awesomeness appeared before us and pulled the entire tide out and Adam and I crashed face first into the sand, the sand of sober reality.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We have so much more work to do than we thought!! Not only do we have to get jobs like right now but we have to produce a good old fashion portfolio of work (which is currently sitting at 40 A3 pages). It is a sexy portfolio and I am currently Art Directing up the final ads to put in it as I write this blog. It features some great work of ours over the year including work for Tenderloverandcarry, TVNZ ONE News, OGGI, Rexona, Stardome, and State Insurance. These are all campaigns of our that have been highly commended, recognised, and even nominated for various awards.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It feels fuckin good guys!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We've made it, we ARE creatives!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The final hurdle is getting a job. We have an end of year show this Tuesday our in Mt.Eden where a bunch of 200 or so industry bigs are gonna show up and check out our portfolios. Adam and I have a few tricks up our sleeve to lift us above the competition so it should be a great night.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Sun is out guys. We're young. We're Creative. We're free.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lets fuck shit up</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cheers,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hugh</span></span></div>Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-36524547353985153272010-10-18T20:43:00.004+13:002010-10-18T20:55:36.999+13:00I Took A Shit Today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hey WANCers,</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As Adam said we are in the midst of some pretty hectic times at uni at the moment what with all our assignments being due on the same fucking day. However, despite this I found time in my busy day for two things.... The first, is to write this blog in place of Ben (assuming that Ben won't post tonight), and the second, was possibly the best shit I've taken in a long time. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was standing outside my tutors office with Adam waiting to see him. He was on the phone though so it was taking some serious time. I sat down in the chair outside his office and it set in. The urge, not the need, just the urge, so I wriggled uncomfortably for a bit as I watched Adam pace around the place. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It seemed to pass and I breathed a sigh of relief and thought "ok, I'll get through this meeting then hit this bad boy up"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Adam said something to me which I couldn't quite care about as at that instant the urge came back. This time it was more potent and I knew, this wasn't an urge I was experiencing, it was a need.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So I stood up, casually walked over to Adam, handed him my folder and said "Hold this, I need to shit" then I casually strolled (because it was like the shit when you are real casual bout it until you get into the cubical at which point it is game fuckin on to get your pants down) to the bathroom. It was definitely a shit where you sit there and think "I'm gonna write a blog about this".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The rest is history. However I did feel uneasy and slightly vulnerable afterwards on my walk down Queen St and the bus ride home.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, plenty of action in my life at the moment as you can see, with that I leave you with the promise to deliver a better post about nicer things like finishing university forever next week.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">WANC out!!</span></span></div>Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-28606735270225467372010-10-17T12:16:00.003+13:002010-10-17T12:23:00.289+13:00Dont Even Bother With This Post<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There has not been nearly enough WANCing going on lately.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Uni is drawing to a close and we are all stressing out. Except for you damn journalism kids because you’re weird and somehow already done. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But then that’s it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">WE have to go out and find real jobs and be grown ups. File tax forms. Play the stock market (I will talk to Ben cause I’m told he has a guy.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But this morning, as I lay down to write (yes I write lying down, so what!) with my brain slowly crumbling away, like a ginger nut you dropped in your tea and just left it there, I wish more people would play the new game I’ve just invented.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It's the same vain as the Ice game (where your presented with a Smirnoff (also, aside from a bracket within a bracket, my computer has Smirnoff in the dictionary, and I think that is note worthy.) Ice and must down it in one. I’m assuming there is some sort of punishment for not finishing it or throwing up but to be honest I am to tired to take the 5 seconds to research this.). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">My game is called eggs bene.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The game where you bring me eggs bene and I eat it at my own pace (I’m going to make this a thing)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The current score board sits at me in first, my mum in second and Lydia in third. I will of course be officiating the game. Creating rules. A board. Possibly selling advertising rights (I wonder if that’s enough of a link to advertising to keep people happy).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It will<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>be awesome.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sadly, as I said, I am not well. Self induced as it may be I am putting this as the reason for this, lets be honest, shoddy attempt at user created content.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">What I mainly wanted to say in this entry was that we the WANCers are sorry that we haven’t been posting much as of late.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">With the end in sight we are defiantly not losing out resolve (at least I’m not) and we will continue to post shit you don’t really care about to waste precious seconds of your life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I am sure posts will resume as normal in maximum 2 weeks even if I have to write them all.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Also I’m working on a top-secret project. You’ll get to see it some day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And may I close my saying sorry for the pointless post, I felt as though I needed to at least contribute something.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Whole Thing Stinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09344630100804056897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-30905819339003512142010-10-08T13:42:00.000+13:002010-10-08T13:43:03.245+13:00IdolatryThough I recently espoused the evils of idolatry and putting people on pedestals. I’ve gone hypocritical and am deciding to let you in a bit to my life. Mostly I was running out of things to say, and to be blog worthy (I set very high personal standards). So I was going to try a classic what I did in my summer holidays. As we know summer hasn’t arrived and if I’d pasted one from last year people would’ve noticed I’m sure.<br /><br /><br />On a recently long public transport trip, after the last of my waning iPod battery died I found myself having an odd time. I was examining my life. A little DNM with the inner happier, more physically appealing me. But it was rush hour on an mundane Tuesday, I wasn’t under the influence, no fire to stare into and I wasn’t philosophically refurbishing my life with a close friend. It was deep thought at random and it was strange. In this process I realised I’d never had a true idol, a person to admire, to look up to and be inspired by. And though I abhor the use of celecbrity and trying to emulate them, I can set a point at which thinking ‘yeah there a good dude, maybe I’ll be like them’ and ‘ I want to wear their clothes and crap in their toilet’ crosses a line. At a push, I would’ve said Warren Buffett, he’s got it all going for him in most ways. The kind of guy you‘d love to hate if he wasn‘t such a good guy (e.g. Dan Carter). So as I sat in a rickety bus headed west, I decided I needed someone to admire. <br /><br /><br />With much deliberation I settled on A.J. Jacobs, editor at large of Esquire, regular contributor to Weekend Edition (a popular culture, society & history sort of show on American public radio) who has also contributed to The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and New York magazine. Jacobs has written 3 books, The Know-it-all where he reads the entire encyclopaedia Britannica (great trivia), The Year of Living Biblically where he tries to follow all the rules of the bible for a year (not as subjective as you may think), and The Guinea Pig Diaries where he details all the experiments he’s ever been a subject for like when he outsourced his entire life to India (including arguments with his wife and bedtime stories for his kids, a best of Esquire sort of).<br /><br /><br />These are the reasons I idolise A.J., he has an awesome job, he is paid to be witty and observant plus his outlook on life is that it’s a “series of experiments in which I immerse myself in a project or lifestyle, for better or worse, then write about what I learned” and as a sucker for knowledge I get a bit giddy thinking like that. When I grow up, which comes sooner than one may think, I’d love to have a life like this, its not about money or prestige its about having fun and following that truly crazy “What if I…?” thought. <br /><br /><br />On a slightly deeper level, he seems insanely wise, thought provoking and has the most loving wife in the world with all the shit she puts up with (and let us be honest here, I’m a slight romantic, and she’s damn good looking, which gives me hope).<br />My choice was hard, and if in 20 years I think I’m closer to Jacobs than now I’d be a very happy man.<br /><br /><br />People who make up the top 5 <br />1. AJ Jacobs<br />2. Warren Buffet (billionaire philanthropist who doesn’t flash it around)<br />3. Sherlock Holmes (mainstreaming reason - who said they have to be real?)<br />4. Bill Bryson (a man who makes history hilarious and education exciting)<br />5. Ryan Reynolds (two words = Scarlett Johansson)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As an interesting aside, and slightly more in touch with the creative world. Radio survey results came out today. The Edge got dominated, lost in a box seemed to drive listeners away I wasn’t a fan. <br />Newstalk ZB while still on top, lost appoint to Radio Live. All the urban stations grew, and for the first time they included Rhema & life, and Radio Waatea who are taking listeners away (or at least are being shown)<br /><br />Check out the results at TRB.co.nz or try finding a survey party tonight with a massive bar tab. Watch all those famous radio Celebes getting paralytic just in case the get the old DCM*.<br /><br />Talk next Friday (it’ll be about my job hunt – exciting yes!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />* For those of you under the age of forty or never heard the saying DCM – don’t come Monday, i.e. you’re fired!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-85639192595814456772010-10-06T21:03:00.001+13:002010-10-06T21:03:45.064+13:00Overload<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">I am fucked off. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">I have 6 assignment due.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">2 weeks of university left.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">And I’m watching 17 again.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">I thought I’d save you the stress of 500 words this Wednesday night.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">And save myself the time of writing this because I am max stressed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">Again. I am a well of pure anger and rage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Futura;mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">Cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-62190018378258122862010-10-03T20:15:00.001+13:002010-10-03T20:17:26.385+13:00One Flew Over the Zombies Nest.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Some thing has been concerning me recently.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">You could say I’m almost afraid.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It’s not the fear of my own mortality, the fear that I’ve made the wrong decisions in life, the fear that no one will remember me, or geese.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is something that is (debatably) more real.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Zombie apocalypse.