"No problem Alek.

I think it's ballsy to have such a high profile - but it's really not going to help you unless you're known for the right reasons.

Like the great creative that sinks lame products/services - if your stunts or this site bring attention to a stellar book thats great! But if you're just known as "the dude everyone knows of, but won't hire" - you've dug yourself a hole that may be hard to get out of.

Me, I chose to remain annonymous. I like my work to speak for itself. I know for sure that if I was in your shoes (and indeed, I once was) I would be less public with my opinions. It's such a tiny industry, and before I comit something to print, I'd be sure I'd be able to live with it for all eternity.

Unlike our ads - reputations are hard to change.

Sandy"
Posted by Sandy on April 08/2003

"Congrats!!!!!! I truly mean it. Today, I noticed your name in the credits. Should have known better. When I read your postings, I could feel your words just screaming at me. I learned my lesson, believe me.

If you don't mind me asking, how many awards have you won before? I guess, I shoudn't be expecting you to answer. I'll understand."
Posted by alek pays respect! on April 08/2003

"I have to say, I feel the love. Perhaps I broke through. Maybe my rant was as effective as my award-winning ads. Ouch! (couldn't resist!)

Much love, Sandy"
Posted by Sandy on April 08/2003

"As for your critique of the McD's stuff. What you seem to be missing is the INSIGHT that this campaign tapped into. It's obviously aimed at those who have ate at the golden arches at some time in their lives and actually enjoyed it.

It's a simple visual reminder of the craving one might have of a juicy Big Mac or hot salty fries.

The art direction plays on the shapes of those foods BECAUSE THESE SHAPES HAVE BEEN BRANDED INTO OUR CONSCIOUSNESS by McD's experiences.

Haven't you ever just seen the shape of a coke bottle and at one time or another craved it?

Ads like these are not the reason McD's is hurting now anyways, it's probably largely due to the health kick consumers seem to be on."
Posted by Pedro on April 08/2003

"Alek, you could learn a lot in the posts from Toasted Oats and Sandy.

If you really want to work at any of the top CREATIVE shops, then you have to do hot shit uncensored creative work. You have to show your CD that you constantly have TONS of GREAT ideas. Even insane ideas, as long as you are on strategy. The worse thing you can do is think like the client, your CD doesn't want to see that.

There's always room in retail."
Posted by Pedro on April 08/2003

"as a person that is in the "industry", all i can say is - bless you Sandy."
Posted by marc on April 08/2003

"WOW! I just read the comments that Sandy posted and all I can say is DAMN! This chick knows exactly what she is talking about... Case in point, look at what happened to Ammirati... great creative reputation but still went under, however, look at all the clients that followed the Ammirati people to new agencies. That has everything to do with the award winning creative and service that was provided by that shop. Alek, I think that above all, Sandy (with her experience in the business) is trying to teach you some humility. As a person currently in the business at a major agency, trust me when I say that knowing when to be humble and quiet is just as important as knowing when to be outspoken and voice your opinion...

"Better to stay quiet and look foolish, than to open your mouth and dispell all doubt" Mark Twain"
Posted by Junior on April 08/2003

"Serious question, Alek:
Given the opinions you've expressed on this page, why haven't you made plays for shops like Padulo whose outlook on advertising is more in line with your own?

It seems, with the exception of Sharpe Blackmore, that you've only targeted shops known for producing the type of advertising you find offensive."
Posted by crano on April 08/2003

"I would love the chance to respond:

"we are in a "commercial
business"....

Yes, and the sooner you realize how true that is, the better off you'll be. your job as a creative is to make your boss look good. how? win awards.

"With your attitude, your client will see right through you. And that's the only piece you'll end up with in your book."

Sorry, have to disagree there Alek. With 6 years in the biz, not a single client has ever had a problem with me putting award-wining work infront of them. Good clients, and trust me, they're far and few between, actually understand that cretives live and die by award-winning work. Alek, at this stage, even the dredded client understands creative better than you do. Please, take advice instead of dishing so much out. And my book - gets me calls from headhunters and CDs every month. I'm not too worried.

"Everyone loves awards, we're all hungry for that!"

Could have fooled me. Last I read, you were requesting research. Clearly you've never been to research sessions. Research is the only business that makes money by telling you what DOSEN'T work. It kills creative. (guess what, you pay for 2nd and 3rd rounds of testing) And things that test well often don't perform will in market. Am I speaking your language as yet?

"But we have to create IMPACT in the market."

Dude, you sound like you're ready to write the worst junior AE brief I've ever read. Puh-lease! If you're going to write something, at least SAY something. Even a jr. AD should be able to swing that.

"Here's a scenario, let say you've created an amazing campaign. But the client goes under. Regardless of what went wrong, that reflects back at you and your work."

So not true. This ficticious, amazing campaign was likely the cause of the cleint's demise. Good creative will kill bad products/services FASTER than bad ad or no advertising. I think that should be about Chapter 3 in your school readings. Don't worry, you'll get to it next term.

What causes a client to "go under" is rarely pin-pointable. People in the business know this, and it's not like fingers are being pointed at creatives each time someone goes under.

"And the future clients won't forget that."

Hey, if your client remembers your work, you're already half way to winning a pitch. Don't worry, you won't be on a pitch for like 3 years. Hell, you won't have to worry about clients for years. YOU have to worry about creative directors. THEY are your client. You should make THEM happy. If YOUR attitude/BS shines through as much in person as it does on this site, I doubt you'll even see a client presentation for years.

"The award won't save you unless you move out of the country."

