Mo's Wakow!

"Do Nothing

Be Nothing

Say Nothing

And You Will

Avoid Criticism"

Tommy Dewar

Change Is Possible

What's that bit about bringing in change? There's resistance to begin with and then a cave in? Ok. Maybe not a 'cave in'. But a gradual acceptance, surely, when there’s good business sense in doing things differently.

Everyone in creative tries to bring in subtle changes… breaching set boarders… to go with the spirit of the communication. But it always boils down to “Not that font, please.” Or “Make that bigger please.” Or “But we don’t ever do it that way.”

Nevertheless our persistence has paid off a few times, actually, more times than we’ve expected. Like with Chella’s work today. That’s him receiving the sword for design from Rags.

More Chella! More!

He's Back!

Welcome back Rags! We've missed you. We hope your knee heals real fast and you get back to kicking butt.

Cat And Mouse Games: Manager-Designer Polarities

Why are Managers (Client Servicing / Accounts Executives what ever you know them as) and Creative (the Copywriters and Visualisers or Designers) two tribes at war?

We can’t get into the whole story here. But there’s this interesting bit by David Walker of the Open University, UK that bangs the nail on the head. He calls it manager-designer polarities. That's the chart you see above.

Bang! There you are!

Ugh… remember that Genie joke on advertising. Nothing wrong with enjoying it again at this particular moment.

An ad team is working very late at night on a project due the next morning. Suddenly, a Genie appears before them and offers to grant them all one wish.

The Copywriter says: "I've always dreamed of writing the great American novel and having my work studied in schools across the land. I'd like to go to a tropical island where I can concentrate and write my masterpiece."

The Genie says "No problem!" and poof! The Copywriter is gone.

The Art Director says: "I want to create a painting so beautiful that it would hang in the Louvre Museum in Paris for all the world to admire. I want to go to the French countryside to work on my painting."

The Genie says: "Your wish is granted!” and poof! The Art Director is gone.

The Genie then turns to the Account Executive and says "And what is your wish?" The AE says, "I want those two assholes back here right now."

Paper Cup Bee

Arshad’s made a bee. A paper cup bee.

A while ago, everyone was given out little white paper cups to make what they wish of it. Along came Imran, our office assistant who did a thorough morning clean up and took away all the cups or what remained of it. The sporty ones had by then taken ‘make what you wish of it’ a rather long stretch and used these paper cups to pour sauce into, for their late evening snack. Saucy really! : )

But Arshad’s come in late with his bee. And it deserves a mention here. What do you think of it? (The bee… the bee… what do you think of the bee?)

My Dream Is To Become A Film Director

In the first week of January a set of questionnaires were circulated among creative. Last week the answers came in from four. Can’t claim enthusiastic participation when it comes to numbers. But the one’s who participated, did so enthusiastically.

Bravo!

Ramkee our Senior Business Manager voted Yuvaraj the best participant. “Serious about his business” commented the judge. Thank you very much Ramkee.

On to the questions:

When you were a child, what did you dream of becoming?
To be frank - nothing.

When you joined work, what did you dream of achieving?
When I joined my first job I didn’t know how to use the software’s. I learnt it all myself. Now I want to design a portfolio for me, which I have not been able to do till now... My dream is to become a film director.

Who has more potential of becoming a good actor - Dhanush or Simbu? Why so?
Both have the potential of becoming a good actor but Simbu is a bit daring and he has the fire to become an actor. He has already directed a film in a short time and at a very early stage in his career. He is smarter than Dhanush...

When you joined Rage, what did you dream of achieving?
My dream is to make our client to ask “who’s that new designer at your agency… the recent creatives are different”.

What is your idea of 'contributing to the company'?
Once I enter office I don’t want to waste the time. I want to finish my work early and try to leave early. I don’t hang over at office and waste resources, whatever it may be...

Do you think George W. Bush is funny or phony? (Err... tone down, but of course you can be frank.)
I don’t think he is funny. If you ask me he is a very serious man.

What are the areas Rage can improve in?
Our playroom is half dumped with the scrap. Remove that waste and put some chairs for the smoking people to relax themselves there.

What contribution can you make in this improvement you have suggested?
Sorry this is not for me, it’s for people who smoke. Ask them.

What changes would you wish for in the work atmosphere?
Instead of shouting from our seats we can have an internal chat to share messages.

How has the Monday Morning Meeting helped you?
Basically I am bored coming to office on Mondays. So this meeting helps me to change that mood in 30 minutes and then I can start work.

Let’s wish him all the best with his dream of becoming a film director.

That's Ramkee in the judging process, below.

"You Mean I Won!"

The juniors are picking up fast. Arshad took the design sword this time round for some interesting flash work. That was good Arshad. Now keep the pace going. Can't say the same thing for copy though. There's haven't been submissions for quite a while and the sword's been gathering dust. Maybe even ticks and mites. Imagine saying, "keep the pace going" to that!

Moving Up The ‘Creative’ Food Chain

This is What They Don’t Teach You At Advertising School.

But before we begin brace yourself for the million-dollar question: How does a creative guy move up the agency food chain? Let’s ask Rajan Nair, a creative consultant and a visiting faculty at MICA, the man behind the Raymond's The Complete Man and The Economic Times Power of Knowledge campaigns.

Here are 7 Habits of Upwardly Mobile Creative Guys and Gals that should become second nature to you.