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yes with each passing day the fear of Z day grows however I think I’m prepared.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My plan, involving stealing a yatch and the cleaning a cruise ship of any and all inhabitance and living like a king sailing the 7 seas like pirate king.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Many things must be taken into account.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are the zombies smart, organized? How do they find me? Smell? Can they run? Or are they those lame limping zombies? How do I kill them… again? And most importantly how is the infection spread?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yes the infection. If it is one, and lets face it the crazy shit scientists are up to they probably will create something like a zombie virus very soon. Or they already have but the CIA is keeping is under wraps. (Ponders own place on the Internet and wonders if I’ll ever be powerful enough to create a conspiracy theory. *cue elaborate scrubs style cut away to a magical land were I am king of the internet and all the famous internet memes are my minions and I force the lighting bolt guy into a battle with all the LOL cats*) </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But before I get to off topic, and I think I already have, I should link this somehow to advertising (because, aside from Ben’s ‘50 ways to get that pesky tomato soup stain out of your favorite slacks for less than $5’, that is what this blog is meant to be about. I think.)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, uh, here it goes.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zombies are like ads. You can’t escape them. If the world is being over run with them (remembering zombie apocalypse in this metaphor is = Capitalist society) you kind of just have to accept the fact. Zombies/ Ads are part the way the world works and whether the ads walk (print media) or run (the internet) your probably going to get swallowed up some how and if you don’t, if you think you can avoid it, if you plan to live the rest of your days alone and paranoid, well then your not going to be part of the new society.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In a speech at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by3CwhsixrQ">Tedx last year the Bloodster</a> put it far more eloquently than I could ever hope to so I’ll let you discover more for yourself (partly because I’m lazy, partly because you need to stop being lazy and partly because it’s a really nice speech and you should all listen to it.)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So just linked that up nicely (*cue scrubs flash back to me dressed as Hannibal lighting a cigar and saying “I love it when a plan comes together.*).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">P.S. The Zombie rant was brought to you by a book I have a manuscript of (its not out yet so I don’t think I can say the name but its really really good. I also have the book that’s meant to be better than Steig Larsons stuff and he is pretty choice.) and we have to do a campaign for it.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">P.P.S the CIA is covering shit up that’s not a joke if I get assassinated tomorrow you all know why.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">P.P.P.S How many of these can I do before they get old.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">P.P.P.P.S Not this many.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Whole Thing Stinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09344630100804056897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-24396904962120141572010-10-02T16:19:00.002+13:002010-10-02T16:41:50.774+13:00Morbid, finality and sadness: an emo retrospectThough I hate to admit it, its less than four weeks till I’m done with university for ever (well fingers crossed, knocking on wood and whatever other superstitious bullshit I should try), so I thought I’d talk about finality. <br /><br /><br />Not many people contemplate their own mortality, only ninjas and presidents really (mostly because to get to be in that position they have to realize they will most likely be assassinated). Which to me would put me off applying for either. Possibly the only worse position to be in is a nameless henchman, because unless your up against Nigel Powers, and he’s feeling loving, you’re pretty much ruined. I have contemplated death, recently and throughout life, mostly because I one read that you don’t even spend a million hours alive. It’s more like <br /><br /><br />24 x 365 = 8760 <br /><br /><br />8760 x 74 (average lifespan of a white NZ male) = 648240. <br /><br /><br />Not even a million hours how stink is that? So with the knowledge of living less than million hours, does your brain start wondering about the time you’ve spent reading this? When you could drawn a beautiful picture, hugged a person you love or watch birds fly and marvel at nature? But rather than an actual ramble about death, because that is just depressing and can put you in a very unhealthy cycle of thought. This is more to do with what human spend their lives doing. We often establish routine at an early age and then stick with it until a variable changes. The majority conform to the social norms around us, accept what the things we cannot change and try to work past them. It’s your basic ‘adapt & overcome’ situation. As an aside, one of the biggest changes is a new partner (I hate that term, in a relationship sense it’s one of the most contrite, PC words and it should be abolished). I reckon the success lies in the ability to find the mutual overlap of routine/ That weird oval space of Venn diagram if you will. <br /><br /><br />So I raise the question imagine what you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail? There are so many options with this, it’s almost like becoming invincible or having a million wishes, you could guarantee a lottery win, sit any exam on any subject and pass, impress everyone and generally live life better off… oh what a world that would be. But there is a trick in this question, just like in Bruce Almighty replying yes to all the requests of the plebs, if you knew you couldn’t fail you’d expect to succeed all the time. However, success is fairly subjective. For a starving African child success is eating more than once a week, while for a super rich white person success is having sex with a different girl every night and not remembering as you snort kilos of coke. Obviously this is a bit extreme, but if you look at it that way, you could only win 5th division winning like $25, passing your exams with a B- and forming a relationship with a person who never really loved you but instead just felt obligated (and there is nothing worse than that). I have way over examined this simple statement. I think it’s just supposed to be a motivational type thing so you can achieve dream big, live fuller existence and other such psycho babble.<br /><br /><br />What is really the point of anything at all? I don’t really have an answer, it’s like a why is the sky blue, or if bumblebees aren’t supposed to fly how come they do type question. <br /><br /><br />What this blog stemmed from was a shitty day that put a few things in perspective. Everyone has those days when they are getting yelled at by the boss, or having an argument with a significant other and just look them in the eye while thinking I don’t have to put up with this shit, why am I taking this? We take that crap and disappointment etc because we crave the routine, the unchangeable existence of being, the regular events in our life that make us realise we are living and not just cruising through life on auto-pilot. This may have become a bit morbid, but take from it this, as the remorseless sweep of the second hand ticks away during those long hours at work, or in class or waiting in traffic, remember that you’ve got to get a shit load of stuff in less than a million years, and that that it could be really worse, you could be dead.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-3164764353247788812010-09-29T23:38:00.000+13:002010-09-29T23:40:09.794+13:00Immersed In Immersion<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This week I wanted to follow on from last week. Purely because last week was just not a good enough rant. It was a fine rant, don’t get me wrong. It just needed something more. So this week I bring you ‘Last week’s rant 2! The sequel!... This time it’s personal’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I want to touch on immersion. Specifically immersion in new media. I may even dabble in experiential advertising but that is a big </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">may</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. When I talk about immersion I don’t mean the people who play grand theft auto and then go out, steal a car, have sex with a hooker, and then kill her to get their money back. I don’t even mean the LARPers (Live Action Role Players) out there who dress up in ye olde clothes and yell spells at each other. I mean YOU! Yeah, that made you feel uncomfortable, confrontational self-reflexivity all up in your grill.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What I mean by this is that you sir or madame, are immersed. That is to say that you are immersed in technology and all it’s wonderful benefits and opportunities (to exploit you). How long have you spent on Facebook today? How long have you spent checking your phone? How long have you spent doing other random shit on the internet? Long story short, where the fuck do our lives go? I mean, I was thinking the other day, where is the line?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">In our parents day (rady fuckin raaa we all know they didn’t have technology Hugh) Now you can’t do anything without it involving some sort of technology. Unless of course it’s something that doesn’t involve technology but those things are usually A) Boring, B) Healthy, and C) Boring. Back in the day there would have been a clear division between what you did with your day and how you did it. Now you just use technology to escape life, and life to escape technology. Can you see where I’m going here?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One day I’m going to walk in to class, and forget who everyone is in there. I’m then going to have to whip out my phone, go on Facebook, and scan through my friends till I find photos that identify them because I will be so deep in this fuckin rabbit hole they call technology to even think about the biological world we actually live in (unless it is integrated into technology in which case we are doomed, possibly by robot zombies).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sometimes I just can’t see the difference between e-consequences and real life consequences. On the internet I could say fuck you motherfucker and you’re ugly as mother, who you beat. And they would prroooobably reply saying ‘lolololol you used the wrong ‘your’ what a retard *</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">insert racial slur</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* go have sex with men’ Which for me, at least, I can deal with. In real life, hey, who knows, but I’m 90% sure my gangly frame would get the crap beaten out of it. But I would still feel inclined to say it.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I can't tell if that is just the anarchy in me wanting to slip out or maybe technology has blurred the line so much that it loosely resembles a smudge that could possibly once have been a line, but you couldn’t really say for sure. But if it is anarchy. I know it was technology that put it there.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: small; ">Cheers.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P.S. experiential advertising is advertising you experience.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-50317748186668616792010-09-27T15:11:00.005+13:002010-09-27T22:21:05.574+13:00Online Radio Adventures<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While perusing through Facebook one evening, I was prompted from the Pendulum fan page that they were playing a live spot on something called the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. Lacking the necessary funding to purchase tickets to the up-coming concert, this appeared to be the next best thing. Naturally, I was intrigued. I clicked through a series of links which then lead me to the number one UK radio station's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/">website</a>.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’ve never ventured into the realm of streaming radio online before. Why would I? I don’t waste my bandwidth listening to what good old New Zealand has to offer live on the airwaves. We get the latest pop hits and good hard man-rock from the 80s. If I’m not feeling the radio buzz I’ve got a selection of my favourite MP3s to keep my fist pumping.