Wrong again. Awards always save you. Awards are what give you a CHANCE to work outside the country. Hell, they're what will get you your next job, no matter where.

"Something to think about."

I agree dear Alek. Something to think about indeed."
Posted by Sandy on April 07/2003

"Hey Sandy,
we are in a "commercial business". With your attitude, your client will see right through you. And that's the only piece you'll end up with in your book.

Everyone loves awards, we're all hungry for that! But we have to create IMPACT in the market. Here's a scenario, let say you've created an amazing campaign. But the client goes under. Regardless of what went wrong, that reflects back at you and your work. And the future clients won't forget that. The award won't save you unless you move out of the country. Something to think about."
Posted by alek on April 07/2003

"ok alek - as i read

"I actually wonder... did McD's gain from this campaign or count their losses, because that's what it all comes down to - money. Was this solution effective? It's been recognized in the ad industry, but how about the market. Where's the research dept. when we need it."

i could taste the vomit pulsating from the back of my thraot.

dude, it's all about awards. did that shit move fries? who the hell cares, the creatives who did it will have a hell of a better chance getting their next job because they're in the books, not because McDirty's stock went up.

It's about good work buddy. 75% of the time good work sells product - because good work isn't wallpaper. the other 25% of the time, don't even bother to give a shit about it! hey, you've got good work. better than having bad work that dosen't sell anything - which is most of the shite advertising out there today.

seriously dude, you need to be a little more strategic - your face and name is plastered all over the place - and don't fool yourself - flaunting your ignorant opinion shalln't help you get a job in the long run. think about it."
Posted by Sandy on April 07/2003

"Dear Mr.Toasted Oats

Excuse me while I swallow a mouthful of my thick saliva after reading your comment. That was interesting.
I think this is the most entertaining and longest posting besides my very own!
I hope you're not saying your final farewell here.

Where do I begin... Great taste of McDonalds food, I didn't know they were known for that. I think this concept was clever, but not appealing. I actually wonder... did McD's gain from this campaign or count their losses, because that's what it all comes down to - money. Was this solution effective? It's been recognized in the ad industry, but how about the market. Where's the research dept. when we need it.

About the Power Aid; being an ex-avid athlete, the undying thirst didn't set me off to drink out of a fountain full of birdy poop. Seeing that ad 10 years ago wouldn't have made a difference. I guess I didn't have the rebel in me. What happened to water-bottles in the b-ball game.

Good old stock photography, well sometimes that's all we can use. If I can shoot the photos myself, I certainly won't stop myself! The roses, mountain, olay ad were shot by me with a little help from photoshop (I have received compliments in the past about these executions).

Lastly, I appreciate smart advertising. And yes, there comes a time when you think of something clever, and the next day it's in your face. That's a nightmare for any Art Director and Writer. But that kind of thing just pushes us further! And there are situations, when you come up with a killer-ad campaign before someone else actually launches it.

Who said Advertising isn't challenging! Our minds are constantly ticking.

Thank you "Toasted Oats" and everyone else who's been tuned in. Now let's get back to work!"
Posted by alek on April 07/2003

"Dear Toasted Oats...
Amen Brother!
Alek....What better way to get in to the business than to trash great work from people that you are trying to impress. The working creative's chatroom loved this one."
Posted by AD on April 07/2003

"alek i have to disagree with you to the nth degree.

the mcdonalds campaign is brilliant. have you ever looked at something and said "wow, that looks just like..."?

i have. a day rarely passes where that coincidence doesn't occur.

from a distant, the 2x4's do look like fries, and making that association would strike a craving, as your palate follows - remembering the great taste - your visual recognition.

and besides, it's beautifully art directed.

as for the power aid - sure they're far fetched - but have you ever been at your utmost aridity and felt there's no boundary you'd overstep to quench your undying thirst?

as an avid athlete, i have. it beats swallowing a mouthful of caustic saliva, as thick and unruly as glue paste. kinda makes drinking from a sprinkler seem a tad attractive. hell, at that point, i'd wait in line for a drink from a sprinkler, or a dirty fountain, because if you've ever been in that situation, you'd know your needs supercede your pride.

not to mention the dizzy, heavy breathing, and sweating factors.

but i digress.

all in all alek, i am a keen supporter of your ongoing effort, and i offer my penmanship or art direction where applicable.

however, you should forgo your bitter critique of award winning advertisements until you yourself know the difference between awards winning ads and generic, run of the mill, seen it all before, stock shot driven material.

your portfolio is full of it.

those ads you've blasted are different. and isn't that what your stunts are all about, being different.

you've started to become what you hate. an annoymous antagonist cross by the fact that you didn't think of it first.

besides, you're not the target for every ad out there."
Posted by toasted oats on April 07/2003

"corina is just saying that drinking scum water shows you're REALLY thirsty. the ad is not about poweraid being better than scum water."
Posted by g on April 07/2003

"Yeah....but isn't ANYTHING better then scum water?"
Posted by Odif on April 07/2003

"LOL. No its not a good alternative to scum water, they are just saying if someone drank scum water, they must have been REALLY thirsty, this they need a good thirst quencher..."
Posted by corina on April 07/2003

"So Power-Aid is a good alternative to skum water?
I know this isnt their intent, but I do think this compaign strays from any kind of selling point. I dont like it."
Posted by Odif on April 07/2003

"I like the power-aid ones. However far fetched they are (which they are, because who would really drink out of that mop bucket), but its the point that when you when you get thirsty beyond comprehension...you need the ultimiate thirst quencher...PowerAid."
Posted by Corina on April 07/2003