I Have An Idea

Critique - Follow Up
April 08|2003

Putting things in Perspective.

I'd like to clear things up regarding my comments I've made. As a young creative, I have a lot to learn! Since this has been a free-for-all site, I was being honest like I have been from day one. I didn't want to shoot down the INDUSTRY, and I didn't intend to shoot down the the AGENCY that put those ads out. I have a lot of respect for Cossette and their work!!!! I have made specific comments towards 2 campaigns that got my attention. And I expressed my thought.

And going back to my past entry "Best of the Best". There is lots of great work out there that I liked more than others: my favourite campaign would have to be from Rethink for their BCAA Insurance. Those billboards were hilarious. It was an awesome approach. Runner-up; Palmer Jarvis West for their KVOS TV... Springer, Elimidate, and Cheers; very funny. And PJ Toronto for their Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corp., It was a clever execution with the scratch and win method. I have never seen that done before. Taxi did a great job with MINI; their out-of-home material was always in your face and simple. I guess, all global campaigns did quite well with the little buggy. Power-Brand!

Are we always in agreement in our diverse industry??? I'm sure, some of you won't agree with my personal favourites. But, that's just my opinion. There are ads out there that make a stronger connection with me than others.

To conclude; in the spirit of the forum, I'm glad we're open for discussion. This project has given us, the freedom to express ourselves. This is all part of a learning experience.

alek, being me.

"Thanks a lot Alek. There should be some more coming soon. Can't wait to see what you guys think."
Posted by Justin on April 09/2003

"Justin.
You're a courageous soul! You're the first one to step up and expose your book here. Let's check out the work of the writer that always had positive energy."
Posted by alek on April 08/2003

"Hey Alek,

You know that I've been behind you from the beginning. You have my unconditional support. That doesn't necessarily mean that I agree with everything that you do. But please don't see what I'm about to say as being an attack.
There are a lot of people on here who seem to like to sight the exception as an excuse. I've heard a lot of "a good book doesn't mean you'll get a job" or "just because it won an award doesn't make it effective". Those are exceptions. There are plenty of people with great personalities and drive but just don't have the portfolio to win them a job. It has to be a combination of drive, personality and a great book. Although there are a lot of effective ads out there that don't win awards. But I feel those are the safe ads we see all the time. There are a few ads that win awards and aren't effective too. The big example that comes off the top of my head are the Fruit of the Loom clotheline ads. Elspeth and Lorraine "left" their agency because those ads didn't make one iota of difference in client sales. But what did they end up doing? Starting ZiG and becoming agency of the year. So I guess in the end I'm saying: Alek, you're only shooting yourself in the foot when you make excuses. Just listen and consider what other people are saying (if there are a lot of people saying the same thing) and try to incorporate that into your work and your way of thinking.

And because I think turn about is fairplay... some of my work is now posted in the showcase section. I'd love to get your input.

You've got a lot of drive and the kind of personality to do really well (from my standpoint). Just steer you energy towards your work a bit instead of defending yourself to people who you won't remember when all of this is done.

Take care, and in the end you're doing a good job. Keep it up."
Posted by Justin on April 08/2003

"Alek,
No, people are not always in agreement of what is good and what is not but that's not the point. People do indeed critisize work and even people on here but they have the luxury of anomynity, you do not. Do you get what I'm saying? Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is a skill you're going to have to pick up and fast. As is you are offending people that you want jobs from. You don't like the ads that Cossette did? Well they had to get approved by someone to get produced and guess who you're going to have to talk to to get a job there.

Someone said this on another thread but it's worth repeating–stop giving advice and atart listening to it. You're not there yet and if you don't listen you're not going to get there.

Sorry to be so harsh."
Posted by Jiggy on April 08/2003