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Soon enough, I was listening to prime time UK radio (they’re 11 hours behind) where the DJ is promising me some live Pendulum within a matter of minutes. I was suddenly excited. When the fuck would get an opportunity to listen to world-wide DnB superstars live listening to 91FM? From what I last heard, ZMs latest offering was a phone call to Zac Efron from Australia about his latest fucking movie but then again, Australia is almost New Zealand, right? Yes, I realise there is about 20 times more people in the UK but that fact is I now know that there is an alternative to what we’re offered here in God’s own. Now we just have to wait until we can steam this in our cars without being charged $10 an hour (I’m too lazy to research this.)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After a quick interview, Pendulum (the full band) jumped straight into their latest single <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hszZmFRPqx8">The Island (Part 1)</a> and followed that up with a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC8Cb9fsMwY">cover of Linkin Park’s new single The Catalyst</a> which I admit, is really quite good. The Live Lounge is renowned for bands covering artists which are very off-genre and generally aren’t expected from them. Last time Pendulum were there, they <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d2oLeF66w4">covered Coldplay’s Violet Hill</a>.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">BBCs Radio 1 delivered a great first impression leaving me keen for something more. A friend directed me to listen to Zane Lowe’s show, this time pre-recorded, from a few nights before. From what I can see, Radio 1 runs two hour slots in which DJs can pretty much do whatever they want. Of course they have a theme to their show, for instance, Top 40, hip-hop etc and there doesn’t seem to be an annoying ad in sight, apart from advertising shows within the radio network.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our fellow Kiwi Zane Lowe plays at a prime time of 7-9 Mondays through to Thursdays. His show centers on the best of new music. Zane Lowe plays host of the world premier of some of the world’s biggest tracks, most recently the new <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTWDDMrKhgs">My Chemical Romance</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IAxoqoqJ44">Kings of Leon</a> tracks. He played a dub step remix of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8TbZvy2msQ">Claire Maguire’s Ain’t Nobody from Breakage</a> (think Skream vs La Roux) which he dubbed the world’s biggest track right now. After the song was over, he was struggling trying to get through the overload of texts he was receiving. He then stopped the whole show to play the song again. Once again, the texts wouldn’t stop. He read as many as he could out and said fuck this, and encored the song for a third time. After realising he was in critical danger of playing the track for the next 1.5 hours on repeat, he forced himself to stop it and chuck on some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZWEAhj3Uo">Architects</a>, some pick-on-guitar, stick-on-skin, mouth-on-mic action. I was shocked at the shear range of music this guy plays. I have never had such a great time listening to the fucking radio.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In other news, it’s the time of the year where the first announcements for New Zealand’s great music festivals are posted five hundred times on Facebook. Rhythm and Vines go-ers have recently received the good news of DnB heavyweights Chase and Status joining the already promising <a href="http://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/2010/lineup/lineup/">line up</a> and there is only a matter of hours before we get our first real Big Day Out news (2am Tuesday morning). After some questionable years of BDO since ’06 (the Tool year), I think it’s safe to say that we’re old holding out for something worth-while. Some rumours are currently pointing towards Blink-182, Deftones, Weezer, MGMT, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots and many more big names.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While this really does sound good and great, I couldn't help but cry when I saw the confirmed line up for <a href="http://www.soundwavefestival.com/lineup">Soundwave</a>, a festival only a couple hours away on a plane as the crow flies. From what I hear, they're working on bringing this one over to New Zealand, touch wood. I’m not going to list them for the sake of the word count, but fuck. Check out the magnitude of what the UK gets to experience at <a href="http://www.leedsfestival.com/lineup/index.aspx">Leeds</a>, <a href="http://www.readingfestival.com/lineup/index.aspx">Reading</a> and <a href="http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/index.aspx">Download</a>. And don’t even get me started on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warped_Tour_2010">America’s Warped Tour</a>. Sigh.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Encore, turn your subs up.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X8TbZvy2msQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X8TbZvy2msQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></p>bengmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14928942329687669879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-13899606084162519902010-09-26T18:33:00.004+13:002010-09-26T18:59:16.417+13:00The Age of Random.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I realized something today.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s Sunday. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And no one really gives a crap on Sunday. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sure there maybe some of you that are reading this Monday, or even Tuesday (but honestly, get with the times. You should be refreshing this page all day Sunday waiting for my update.) remembering the weekend that was. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But it is the job of Sunday to be lazy. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">To be the day that everyone kind of forgets what it is they did.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s the day of the hangover.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The day where you walk to the dairy for a can of coke.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The day you go out and get eggs bene.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It’s not the day for relevance.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">If Sunday were an ad it would be one of those shitty random ones that no one really likes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So it is my duty to embody that. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For me. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For you.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For us. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Or maybe just for me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But seriously folks! (After that opening gambit I have something interesting to say. Yus!) What is with those random ads? The likes of the moro gold ads (not the funny old ones with the squirrels oh no, not the crazy Bollywood ones. The one with the talking giant chocolate bar), the ads that try to come so far out of left field that they don’t even make sense. Some are clever and funny and have logical lateral leaps to the product and others die a tragic, tragic death.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">It was in an agency that Hugh and I were helping out in that we first really had a face-to-face encounter with these sorts of ads.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">No idea was good enough, and we had some fucking good ideas.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">“But the kids like random.” The creative director kept telling us.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Yes your right kids like random they find it fun. The flashing lights and colors make their pre-pubescent head spin.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">But they aren’t memorable (well most of them aren’t).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">You can’t set out to create something random. You can have randomness in mind but I don’t feel as though it can be your mission statement. It doesn’t work because, as we see in so many ads these days, it comes of looking a little retarded.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So what did we do? We toiled and toiled. Thinking up random idea after random idea. They were all dumb and we had hardly anything we liked but we needed to pitch so we kept on keeping on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And when we asked to see what the real creative’s had come up with wasn’t much better but the problem was the CD loved what they had done. Even if to us it looked even worse than what we had thrown up</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So what am I trying to say? Random = fun, exciting sometimes awesome ads. But if you’re focusing on being random you’re going to create something random. If you’re really good it will look okay. But if your not, and I don’t really think many people in the world are successfully random on cue, it’s going to look constructed and be a waste of your time and effort.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Whole Thing Stinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09344630100804056897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-6584773471531959132010-09-24T20:18:00.003+12:002010-09-26T17:58:24.814+13:00Celebrity, hipsters & hip-hop Friday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To start off with a lie is usually bad… but I’ve never aspired to be a huge somebody. I mean sure it’s nice to be recognised, because nobody ever really wants to be a ‘nobody’. Acceptance from other humans, social circles and communities is what drives so much of our lives. But I mean let’s face it, I have watched enough movies to know that for your average famous person all may seem like a box of fluffy kittens while really knowing that lurking behind the wondrous glowing blue eyes of happiness and success is a soul riddled with self doubt and a small sense of personal worth. Movies love to show the renowned whomever, but loves to portray they alone side, the fact that their genius, beauty, evil or whatever distance them from the rest of society. Nobody really wants to be a complete outsider, a person so far out of the norm they become the freak n the corner who can multiple base number in under 4 seconds (although people like that always survive the Cube – check that movie out).</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />It is because of this need for love and affection and the quest for acceptance that so many celebrities adopt poor African children or pledge gross amounts of cash to charities to try feel better about their enormous wealth & flashy lifestyles. When I talk of celebrity and celebrity culture it is a morbid fascination the world has to constantly follow the latest big thing shaking Hollywood, Bollywood or some other unseen force that guides the world. What is really annoying me at the moment is hipsters, the current fad of the day. They know nothing they haven’t read in any trendy New York underground fashion magazine, as ‘prototypical non-conformists’ they shop only at thrift stores, adhering to tastes and standards approved by an unseen panel of judgement. The look of scorn or approval as they give a thumb up or thumb down to incoming and outgoing trends and styles of music and art makes me want to go Big Chris on their heads (Lock, Stock…)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Normal people around the world have followed celebrities and their soul searching through Kabballah, Buddhism or Scientology or moved through diets from Atkins (who incidentally died medically overweight and of high-cholesterol), to raw-food, to lemon de-tox only to discover they only way either of those things can work for you is if you have a very healthy bank balance and enough spare time to commit to a personal trainer for 6 hours a day for 3 months.<br />Many people I am sure have ranted about the increase of ‘celebrity’ culture that invade our lives, how a model’s sex-tape makes front page news while the death of a single innocent bystander is relegated to page 4. Does it mean we as a society have degraded human life or is it just a matter of desensitisation? I wonder whether becoming desensitised means people become less afraid of death, and accept the inevitability of it or inversely never think about it until that day finally arrives.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Which is better I ask?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Often people who accept their eminent demise and have truly considered their own mortality after some near death experience or the loss of a loved one live a possibly fuller life. Of course some people take it badly and end up cowering at the thought of rain lest it turn to a flood and wash them away. This sort of fearful life, of mental instability cowering at the unknown, the unacknowledged and the uncontrollable are all products of becoming trapped in within the greatest prison in the world, the human mind.