I Have An Idea

Mind Drift
March 28|2003

Hi everyone! Sorry I couldn't post anything earlier. As you already know, I was suppose to meet up with James Spence from TBWA/. Well I did... I arrived at the building at 10:10am (I always arrive early just to relax and adjust to the environment). Mr.Spence came down to see me at 10:35. Brought me up into this little room, overseeing an amazing view of the city. We ended up sitting on beach chairs, kinda different. Anyway, he started talking about branding and where TBWA stands in the global market. Also,TBWA is on a mission to change their image and attitude towards advertising.
He showed me a reel he put together for their last night's party; some of their most recent work, and Lee Clow's insight on power of branding.

Before he even opened my book, he discussed how important it is to "identify your strategy, first. Ideas will follow. Don't do something that just looks cool, or just for the sake of doing it. He wants ideas on paper! Anything! He doesn't care about your photoshop or your design sense. He wants to see POWERFUL concepts. Executions can wait (That's what graphic designers are for). The design won't speak the message, unless the message seeks for it.

Getting into the book... I kept my mouth shut, unless he asked me a question, I gave him straight answers. He liked my way of thinking. But he also spotted some weak pieces. I was ready for that. I mean, that's why I wanted to see him. So that he could shine some new direction on my idea-generating. He told me to keep in tough.
And I will definitely do so!

alek, inspired.

"Ben I would put a lot of stake in what other people say about Mr. Spence. He is full of shit. The good shit! The good shit that’s hard to find! The nail that stands up. The diamond in the rough. The glimmer of hope. But believe what you must…Perhaps an inspection into his career would help you with your hearing problem.

I would also venture a guess that your two friends in advertising are descendants of the cart-and-buggy generation that thought Henry Ford was crazy and “full of shit” too. What a nut, eh?"
Posted by Crack Pot on March 29/2003

"Ben, I wouldn't put too much stake in what other people say. I like to make my own judgements. Also, there must be a reason why Spence is the CD of Chiat. What position do these sources hold?"
Posted by Justin on March 28/2003

"Ben,
How many people have said that? Do they know him or is it second hand info?"
Posted by Curious on March 28/2003

"Ben...
you, being part of an open-minded environment, do you have to believe everything you hear?"
Posted by alek on March 28/2003

"I herd from all the people i know in the business that that guy is full of shit.(james spence)"
Posted by ben on March 28/2003

"Hey, Great stuff Alex! You got some good feedback, a chance to talk to a pro and an invitre to keep in touch. Once you've got an ace book, it'll be easy for you to get a foot in the door. Congrats!"
Posted by Raymond Helkio on March 28/2003

"Alek, thats awesome! Good for you! What was he like? A nice guy? Down to earth?

I love the fact that he had you sit on lawn chairs...clever!"
Posted by Corina on March 28/2003

"That was your best post yet."
Posted by Y.T. on March 28/2003