BrandDNA is on holiday

Great for Christmas games

A little something for the design freaks looking for something 'designed' in their Xmas stocking.

The CMYK playing cards were created by Hundred Million.

Click here to buy yours.

Farewall Mr Waldie

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Brit creative Alan Waldie.

In the early part of my career I had a VHS tape of D&AD winners that a pinched from the TV production department during my work experience at McCann.

After much research I came to know the names of the people behind my favourite spots.

One of them was Alan Waldie who sadly passed away recently.

This 'My Fair Lady' inspired spot is one of my faves of his. 

Go away Star Wars

Only one thing I dislike more than bloody Star Wars and that's the seemingly endless array of brand tie-ins.

Case in point this one from Gillette.

I mean really. It's a goddamn razor for goodness sake!

DJ Shadow & Matt Devine

Earlier this month I was shooting a TVC with Matt Devine. At dinner one night I asked him what he'd been working on recently and he mentioned a DJ Shadow video clip that had yet to be released. Well now it has. Enjoy!

Watch & learn kids

Putting a folio together was far simpler when I was young.

Print. Poster. And a couple of scripts.

Easy.

Today there's a multitude of media. Not to mention ideas for apps and webstuff.

Which means many of the junior folios I look at feature work that needs explaining.

A lot of explaining.

This video from the D&AD is a must watch if you are a junior.

And even if you aren't.

As it shows you how to make is easy for people to understand and fall in love with your ideas.

You can thank me later.

Just do it

I was a copywriter at JWT. It was my first full time creative role.

I'd been in the job just two years when my creative director departed.

Senior people in the agency suggested my art director and I put ourselves up for the role as joint CDs.

She was keen but I most definitely wasn't.

In fact I still considered myself a junior if truth be told.

Then the unexpected happened. The ECD offered me the job.

I told him I didn't think I was ready.

But he most certainly did.

I've been a CD now on and off for the best part of 20 years.

So if you ever find yourself thinking you aren't ready to do or try something don't worry. Just do it. 

Eternal Children

It might be a parody but it's goddamn razor sharp. Enjoy!

Mini gets maxi

I had this same idea years ago for the launch of the Mondeo Stationwagon.

Client loved it.

But knocked it back because we ere supposed to be talking to a fleet audience.

Pretty sure people who drive fleet cars do actually go on airplanes.

But hey what would I know!

Anyway enough about me. Congrats to the Mini creatives who pulled this idea off.

Everything's gone greenery

On Friday Pantone made their annual announcement of the colour we are sure to be seeing a lot of in 2017.

Greenery.

Not green. Greenery.

Perhaps if we can get Greenery trending our politicians might think it's something to do with the environment.

Then again maybe not...

Huge sigh of relief

I've been desperate to update my MacBook Pro for ages.

So was hanging out for the launch of the new one.

But after all the talk about the USB-C ports I've decided to wait.

Now it seems help is at hand with the HyperDrive 5-1 Hub.

The clever piece of kit is sure to prove popular as it features 5 ports to add slots for an SDXC, a microSDXC, 2 USB 3.0, and an additional USB Type-C port.

You can get yours here. 

What's cooking on TV?

How cute is this spot for Canal pay TV?

When you stop and think about it, it must be pretty tough trying to get kids TV and sports and adult entertainment all into the same ad.

So kudos to Canal and their team for pulling it off!

Importance of kerning

The Flying Passenger

Good to have the crazy Volvo Trucks team back on the interwebs. 

Take a break

Nice change of pace from Nike.

I've been out of the office for a week filming.

No idea what I've missed while I've been away.

Guess I'll find out when I go back in the office on Tues. 

Yesterday's advertising

Two years ago this was a clever ad.

Today it doesn't work any more because Apple killed off the 'slide to unlock' feature.

Amazing the unexpected impact of technological change.

Don't you think?

Words at work

Nothing I love more than beautifully set type.

Sadly it's a dying art. Especially online.

But it's very important to me.

If only clients cared about it as much as I do.