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />A better celebrity to think about is the guy you pass every Thursday morning on the bus into Uni. Your life and his intersect weekly, or in some cases daily. Yet what more do you know of his life (and vice versa) other than the dog he walks. Do you realise that if you’ve seen him for more than a year he has had a birthday? May have gotten engaged, married, divorced or widowed? Everybody’s life could be immensely exciting if we all had witty script writers. My favourite comic book character the great Calvin once said<br />“Why isn't my life like a situation comedy? Why don't I have a bunch of friends with nothing better to do but drop by and instigate wacky adventures? Why aren't my conversations peppered with spontaneous witticisms? Why don't my friends demonstrate heartfelt concern for my well being when I have problems? ...I gotta get my life some writers."<br />Think of that guy you see from the bus, and other ‘famous people’ in your life rather than the ‘celebrity’ that is forced on you by popular culture, it could lead you places. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />- NB. I am in no way liable or actively encouraging you to talk to him, he could be an axe murderer, let’s face it... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />So this week I thought I’d also increase your musical range, pushing a bit of new indie hip-hop your way to broaden your musical taste.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExOCc_bHj6U<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnNukAP1p5M<br /><br />Talk in a week.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-82182019440775410282010-09-22T18:11:00.005+12:002010-09-22T18:26:27.925+12:00New Media, Old Ideas.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">In the world of today you can’t exist without the help of social media. I don’t care who the fuck you are or what you think about twitter, if I ask you if you have Facebook and you say “no! I don’t have time for stuff like that” I don’t buy it for one second. How the FUCK can you not have time for Facebook? It’s obviously not because you are too busy being social, because if you were social, you’d have a fuckin Facebook. What am I getting at here? Facebook and other social media channels raise big opportunities for advertisers, and they are being hailed as the newest, greatest and best thing for advertising.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The problem is, like your bullshit busy schedule, I don’t buy it.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In my time in agencies I have seen nothing to support the support for the use of new social media in advertising campaigns. In fact! One creative director told Adam and I to not bother with our pretty fuckin awesome and slick campaign on Facebook because “no one actually bothers to click the link” Sorry bro but who the fuck are you? A creative director? Oh. Better question, are you father fucking time?!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’m just going out on a limb here and will assume that 90% of you are like me and will click the crap out of any link our friends post because 400% of the time you are on Facebook you are bored shitless, procrastinating, and looking for something, anything, to do. Social media is by far the most awesomely powerful tool. How did they get the message out about the sweet new cobbler on the corner of the street back in the day? I believe a classic something called ‘word of mouth’. Take word of mouth, lock it in a basement with the alternative between cutting its dick off or doing a ton of crack, wait till it chooses crack, then unleash it on the world and you have Social media.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Andy Blood, Creative Director of TBWA in Auckland gave a seminar in which he talked about the importance of social media, blogging etc, in the proliferation of advertising messages. It is easy. For example, I have 203 friends on Facebook. I send out my message to all of them. Say to be really rough on my message only 10 of my friends pass the message on to their friends. Then again, only 10 of their friends pass it on. All of a sudden in my first three tiers of broadcast I have reached 10 > 100 > 1000 people…. Exponential growth. Morale of the story, with social media, only a handful of people need to care in order for you to hit big numbers in terms of exposure.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The most upsetting thing for us in New Zealand is that as far as stuff like this goes, the guys who are running the show right now still want to play around with TVCs, Radio, Billboards, Print etc… while we are saying, fuck! Lets do all of that but online, or with an online component, its way more badass. But they won’t have a word of it, to be fair some of the bigger agencies are getting involved but for the most part it looks like we’ll have to wait till we are wearing the big boy pants in the agency before you see some real e-innovative shit going down.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the mean time, who wants to see a picture that makes me look pretty 1337?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Everyone? Gangs.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJkisimXHm4/TJmeuG7b9XI/AAAAAAAAACg/zi2pTzv3ejk/s1600/WoWScrnShot_092110_003032.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EJkisimXHm4/TJmeuG7b9XI/AAAAAAAAACg/zi2pTzv3ejk/s400/WoWScrnShot_092110_003032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519617333290333554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's my lvl 80 Mage and The Lich King, how cool is that.</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-18564228244202507502010-09-20T15:31:00.005+12:002010-09-20T15:47:31.412+12:00Meet And Greet At The Big Boys Table<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJRuy8SqSixhYpnCaYlO4j6fkX0CGZ0nvDQS664T6kZKQF23w11-Bd_Bl9hXy37JmVgxLkwd-qgo9KvLqvX834VfkaXYOhhKUPDifu6Htx2NViYOqkDPJ-BhJ1tbldfM7GV2NZhrg_7f6/s1600/answers.png"></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Finally, after watching the creative teams come and go from their respective agencies over the last few weeks, the suits were given their chance to prove their worth in the industry over the mid-semester break.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">We were split up in to groups and sent to different agencies with the promise that it would be a very valuable and quality use of our time. The group sent to Aim Proximity actually went in for interviews for the chance for some real-life work experience for six days during the second week. I however, was sent to Colenso where we were treated to an evening with a junior account manager working on the Vodafone account and a copywriter. As great as it was being selected to go to Colenso, the chance for six days at Aim Proximity would have been icing. I’m going to say I wasn’t given it because I let it slip the day before that I was ‘sick as a dog’ leading to an, ‘oh… perhaps you should join one of the other groups then, there’ll be more chances later,’ but Colenso really is the next best thing, and I was stoked.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Colenso were recently awarded the top agency of the decade overshadowing advertising giants Saatchi and Saatchi who have held top spot for most of New Zealand’s recent history. Colenso’s most predominant clients include Vodafone, Yellow, Fonterra, V Energy Drink, Air New Zealand and more recently Westpac and Burger King. You may remember some of their award winning ads on telly, such as the Tip Top, simplifying summer one where they explained the difference between undies and togs and all those funny little Frank soft drink ads (plus many, many more).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Anyway, on Thursday just before 5pm, a group of young hopefuls met in the lobby at the Colenso/Aim Proximity building at the top of College Hill. We were quite nervous, unknowing of what to expect. However, we knew we were in for an interesting time after seeing the dozens and dozens of awards sitting inside the front desk and a shabby tree house dangling from the ceiling. After an agonizing 20 minute wait, a young chap bounced down the stairs, introduced himself as James and led us up to the second floor. He led us past a room which appeared to be the creative workplace but really resembled a playground featuring grown men and woman chasing each other amongst party lights and decorations and then eventually into a board room. I felt like I was walking through Hogwarts.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">On the wall at the end of the board room hung a million inch TV, overlooking a massive table with big soft, cushiony seats. Upon the table sat a neat selection of cold beers and chips from which we were offered and then asked to take a seat. Zoe, our copywriting friend soon joined us and so began an exciting, career enlightening presentation.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">James led the way and spoke about what it means to work for Colenso and spoke about what exactly it is he does as a junior account manager working on the Vodafone account. It was great. As he spoke, he began ticking all of my boxes one by one. His job boasts the perfect balance of creativity, management and sales and best of all; he gets to dress like a boss every single day for work. I’ll go into more detail on this next week. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Zoe then followed with a spiel about herself and what it’s like to work as a creative at Colenso. After coming from DDB in Sydney, she said that the suits at Colenso are miles ahead of anyone she’s previously worked with in terms of knowledge and synchronisation. While we learn about what happens in an agency every day at Uni, it was awesome getting a first-hand account from someone our own age. She confirmed and denied many industry rumours for us, the worst being the possibility of crazy work hours, but when you’re working the best job in the world, who the fuck cares? </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">They then gave us a preview of an upcoming campaign they are designing for Vodafone where they are offering people a salary to work for a charity for a year to show that it’s possible to make a difference in the world (and I believe it’s already begun). They then went over the thoughts and concepts behind it all and how it all tied into the final product.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">After some Q&A, we said our goodbyes and left the building with high spirits. We were promised a quality encounter and it definitely delivered (although 6 days work experience would’ve been much better; I’m allowed to be bitter.) Most importantly, I got my first business card. Contacts within the industry are potentially more valuable than time and experience and I’m really looking forward to what I could possible make of this baby.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Now what you’ve been waiting for, answers to last week’s puzzle:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJRuy8SqSixhYpnCaYlO4j6fkX0CGZ0nvDQS664T6kZKQF23w11-Bd_Bl9hXy37JmVgxLkwd-qgo9KvLqvX834VfkaXYOhhKUPDifu6Htx2NViYOqkDPJ-BhJ1tbldfM7GV2NZhrg_7f6/s320/answers.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518835425432861026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px; " /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Visit our </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/We-Are-Not-Creatives/127799503931362?ref=ts">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> and </span><a href="http://twitter.com/isnotcreative">Twitter</a><span class="Apple-style-span">!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></o:p></p>bengmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14928942329687669879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-89861644243618058832010-09-19T15:22:00.001+12:002010-09-19T15:24:42.230+12:00Pride and Procastination<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Writing is not easy.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I’ve had all week to write this blog and do you know when I started? This morning. I’ve had it in the back of my mind all week but the actual writing started this morning. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Even then it was a mission to start.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I woke up this morning at around seven as I have seemed to over the last few months which really is annoying me (I am going to have to take up computer games again so that I stay up later and waste the morning with sleep).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I rolled over checked facebook, and thought about starting to write. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I wrote a sub-par blog about a dream I had in which Hugh, Jack Bauer and I were trying to siege a pirate ship that was atop a tall hill. But in the end of the dream we got distracted by cheap tickets to snow planet (what there was a stall on the side of the road leading up to the pirate ship castle). There was also a nice scene were mine and Hugh’s families came together and had dinner, godfather style, not knowing that the others father was the leader of the opposite army (don’t ask who’s dad was in charge of the pirate ship castle we were trying to siege, I wish I knew). There was also a shotgun convention. