From Mad Men to Math Men.

“Strategy was first used in Athens (508 BC) to describe the art of leadership used by the ten generals on the war council. Some argue for the more creative, human side, while others argue for the more analytic side of strategy.”
― Max McKeown, The Strategy Book

The word optimization has become a dominant term in today’s world of advertising. Advertising is not just about creativity anymore. Modern marketers have to utilize both their creative and analytical skills to survive. With the wide range of measurement tools that are out there to analyze just about any aspect of digital marketing, one cannot afford to shoot in the dark. I recently came across an interesting info graphic that has been done by salesforce.com and I believe it gives a great summary of what one needs to survive in marketing today:

The new marketer

I also found a great video that was quite eye opening about the evolution of marketing from analogue through to recent digital techniques.

I do wonder what the next step in the marketing revolution would be…
—x—

Sources:

Infographic: Salesperson.com

Video: MediativeVideo

The Five Stages of Grief: Designer Edition

“Creativity takes courage. ”
― Henri Matisse

Being in digital advertising, I am always at loggerheads with my design team. The thing is, I represent the client within the agency and most of the time they tend to kill the messenger. Clients rarely agree with the initial design and telling the designer this is one of the hardest parts of my job. You see, designers are artists, they have a vision, they have a passion for what they have done. So it must be very hard when client comes along and tweaks it so much that they destroy it.

So when I saw this comic from Mashable, I felt it captured what happens in their heads at such a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you agree? I concur totally 🙂

—X—

Photo Credit: Mashable.com

Ogilvy on Writing.

David Ogilvy: The original madman.

 

 

 

      “You can make anything by writing.”
        ― C.S. Lewis

 

 

 

I came across an interesting article the other day. I have been struggling as a blogger, with my OCD issues. I have wanted nothing but the best to be in my blogs. Then I came across these ten gems that David Ogilvy wrote to his staff in the eighties. I believe its relevant to all writers, bloggers and anyone there that ever has to write an update, email or snail mail. Refreshing. Enriching. Inspiring.

Have a look:On September 7th, 1982, Ogilvy sent the following internal memo to all agency employees, titled “How to Write”The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well. Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches. Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:

1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.

   2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.

   3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.

   4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.

   5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.

   6. Check your quotations.

   7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning — and then edit it.

   8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.

   9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.

   10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.

   David

   Enough said. Challenge accepted.

   —–x——