Picturing the Past 10 Years

An interesting piece offered by the New York Times, created by Phillip Niemeyer, on the past decade.

Redscout Presents SPUR Episode 4: The Client’s Relationship With Planning. Is Planning Handicapped By “Advertising”?

Our first three episodes looked at how planners see planning and how the industry sees planning. In our fourth episode, we explore clients’ relationship with planning and how the craft is valued overall.

Clients are getting what they want from agencies, but are clients getting what they need from planners? What are they paying for and what are they getting? We also ask the question, is the value of planning limited by what advertising or communications inherently provides? To a hammer, is everything a nail?

Simple questions that cut to the core of the traditional agency model. All agree that the potential is to go further upstream and truly impact a Client’s business. And that, somehow, planning may be trapped within a potentially out-dated and self-perpetuating model.

via: PSFK & Redscout's SPUR video series exploring the intersection of brands, strategy, innovation and the world of account planning.

Redscout Presents SPUR Episode 3: Are Planners Glorified Researchers?

Whenever you ask about the history of planning you inevitably hear “the voice of the consumer.” And while the phrase has become a shorthand description of what planners do, we found that planners, the elite and the newbies alike, all feel it short-changes the actual job.

Interestingly, the insistence that “the voice of the consumer” is just a myth has resulted in a confounded description of the craft.

In our third episode of Spur we explore the differences between “planner as researcher” and “planner as something else,” whether that is creative muse, talent guru, or digital ninja.

Are planners just glorified researchers?

via: PSFK & Redscout’s SPUR video series exploring the intersection of brands, strategy, innovation and the world of account planning.

Redscout presents SPUR Episode 2: Talent

By asking our interviewees what qualities they think make a good planner as well as what they look for in a new hire or colleague, we uncover what's changing in the demands of the role and how the so-called Rockstars are setting the bar high.

The validity of the title "planner" is under fire in a world where hybrids and tech specialists push the boundaries, but a common theme we (in the brand-driven innovation space as opposed to a more pure communications house) found especially interesting.

Gaining extra credit means literally DOING more today; seeing ideas through and making things happen. Planning and strategy cannot be thinking and information alone, perhaps we are best placed to articulate ideas and shepherd the process after all.

via: PSFK & Redscout's SPUR video series exploring the intersection of brands, strategy, innovation and the world of account planning.

Redscout Presents SPUR Episode 1: Is Planning Impotent?

There is clearly a belief that planning suffers a bit from an identity crisis, tending to be self-referential and consumed by its own purpose and definition. Why is planning’s analytical lens so often turned upon itself? And why does planning often find itself validating its worth?

Perhaps Dan Cherry, managing partner at Anomaly, sums it up best when he wonders if planning is impotent. “If you have a point of view on the ‘plan,’ why wouldn’t you be involved in the doing?”

The more we talk about planning the more we realize that people outside the industry just don’t know what it is (or necessarily care). Planners want to impact real business and creativity more directly. Whether it’s “the output” as Gareth Kay puts it, or working further “upstream,” as Paul Woolmington says.

Is the agency model inherently an obstacle to good ‘planning’? Are the motivations of a planner beyond a tactic or medium? As we continue the series, we’ll continue to explore these questions and offer up new contexts for understanding planners. (The next episode will explore talent and what makes a good planner).

via: PSFK & Redscout’s SPUR video series exploring the intersection of brands, strategy, innovation and the world of account planning.

Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad man

The power of perceived value. Insightful and tremendously interesting view into our industry.

Poetry is when you make new things familiar and familiar things new. So, as ad men & women, we are truly poets!

Did You Know 4.0

Update to the original "Shift Happens" video. This Fall 2009 version includes facts & stats focusing on the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology.

¡ʇno ʇı ʞɔǝɥɔ

Flip your text upside down with the new Ben & Jerry FB App / ddɐ qɟ ʎɹɹǝɾ & uǝq ʍǝu ǝɥʇ ɥʇıʍ uʍop ǝpısdn ʇxǝʇ ɹnoʎ dılɟ

Vintage TV Ads

Free collection of vintage TV ads from Duke University

2009 Themes // Ideas Are Awesome

View more documents from Paul Isakson.

Balance Your Media Diet

"Practicing good nutrition keeps your mind sharp, your body fit, and your life long. The same could be said for consuming media. (Seriously, knowledge is power.) When you add it all up, the average American spends roughly nine hours a day glued to some kind of screen, and like your diet, quality is as important as quantity. Here are Wired's suggested servings for optimal media health."

Why Do People Go Online?

“Ruder Finn’s Intent Index is an ongoing online research study that provides a comprehensive analysis of the underlying motivations or reasons people go online – their intent.

Major intent categories list and prioritize specific activities people perform to fulfill their intent online. The Intent Index compares and contrasts intents for separate groups including men, women, youth, and seniors.

The Intent Index underscores the emerging trend that people’s online behavior is better explained and understood by similarities in intent rather than demographic differences between them. This has profound implications for professionals embarking on PR, advertising and marketing campaigns.”

Daily Internet Activities, 2000-2009

Daily Internet Activities, 2000-2009 | Pew Internet & American Life Project

Anatomy of An Ideal Planner

via The Royal Society of Account Planning

Inspired Genius Ted Talk

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Most Contagious 2008

Contagious Magazine's roundup of the most contagious stuff of 2008.