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As you can see while my dreams are cinematic, complex and twisted like a Kubrick film they don’t make the best reading (however I decided to turn it into a play and if I ever get it past act one you can all have a read.).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So I put some pants on, watched some discovery. Made some toast and thought long and hard about what I wanted to write about, well that’s a lie. I thought long and hard about a witty title that references a famous piece of literary work that would make me seem smarted and more learned than I actually am.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So after an hour or so of clicking anything and everything that was blue and even remotely interesting on wikip</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:13.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ædia</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I had done nothing except waste another hour of my morning.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">With a hangover in full effect and my breakfast beer empty I knew something had to be done and fast.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So back on went the pants and down stairs I went to retrieve a breakfast cider (because another beer would make me and alcoholic).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My voyage of self and cider discovery was interrupted on the way back to my room, and freedom once again from my accursed pants, by discovery channel. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">All I have to say about that is Bear Grylls is dreamy and that I could probably get away with killing someone.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After returning to my room I decided a run would clear my head and do me some good. I put on some laundry and decided a run was like a gym and a tan so I have my vitamin G.T.L for the day (Jersey Shore was also on this morning).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I went for a run and thought further about my blog.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I thought of all the high-minded things I could talk about and then I thought of how hard it is to think of high-minded things.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So I got home and started to write this.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I really wanted to leave a pinter-esk ending in which you as an audience didn’t know what the hell was going on but I though I better give you something to think about. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So here it goes.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Writing is hard. You actually have to sit down and do it when the world has so much more it wants you to do.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But if you enjoy it you’ll do it. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Because at the end of the day it’s something to do. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Whole Thing Stinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09344630100804056897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-76019629563420896172010-09-17T17:51:00.004+12:002010-09-17T18:03:09.816+12:00Introductory Rant From The Latest WANCer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As an introduction,<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ben Hope<br />Radio major (to graduate in 5 weeks all things going well)<br />Hard worker, big talker, some time party animal</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />I enjoy a decent amount of music, and talking about music and the world at large and politics and economics and oh so many things. I take the outlook that knowledge is a wonderful thing that we can never really have enough of.<br />I’ll be the first to admit I can have a difficulty in getting across an idea in written form, but I will try my best.<br />When I approached Hugh to become a WANCer I wasn’t sure what I would write about, i enjoy the business side of radio and media, because let’s face it that where the money is and there is nothing i love more than dollar bills in my pocket. I enjoy schmoozing clients, talking to people about what interests them and them making heaps of money by doing it. I also love a bit of audio production, and still marvel at the awesomeness of creating a something and trying to find that intersecting point whereby your creation comes to life in the listeners mind.<br />I also enjoy a good rant.<br /><br />After intro’s, let us get serious, well sort of.<br /><br />The world used to be so slow. In the days pre World War I stuff was pretty good. I mean sure people had to deal with the fact a common cold could kill them, 40% of women died in childbirth because doctors didn’t wash their hands and Heinz hadn’t thought up ketchup, but on the whole it’s a time I wish I existed in. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />Back then it was simple to be a human, you got up at sunrise, did some menial labour job, got paid, home before dark, read a book, listened to a bit of the wireless or the evening paper to follow the breaking stories of some crackpot American inventor harnessing electricity, flushing toilets and the progress of the Titanic. How exciting!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When you look back in time, those past generations of ourselves did so much more than we have, the biggest thing the modern world can claim is perfecting the art of lying politicians, warfare and and reality TV shows.<br />Now days we have this intrusive media sphere shaping our lives, the continual shrinking of privacy and personal space. It used to be if you wanted people to care about you or vice versa you had to go talk to them, now its a simple friend request and your ‘mates’ with half the freaking globe. This may sound like old tosh, and that I’m just bitter I don’t have 1000 friends but its more of a fact I really don’t like the modern world. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />I dislike the new deranged ideas of architecture with it’s sharp lines, excessive use of glass and using off-white to accentuate sparseness. I dislike that 4 percent of the population hold 80% of the wealth (and the instilled belief that it shouldn’t be regulated by the people because one day they too could be that wealthy), I dislike that entire countries are held to ransom for the idea of democracy, I dislike the threat of nuclear war and I especially dislike the fact that though there are heaps of great people trying to solve this ‘global warming’ thing, damn car companies are squashing the greatest of ideas (my personal favourite is putting hoses into the atmosphere, pumping up sulphur gas to give the impression of a volcanic eruption, it’ll cost about 50 million to set up, but that’s a lot less than the projected 1.6 billion per YEAR Ford & the American’s think we need to spend). </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />As you can tell, I dislike a lot of things, currently at the top of my list is men with incorrectly tied ties, people who start sentences with ‘so’ and twitter. Twitter I feel is ruining the fabric of society, I understand the ramifications of this and will take your disagreements, but they must be in 140 characters or less.<br />Currently twitter is in the process of reformatting their website, keeping the same chronological feed on the right while allowing pictures and videos embedded to play on the left. This was done for the users Twitter CEO Evan Williams said “It’s all about getting more out of Twitter in a lot less time.”. A lot less time? Are you serious, it’s already a 140 character maximum bullshit boring ass “technological marvel” that lets famous people say witty funny things that were more than likely not thought up by them in the first place, in the hope of being retweeted and thus gaining more fans, some peoples need for acceptance and to be liked is truly sick. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />My main grudge against twitter is actually attack on social media and how they suck away the precious moments of our lives.. Already our society is pretty fast moving, new things appear in days and before we have had time to process, understand and accept its reformatted to something new.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />No wonder old people complain about this ever changing world. I have a tough time remembering what Aotea Square used to look like. That is worrying, at my age i should be able too but what is really at the core of it, i just never took the time. Social media formats like twitter, Facebook or Myspace and those other faceless technological behemoths seem to suck away the hours, especially for those of us with extra time on our hands (and those with jobs let us all admit to the cheeky Facebook check, just in case you got a comment or tagged).<br /><br />So that’s me in a nutshell, I’ll try not to be such a doomsayer and an old curmudgeon next time, but occasionally I can get pretty wound up.</span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Thought by Ben Hope.</span></span></span></div>We Are Not Creativeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307881395266180161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-27507996960885661032010-09-15T21:18:00.002+12:002010-09-15T21:27:16.409+12:00Slogans for Bogans<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When it comes to creating a good slogan for a brand you can’t just do it. Rather it takes a lot of hard work. The slogan needs to slip off your tongue but stick to your brain. Where do you want to go today? Who cares because advertising is everywhere you want to be, therefore the slogans we see sure as shit better stand out amongst the crowd. You want a slogan that changes everything. Again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, what can you do to ensure your slogan sticks out. Well for starters, like every creative idea, don’t just think small. Think different. Make sure the way you execute an idea has grace, space, pace… the slogan should be elegant. It needs to essentially sum up the benefit of the brand in one line. Which is pretty difficult if you want to reach out and touch someone in a meaningful way.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The goal is to get your audience thinking yeah ok, I’ll buy that product because I’m worth it. Nailing that perfect slogan isn’t gonna be easy, you can’t sit around and expect it to hit you in the face and say what up. I’m 90% sure 30% of copywriters who come up with the killer slogans you see retire immediately due to never being able to achieve that level of omfg awesomeness again. It’s just how this game works amigos.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On a side note, why are Adam and I such a good team? We try harder. And when you’ve got it, flaunt it. We do, we are cocky bastards who think we are awesome and no one can bring us down. The result? Finger lickin’ good work. Give us 20 minutes and we’ll give you the world. Just one tip from us to help you on your way, Guinness is good for you (or maybe that’s just from Adam, shits nasty).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Where was I? oh right, I was telling you how to be all you can be and write groundbreaking and age-defying slogans. To be honest I don’t know how to write slogans, I usually metaphorically punch Adam in the gut till he chokes something out then I edit it to make it better, then he whinges, then we change it a little, then I edit it to make it better. Just, don’t sit round jacking off, It’s what your right arm’s for, but please don’t squeeze the Charmin’. As I noted before you need to get active and hunt out a reason why people will buy and then condense it into a line. You want to end up with something that melts in your mouth, not in your hand (whatever that means).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Whatever you end up with make it the best a man can get. And with that, I conclude this blog post and collect my tally. 18 slogans used in this post. Shit, I was hoping for more. Well if you find like, 15 of them, and can tell me the brand they are for, then I’ll write a blog about your exploits in a pre-historic land set in the distant future. Put your answers on the facebook page.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cheers.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-82810987217575760872010-09-13T21:36:00.007+12:002010-09-14T19:02:49.819+12:00Thinking Outside The Box<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPvNNdnEdf6sPipTN2DTU8hAimIhIYbFYCagOKR2Nlm6XXD2_cZ3OGV-OuWiurFIvxTe4oFVR7J-mFQgD2gJaic0B3WmNcSjBbVeoboaBy2ufYa3sipFu0E_QZEPL4ECSDFm9C_WaXfcd/s1600/pic.png"></a></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve been forced to think creatively? Of course you have. You do it every day. Time management and general efficiency are all the result of creative thinking. You don’t get paid for another two days and your food rations are quickly depleting. How does one make dinner with the remnants in your pantry; tomato paste, stale bread, drinking chocolate and creamed rice? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">You don’t.