ONE
Habit #1 of successful creative people is this: They chart the course of their career themselves. They don't complain, moan and groan. They take concrete steps to better their lot.

TWO
If you're really passionate about your job and your career, then you will go out of your way to know everything there is to know about it. That means you read, you watch, you study, you discuss, you debate, you swap ideas, you keep copious notes. You eat, drink and sleep ads.

THREE
In this business, if you don't make friends, you'll be just another rivet in the machinery. So, go out and meet other copywriters, art directors, film guys, media planners… people from other agencies. "If you can't advertise yourself, how do you expect a client to trust you with their advertising?" Join the Ad Club and attend all the tea parties and continuing education programmes on scripting, direct mail, ad review sessions, whatever. See. Be seen. Hear and be heard.

FOUR
Don't reject (your) rejected work. Today's rejected work is, oftentimes, tomorrow's Campaign of the Year. I've seen it happen many times. An idea is an idea. And with some tweaks, it could work in another time, another place, for another product. Best of all, some of your rejected work may show your true creative potential and a creative director with a good eye could spot it.

FIVE
Build a good portfolio. If you're still banking on the articles you wrote while you were in your final year, to see you through, you're in for some disappointment. Creative directors today are looking for 'ideators', not just copywriters and visualisers. They are actively seeking people who are in tune with the times. Your portfolio should reflect today's scenario, today's marketing problems/solutions. (So) ask an account management friend to give you a solid brief. Then rework the ads the way you think they ought to be done. Your portfolio must have a few good film and radio ideas, too. Make your portfolio interesting: Put in things that show your passions and interests—photos, poems, lyrics, haikus, articles, wrestling memorabilia, whatever.

SIX
Make a habit of entering for awards. What have you to lose? The entry fees, right? And that's probably less than what you spend on beers, hoping for inspiration. Ask your contacts in NGOs if you can do creative work for their cause—FREE. Don't worry about not getting the credits upfront. If your work is good, the word will spread, and people will know.

SEVEN
Don't worry about the money right now. I know, I know, your friends in call centers and BPOs are already earning twice as much. And worse, your Dad might still have the last laugh for not joining his business. But don't go down. Remember, this is a brand-building business. And the brand you're building right now is yourself.

And once you do, the rewards will be more than you ever wished for.

(This article appeared in agencyfaqs.com and is being excerpted here with permission from the author.)

Ivan's Respect Too...

The Rage Blog gets a mention on Ads of the World. Umm. That makes us happy. Two mentions in a week. Not bad going would you say?

The ‘Eureka’ Principle

James Webb Young, a copywriter from the 40’s laid out a five-step process for idea generation that’s just as good today.

1. You gather as much information on the problem as you can. You read, you underline stuff, you ask questions, you visit the factory.
2. You sit down and actively attack the problem.
3. You drop the whole thing and go do something else while your subconscious mind works on the problem.
4. “Eureka!”
5. You figure out how to implement your idea.

There you are - the ‘Eureka’ principle! And you thought it involved nudity. My!

Print Ahoy!

The second sword this year has gone for a print design. Sampath came up with this matchbox design for a CD cover and CD sticker that outshone all our bread and butter online designs. But then there weren't many submissions this time round (as well). We're still holidaying, are we?

Swati came up with good copy and ideation last week but she failed to submit her work or the Copy Sword would have gone to her. Swati, you need to submit to win. Next week you will, won't you?

Wallpaper

Click to enlarge and download.

Almost Famous!

Ok. Ok. We won't hit the ceiling. Not yet. There's far to go. But we've been mentioned in what is arguably the best agency blog from India and one among the top ten agency blogs worldwide TWENTY FOUR. See for yourself! Now isn’t that being almost famous? All of us?

No. No. Don’t ask for what. But isn’t it…?

She's A Model And She's Looking Good...

That's Chella's take on the Paper Cup Santa photograph of Aruna below.

This Yuvaraj Can Swing Too!

Here's a down-to-earth designer who knows where he stands. Yuvaraj takes the sword for design - the first sword for 2007. Way to go Yuvaraj! I guess we're all still in the festive mood, what with Pongal arriving this weekend. But we'll get back into swing immediately after, won't we?

PS: That's Chella's 'Pongal Mo' you see in the profile snap shot.

Paper Cup Santa

TEASE VI was a no show. Little white paper cups were given out to everyone to do with as they pleased. There were only two entries. And Aruna won hands down. Presenting the Paper Cup Santa.

Welcoming 2007

The whole office, all eighty of us were at Kart Attack for the New Year bash. Lots of go carting. Lots of fun.

Champion of Champions: Sampath came up from behind to win the championship. During the first round he was a steady, even-paced second. In the second round he picked up pace. By the time of the finals, he had already mapped the terrain in his mind and did some quick moves, round corners to corner the championship. What was the gift Sampath?

Queen of Queens: The Paper Girl, Ramya. Miss Rage 2007! That's a fine dress of newsprint. And so well draped too, perfect for that sashay down the ramp. No wonder she swept the crown. (Ugh... where's the crown? Musta fallen off.) Don't miss the hair do, though. Rather Japanese don't you think?

Springy: Those are rubber bands strung on Arshad's hair. The organisers thought he had nice springy hair, perfect to house a dozen or so rubber bands. They weren’t far wrong. Look at that! It seems to suit him fine. Arshad, perhaps you'd consider wearing this hair do sometime. That looks quite groovy.