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">You strike a deal with your flat mate. You convince them you’re worth the left over spagbol, that they really want to trade your three pack of creamed rice for a Mi Goreng noodle. They don’t need to eat that pre-cooked butter chicken packaged perfectly in a take-away container because they went for a run today; no silly, it won’t keep one more night. I’m not cheap, I’m just thinking outside the box.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">No, I already told you I’m not poor, as a matter of fact I’m rich! After all, they say that a penny saved is a penny earned. Think about how much money I saved when I didn’t pitch in for that light saber for your birthday, that’s right buddy, you’re getting something special next year! How this blog went from how to think creatively to me trying to justify to myself that it’s okay not having a real job. I don’t know, maybe one of the my compadres can teach you the secrets of succeeding down your creative path but for now, I’m going to go over five ways on how to be more like me!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Do not buy your fruit and veg from the super market. This should really be common </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">knowledge but don’t fall for their convenience. You can buy about 20 little button </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">mushrooms from the asains down the road for about $3. Just because you’re poor doesn’t </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">mean you have to eat bad. Speaking of super markets, don’t go to Countdown. It’s shit. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Paknsave is better in every way. Better brands, better prices, better selection. Just don’t.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.onedaydeals.co.nz/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">www.onedaydeals.co.nz</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">. Everyone has heard of 1-day, but there are like 50 of these fucking </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">websites out there now and here you can view them all on one page! Underwear is the last </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">thing you think about budgeting for and when you’ve ripped your last good pair and are hit </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">with a $25 price tag at Farmers, this website will save your ass (yes, I said it). Three pairs </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">of Jockeys for $30? Roger that. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">When it comes to flatting, set up a flat account. Putting away extra each week for the </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">bills </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">and flat buys is an absolute life saver. The last thing you need is being hit with a winter </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">power bill when you’ve had to fork out for eight 21</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">’s in a month (figuratively, of course).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">4. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">When you do go shopping, first of all eat before you go. Shopping on a full stomach stops you </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">from buying shit. Secondly, don’t buy snack foods. They are a waste of time, they don’t fill </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">you up, they’re expensive, they come faster than they go and most of all, they’re super bad </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">for you. Health tips now Ben?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">You’re really struggling tonight aren’t you?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">5.</span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Drink before you go out. $7 for a beer is a joke. It’s funny when you think about it, when you’re down at the pub enjoying a beer, you never want to buy some wedges cause they’re just a bit too pricey, but you’re never reluctant to buy another fucking beer.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I’m done.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">P.S. On the subject of creativity, give this puzzle a go. Try and draw a line through each of the nine dots using only four strokes of the pen. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Edit: You can't take your pen off the paper.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPvNNdnEdf6sPipTN2DTU8hAimIhIYbFYCagOKR2Nlm6XXD2_cZ3OGV-OuWiurFIvxTe4oFVR7J-mFQgD2gJaic0B3WmNcSjBbVeoboaBy2ufYa3sipFu0E_QZEPL4ECSDFm9C_WaXfcd/s320/pic.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516334294911612882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Extras for experts: three strokes.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">You'll punch something when you figure it out: one stroke.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Answers next week!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>bengmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14928942329687669879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-50909681755309934062010-09-12T20:52:00.005+12:002010-09-12T21:45:26.828+12:00The Importance Of Being Emo.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Life, dear readers, can be pretty crap.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">However, it can be pretty choice. So it balances out.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">But it’s not the bad times that make us who we are. It’s not the good times either. It’s the act of living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jelly touched on the fact that when you're writing about something it's easier if you're going through it yourself and that’s true. Very wise writers, much wiser and with much more experience than I, the world over suggest that the best thing a writer can do is live. As you live your life just write. Not a diary or anything like that, but do that if it helps. If you like writing you should just do it when ever. For the hell of it. Put words on paper for any reason. Write anything, poems, stories whatever. No one has to read it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And as I’ve lived my life over the last few months dealing with everything it has to offer me I’ve written. Witten not about how I feel I’ve just written. I’ve now got scores of random documents on my computer, poems, short stories all sorts. No one will ever read them, probably.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">But they are there in my arsenal for if I ever need them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">P.S. It’s been a long week. I’ll write something funny for next time. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-AU">P.P.S. My vote is for “Two in the Pink one in the Ink.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Whole Thing Stinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09344630100804056897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-67753430604520725242010-09-10T18:52:00.007+12:002010-09-10T19:37:41.496+12:00The Commodification Of Writing<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ain’t no such things as halfway crooks.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />After reading Ben’s perceptive blog post on The Gruen Transfer, I wondered why there were no similar shows about writing. Although I haven’t actually seen The Gruen Transfer, I can understand the appeal of watching a bunch of wise-cracking advertisers flaunt their shit to a panel of judges. The show gives viewers an insight to the industry and, most importantly, it <span style="font-weight: bold;">entertains</span>.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Eventually I came to the sad conclusion that a television show about some budding writer hunched over his computer probably wouldn’t draw too many viewers – unless I was on it, of course. While I enjoy creative writing as much as the next guy, even I can see that it lacks the <span style="font-weight: bold;">danger</span>, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">intensity</span>, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">jizz-on-your-face action</span> that today’s society requires of its entertainment. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />How do w</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">e solve this?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If they can redesign <span style="font-style: italic;">cricket </span>– the world’s most boring activity to engage in, let alone <span style="font-style: italic;">watch </span>– into the almost spectator-friendly game, 20/20 cricket, I’m sure someone can turn the act of writing into something resembling a dynamite-laden bouncy castle on acid.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Maybe writing needs to be packaged, <span style="font-style: italic;">commodified</span>, into something a little more spectacular.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Shit, <span style="font-style: italic;">yeah</span>.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can picture it now. A creative writing game show. It would have to be hosted by someone charismatic and trustworthy to the public. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/352f37b">David Attenborough</a>? <a href="http://tinyurl.com/mrj3kq">The Rock</a>? <a href="http://tinyurl.com/36qzfdn">Jenna Haze</a>? Hmm. I think they'd each bring something unique to the show.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Due to outrageous public demand, the show would probably be broadc</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ast nightly across multiple channels, possibly in place of the 6 p.m. news shows. The news shows could be played later at night or even scrapped altogether. (How much news do people really need, anyway? Christchurch had an earthquake, we get it. Meanwhile, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/38827uk">in Africa…</a>)</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The show would have to have some kind of badass, attention-demanding name, which at the same time communicated the objective and content of the show.<br /><br />Something like:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >FIGHT TO WRITE</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">or</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >CREATIVE CARNAGE</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />or</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WORD WARS</span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />or</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TWO IN THE PINK, ONE IN THE INK</span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I’m still undecided on the name. They’ve all got potential.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Each show would have four contestants: two loud, proudly confident men, and two giggly, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">low-cut-singlet-wearing women. The host would give the contestants a character, a setting, and an obstacle, and then, armed with only pen and paper, they’d set out to write the best piece of fiction they could – all while bathing in the lungs of a thousand llamas, or setting themselves on fire, or engaging in fights to the death with one another.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Gore, sex, explosions, creative writing.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Fuck, <span style="font-style: italic;">yes</span>.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I’m salivating just thinking about this show. And I don’t mean at the mouth.</span><br /><br /><br />--- <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br />This picture goes out to Ashley. It’s a spider giving a marketing report. I think I made the stapler too big.</span><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Jelly/Documents/Uni/Creative/Creative%20blog/week2pic.png" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpFAMox2zvogk9IZDEtVZZTgzVNKcNboRsx5dqRiLdin40-oD3AXeweKq0vF6UuOwc23QBz9Gw5hbfE-MYYzy9NYlwkD2oryHku2JlkX4bNsVWXikvmJT3GXdyR2e9PPu7jxiEofdMHdf/s1600/week2pic.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpFAMox2zvogk9IZDEtVZZTgzVNKcNboRsx5dqRiLdin40-oD3AXeweKq0vF6UuOwc23QBz9Gw5hbfE-MYYzy9NYlwkD2oryHku2JlkX4bNsVWXikvmJT3GXdyR2e9PPu7jxiEofdMHdf/s320/week2pic.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515175608912316018" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-58087645539294832732010-09-08T19:18:00.002+12:002010-09-09T14:27:29.071+12:00Black Eyed Innocents.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When you get told your idea is shit it can be pretty tempting to punch someone in the face. You feel particularly angry, like a niche style of anger. The kind of anger where you don’t want to punch just someone in the face, but a squirrel, or the arrogant neighbourhood kid who refuses to move when you are trying to reverse out of your driveway (you know who you are and just you wait till I get told one of my ideas is shit boy).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">But yeah, let me manage your anger for you. Even though, as the above paragraph may suggest, I am terrible at managing my own. Ok! So here goes. Just some little tips to managing anger (elaboration: by manage I may mean pass on)(further elaboration: I just lost the close bracket key, rage).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Blame your partner</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You are the best creative in the world. And you would have been epic if it wasn’t for your partner. Even if you did all the work, ruthlessly deny your part in the assignment and blame them for putting together the worst brief you’ve ever seen. The key to this one is dedication, don’t just start denying then bail out, be American.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Stab someone</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I know, I know. I know<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Drink</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We live in New Zealand. When the world is getting you down because someone can’t appreciate your genius it’s time to get patriotic. Crack open a monteiths, better yet, have a pint, better yet, buy a jug. Drink that bad boy down and think about how awesome you are as that frown floats itself upside down. Note with this one: Don’t beat your wife, don’t expect eggs to be cooked for you, and don’t recklessly vandalise your sons property.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sexualise.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Or Sexually harass. Both good. This ones all about the tension relief and positive self-reinforcement. Spread your feathers you mighty peacock. If the ladies don’t want to look, give them a slap on the ass as a friendly reminder of your presence. If they like that, go all out and grab a boob. If you get away with all that you’ll be left thinking “what bad idea?” and possibly even pull a number. Stud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Petty Crimes.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Specialising in petty theft. Gum, choc bars, etc. Litter! No one can take anger in like the good old punching bag that is mother nature. Tip chemicals down the drain and think of all the marine wildlife you are abusing. Got a D grade? Hell, bury a plastic bag! That shit don’t bio-D-grade. Just do something abusive. It’ll take it all in and spit It out on future generations. Generations that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">you </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">won’t have to worry about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:small;">I know these are shit ideas and probably won’t help. But when you are totally down in the dumps one day, try one, you might feel better. Just don’t try it round me, unless it the drinking one, even then it’s on you.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Till next we meet, Cheers.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-36533002120583511082010-09-06T20:14:00.008+12:002010-09-07T10:48:31.180+12:00The Gruen Transfer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you're one of those fortunate people to have Sky, or better yet MySky, (because let's face it, no one wants to miss Outrageous Fortune) then you may have heard of a show on Comedy Central at 8.30 on Tuesday evenings called </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gruen_Transfer"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Gruen Transfer</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Gruen Transfer is an Australian based show focusing on advertising. For those who are blissfully unaware of advertising, how it works and why it's so fascinating, this is a great place to get involved. It's currently in it's third season however Comedy Central are only up to the second in New Zealand.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This funny as guy Wil (with one L) Anderson hosts the shot along with a panel of 'advertising experts' who are regularly shifted around. There are two dudes who have permanent spots on the panel named Todd Sampson and Russel Howcroft. Todd has this crazy American accent which isn't quite so American, and it really pisses me off trying to guess where he's from, and he's a douche. Russel has no sense of humour and everyone blatantly doesn't like him. These two fight all the time and it's really cringe-worthy trying to watch.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anyway, on the show they scrutinize and pick apart ads and give some really interesting insight into the back story of the campaigns etc. There is usually an ECD (Executive Creative Director) featured on the show who is usually able to answer the questions on why </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BjEwDAq2ZM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">certain ads</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> were actually given the okay and put through into production.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The show is split up into many, entertaining segments. These segments include Ad of the Week, where Wil and the bunch look at an ad and discuss how effective it really is, What is this Ad for, where the beginning of an ad is shown a then stopped, then the panel of experts need to guess what exactly the ad is trying to sell. This segment is where some true creativity shines. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My favourite segment however is one called The Pitch, where the producers write up a brief and challenge two top ad agencies from Australia and New Zealand to try and sell something which would normally be considered unsellable. Such as plastic surgery to children and cane toads as lovable, domesticated house pets. </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lffFY0wcYGU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Saatchi and Saatchi Wellington</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> and </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v99BNUEVN8s"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Y&R Auckland</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> both gave this one a shot. The judges then vote and award a representative with a fun little trophy that means nothing. Riveting stuff.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here is a great <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfY7VzO0AFI&NR=1">clip</a> where two agencies were given the task to make Australia as unappealing as possible for the tourist. Second one is fucking gold!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Once you get passed how heavily edited this show is, it's a fantastic watch. I'd highly recommend and you don't have to know anything about ads to enjoy it. Even my flat mates who couldn't give a fuck about advertising have a good time watching it. It's all over youtube and I'm sure it's streamable online. In a nutshell, it's a bunch of pals having a few laughs about figuring out ways to make people buy useless shit that they don't want. Wil is a fucking hoot too and carries the show (and even though it's obviously scripted, he delivers.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">While I'm on this subject I should probably mention New Zealand's answer called, wait for it, The Ad Show. It's shown on TVNZ 6 or 7 or something and just sucks ass. It features two terribad presenters talking to scrubs in the audience who have no idea what they're talking about. I've only ever watched it once and haven't exactly been a hurry to again. You'll find it streaming on the TVNZ website somewhere if you want to give it a go, but please don't judge our industry based on this crap. Go google The Gruen Transfer.</span></span></div>bengmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14928942329687669879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-44442101570475947302010-09-05T18:09:00.005+12:002010-09-05T19:55:47.536+12:00To Begin at the Beginning.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I feel a little sorry for you readers.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While you should all be happy to see that I have entered the proud halls of WANCer HQ and that I will now be WANCing away every Sunday (yes WANC based puns I know I’m a horrible person.) today’s post must unfortunately be one of those pointless introductory posts.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So Hi WANCers I’m Adam Martin. Copy Writer and creative soul mate of Hugh. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’m the modest one of our partnership. The one that thinks our ideas are only okay until told otherwise by someone with the authority to proclaim these things. I’m also the quiet one, believe it or not, when pitching Hugh does most of the talking and I watch the client beady eyed. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hugh and I have been working together creatively for years now. One of the first things that we got told at uni was never pick a friend to be your creative partner. Tutors promised the ends of friendships, poor creative work and the fact that we would probably murder each other. We pretty much proved them wrong on that one, at least for now. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So why are we an exception to this rule. I wouldn’t have a clue to be honest. Our creative ability isn’t based on the fact that we think the same, we don’t, its not that our processes are similar, they aren’t, in fact the way I think of things seems to quite annoy Hugh (apparently there is very little to differentiate whether I’m thinking of copy or staring at the wall). What we have created over the 7 or 8 years of knowing each other is our own shorthand. A series of reference points that allows us to explain and expand on the most far out ideas with the greatest of ease. I can’t imagine working without this.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The other thing is how comfortable you are with your partner. I’m a bit of a shy person when it comes to creativity, I think everything I do is shit until I get told its amazing and even then. But of course after knowing Hugh of a long time I’m not going to hold back when I have an idea I think might be shit. An idea based around, say, how a trex doesn’t like energy drinks cause the can is to big and he only has tiny dinosaur arms (that’s an actual idea I had by the way). </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As a final point I think the truest creative partnership you can find is one where you wouldn’t be as good without each other. And It was pointed out to me once that Hugh and I aren’t good as ‘Hugh’ and ‘Adam’ but when we come together we create what many have said is, at least, above average work. And if I can continue to get paid for fucking round with my best mate, then advertising is choice.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well till next week Happy WANCing.</span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Whole Thing Stinkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09344630100804056897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-92051961066432673422010-09-03T21:33:00.012+12:002010-09-03T22:31:22.418+12:00An Astute Assessment Of The Average Of Authors<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I won't deny it, I'm a straight ridah.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So a few days ago I was sharing my vast and humbling knowledge of the world with someone. I can’t remember who it was, but they were suitably impressed by my charm and good looks, and the conversation soon turned to literature and writing. I remember this particular conversation because it prompted a situation that I seldom find myself in: they asked a question that I didn’t know the answer to.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"What is the average age of a published author?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The room went silent. The DJ stopped the record and the lights flickered back on. I just stood there </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">shocked</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, gaping stupidly at them, before excusing myself and scurrying home to rethink my life. In a cocoon of blankets, I huddled on the floor, the question slowly creeping over me, the words wrapping themselves around my limbs like a ball of twine, cutting into my skin.<br /><br />Changing me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Days passed. A caterpillar emerges from its cocoon as something beautiful. When I emerged I was no longer human. I was a shadow of myself, a body consumed by an answerless torment. I was half question, half man.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >?man. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I sat at my computer, refusing to eat, staring blankly at the screen through blood streaked eyes. One night I painted the question in block capitals across the walls of my room, the dripping words cruel and taunting. Every now and then I’d be seized by little snippets of thought that could be the answer to my plaguing question, and I’d whisper these half-formed ideas to myself:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >"Somewhere between ‘old’ and ‘fucking old.'"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But I couldn’t help feeling that this wasn’t an accurate enough answer. I turned to Google.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4540705.stm">A study performed by the BBC</a> suggests that <span style="font-weight: bold;">50 years of age marks an author's peak</span>. Wow. Indicative of the maturity that a writer needs I suppose, but pretty depressing, really. Slightly less gloomy are the findings <a href="http://www.jimchines.com/2010/03/survey-results/">from this guy</a>, (who needs a new fucking hobby, holy shit) which claim that <span style="font-weight: bold;">36 years old is the average age at which an author sells their first professional novel</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Either way, if I succumb to being a statistic, I’ve got at least another <span style="font-weight: bold;">15 years</span> before I see a novel get published. Or <span style="font-weight: bold;">29 years</span> if I choose to believe the BBC’s research. Which I don’t. Glass is half full, right?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What am I going to do with 15 years? What if, after 15 years, I still lack the maturity and insight and experience that a professional writer needs?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is a ridiculous industry. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />?man</span> need a buckie.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDgE6gPN-mJGML2KrWIjxaDpP-w6-BBQsGVMB18asWmwuOQO160Ol8GJ7QpPnARHn1IjPiPJQ1mr1029NVnwpJ-8rsUNrq4EfCBq33gHEdEBufbJm_4zOWLzL7d_RBzGNx-6uoN1aSeal/s1600/questionman.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDgE6gPN-mJGML2KrWIjxaDpP-w6-BBQsGVMB18asWmwuOQO160Ol8GJ7QpPnARHn1IjPiPJQ1mr1029NVnwpJ-8rsUNrq4EfCBq33gHEdEBufbJm_4zOWLzL7d_RBzGNx-6uoN1aSeal/s320/questionman.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512626479981893490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-53035606658629454172010-09-01T21:05:00.001+12:002010-09-07T00:05:45.466+12:00X & Y Axis<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Trying to get this humble pie down me but it is just so, so hard. Adam and I were nominated in the Axis awards student category. Essentially making us one of the three most pimping it, up and coming creative teams in NZ at the moment. I think that deserves a fuck yes, and a friendly “we have wisdom and we wish to share it”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So what do awards mean for creatives and agencies? Well, essentially awards help build profile for everyone involved. They create notoriety for agencies and teams alike. And of course they </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">award</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> excellence in the creative field which is always nice since after slaving for countless hours on a campaign, staying up till well past 1am, continually doubting yourself, and wondering if it is really worth it, a good old fashioned pat on the back goes a long way. Especially if that pat on the back resembles a shiny new trophy.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So what happens at industry awards? Well, I’ve been to a few industry award ceremonies now and a few industry functions and all I can say is snap. Look at it this way, the advertising industry has X amount of dollars running through it each year. Translate 90% of that X amount and you roughly get the amount on the bar tab at each of these functions. The remaining 10% goes to the best tapas style finger-food you’ve ever had. For the evening you glide around the room from bar to platter whilst rubbing shoulders with some industry big dogs (of which I’ll soon be one, sorry I can’t resist).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Next, the awards part. Usually accompanied by some sort of industry-in-joke centred video. Which I must say is quite insightful and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">actually</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> funny. This part of the evening is probably not for Ben, who stands at the back of 21st party speeches and whispers ‘</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">bro this is so cbf’</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> to anyone near him, but if you can enjoy it then this time is a good time to congratulate peers and fellow creative’s for their work. If they beat you, accept it and applaude, if you won, then dance up on that stage and go collect your giant novelty cheque for ONE BILLION DOLLARS!!! You crazy bastards.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Finally after all the awards have been handed out and new grudges have formed, the bar tab opens up again! Heeeeeeey! At this point of the evening most people slip out under the cover of a looser crowd moving to the back of the room where the bar is. If not, and they choose to stay, it’s usually pretty dam lifeless and at this point you’re more loitering than a guest. So go on, enjoy the time with the people around you and laugh slightly as the people who serve you and have to clean up after you leave wait around. (chill out, chill out, Adam and I have done our fair share of Hospitality and Catering, it’s the circle of life).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So wancers. To conclude. Advertising awards, get them, go to them. The two ways one can earn an award are, Scam ads (Ads made purely for the purpose of winning awards) or by good old fashioned on-the-money and on brief creative solutions. Sadly, the scams usually have it but should never be dwelled on or over-used, use them as career starters for notoriety, not career supports. Finally, try to be a creative’s plus one to award ceremonies, you’ll get all the benefits, without having to talk to anyone. On that note I’m single……. Ladies *tips hat*</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10809573570635920655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5196559366799761516.post-20471898792317146502010-08-30T17:17:00.008+12:002010-08-30T22:42:32.334+12:00When I grow up I want to be a...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzo5fGXvfwkgo54hf-AvWBguSEYDUN9shC-Xu47yGHO_c-WWydwKBkeBJYR4AjJjQNtZYReI7exZl5slwXyYHGzJ9uO5K6jQA6xLdhrxwB8kgr5iVzsihEyW1gmPGIzyjknlMN4aq2ewE/s1600/can_open2.jpg"></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here at WANC we’re making a few changes.</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:'trebuchet ms';" class="Apple-style-span"><b> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Firstly, as you’ve already seen, we’re adding Adam to the roster for those Sunday lates. Now you don’t have a reason to worry while clicking through your daily browse on Sunday nights, raging at having to wait another whole day before your next WANC fix. We’re hoping he can bring a fresh new dish to the social and expand on the content that we already have to offer. Expect good things from this man.</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Secondly, while our readers may enjoy the wild banter that goes on or what concerts Jelly goes to, we are really looking at tapping into a subject that everybody will want to read about, not simply about our homework. While we hope that we are providing a new and exciting perspective on the inner workings of what it’s like to be a budding creative, we realise that not everyone shares our passion or agrees with our lifestyle choices and while we can’t cater to everyone, we hope that each writer can at least provide something of value to the fans.</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Finally, we want to get this shit buzzing. We’re going to work on pushing our site even harder. We’ve broken the 100 fan barrier on </span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/We-Are-Not-Creatives/127799503931362?ref=ts"><span trebuchet=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Facey</span></span></span></a></span><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and have recently joined the ranks of the pros on </span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><a href="http://twitter.com/isnotcreative"><span trebuchet=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Twitter</span></span></span></a></span><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. We want to hear YOUR feedback on what you want us to write about, what you’d like to know about the creative world and what makes us different from accountants. You may not even care at all and would simply want us to just find you some funny pictures and have us prove that the internet certainly isn’t wasted on us. Feel free to comment on our posts/Facebook/Twitter and follow the blog and let us know how we can improve. Maybe blogging can be a good thing, right?</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We want to connect with other creatives and the like and get people excited about the future. I heard from some guy that big fuck off corperates are actually hiring people with BA’s over those with business degrees. Maybe that BA was actually worth it?</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With the introduction of new technologies and media every day, people are realising that the shit that your dad learned at school is quickly becoming obsolete and our generation seems to adapt seamlessly.</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Much like how Nana’s keyboard on her home computer doesn’t work properly because she hammers like her old typewriter. Remember how Granddad can recite every element on the periodic table or how he helped design the Auckland harbor bridge? How many times have you had to reset his router when he can’t send his emails?</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The world is changing whether we like it or not and being a creative doesn’t seem as unthinkable as it was ten years ago when we were growing up and trying to decide whether to be a professional soccer player or a zookeeper.</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In other news, Charles and I presented an assignment the other day where we had to expand on an already existing advertising campaign and show it could be done in new ways through mediums that it hadn’t previously used. We chose the Carlsberg campaign, you know, the one that’s like “Carlsberg don’t do this, but if they did, it would be the best radirah in the world.”</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span trebuchet="" times="" new="" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Have a geez.</span></span></span><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Would you buy it?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzo5fGXvfwkgo54hf-AvWBguSEYDUN9shC-Xu47yGHO_c-WWydwKBkeBJYR4AjJjQNtZYReI7exZl5slwXyYHGzJ9uO5K6jQA6xLdhrxwB8kgr5iVzsihEyW1gmPGIzyjknlMN4aq2ewE/s320/can_open2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511150114970791058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Can you guess what it is?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzSZhLGDw1VOSMEnKciYWhDuNqwbDPdx_YfDQC5WnQP67pVSH4u8bZHCLBKc6bl04iZOrHmpeOZ8wsUy1cHl0A6pa4c8AfPS3hDu1WoEO1WSl97x26rHRTG6fi9KkQwmnyIxycAPeDPjL/s1600/poster_1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzSZhLGDw1VOSMEnKciYWhDuNqwbDPdx_YfDQC5WnQP67pVSH4u8bZHCLBKc6bl04iZOrHmpeOZ8wsUy1cHl0A6pa4c8AfPS3hDu1WoEO1WSl97x26rHRTG6fi9KkQwmnyIxycAPeDPjL/s320/poster_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511150814725882194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxO0ccyjRZaJbK-ZeiASKAw7svWirerXYaFmDa0nOLcvtOHcuGEeYvdy_k8lP09f6RqVvQV3DWvtBAociddrPhAd-KESBRy1v1SAbYVUvVoeopwiASyeTyhoXPST1Z13_CEKa8fdGaETy/s1600/poster_2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxO0ccyjRZaJbK-ZeiASKAw7svWirerXYaFmDa0nOLcvtOHcuGEeYvdy_k8lP09f6RqVvQV3DWvtBAociddrPhAd-KESBRy1v1SAbYVUvVoeopwiASyeTyhoXPST1Z13_CEKa8fdGaETy/s320/poster_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511150811181945010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrMDtPdHqKTwXSvxSrVqMnxptHKa_RlrHzUTlXmILv1nddKw2OAygl6zWIAXFfijiS2-GEzrUOjEC7QH98wHzb0owGb6tNXwr5EGL0HZYPj-m6lmkRCZdUofnzIv1OiBnR22bi0FAWc9U/s1600/poster_3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrMDtPdHqKTwXSvxSrVqMnxptHKa_RlrHzUTlXmILv1nddKw2OAygl6zWIAXFfijiS2-GEzrUOjEC7QH98wHzb0owGb6tNXwr5EGL0HZYPj-m6lmkRCZdUofnzIv1OiBnR22bi0FAWc9U/s320/poster_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511150797208192082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaMLwf76QJlUUMqCRIjv5JvpDUb75GjAvA_txG6ra7ISEHdYyU70Npkr6JvfNvdKy-PA5yxXM5Ycnd9mX2Rd4cOPFjZoenqbLhq1mjL9l9vPcSDOliEVCXjebtMYnTnf52rAvvJZYL24v/s1600/poster_4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaMLwf76QJlUUMqCRIjv5JvpDUb75GjAvA_txG6ra7ISEHdYyU70Npkr6JvfNvdKy-PA5yxXM5Ycnd9mX2Rd4cOPFjZoenqbLhq1mjL9l9vPcSDOliEVCXjebtMYnTnf52rAvvJZYL24v/s320/poster_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511150783066049346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We just need a girl in this one to make it complete.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3y_WJXY8XtMWKVcJh8V9UHWxig2kV9vk3JWi7rS6YihI1EuXtlgi1AJv3n0soeOKrs0RYg90oTf9lqf7PNKozTcQxemOc7TSMW3ZS4fWGpyBhCxEY-6TstMHu8ALKqQlxXzxMwyej1l2a/s320/bus_stop_2after.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511151176181030530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></o:p></p></b></span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></p>bengmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14928942329687669879noreply@blogger.com0