John Fanning on why ads can help relate the story of a nation’s psyche The centre is collapsing all over the world, from Trump and Brexit to fascists in the European Parliament. Increasingly, anti-democratic politicians and even more extreme demagogues and autocrats are appearing ‘like frogs after rain’ in countries from Hungary to Brazil and […]
Articles Archive
Roberts says education must be addressed
Steven Roberts on why the industry needs a plan to tackle continuing professional development It is an interesting time for marketing. In recent days, we have seen calls for the sector to professionalise and enhance its commitment to continued education. Indeed, a robust exchange between Core boss Alan Cox and UCD […]
Fiona Dawson named Ultimate Marketer
Fiona Dawson, global president of Mars food, drinks and multisales and a member of the Mars worldwide leadership team, is Ireland’s Ultimate Marketer. With its HQ in Virginia, near Washington DC, the family-owned business produces some of the world’s best-known confectionery, grocery and pet food brands. Mars has over $35 billion in annual sales. Dawson […]
John Fanning on account planning’s 50th
John Fanning recounts the history of agency account planning as it celebrates its golden jubilee Account planning first started in Britain in 1968, a year of seismic social and political change. From small beginnings in two London agencies it spread worldwide. Although the marketing communications business has seen many new job titles – especially since […]
Where now for adland?
David Hayes writes about a recent study he did on adland and asks, is the business at the crossroads or crosshairs? WPP merged GroupM’s Maxus and MEC last year to form Wavemaker. It was different. Not only did the new agency not have media in its title, it also did not start with the letter […]
Škoda’s wheel impact
Ray Leddy, pictured, tells Michael Cullen how the Czech-made car is doing the business It has been said that everything in life is somewhere else and you get there in a car. Škoda’s TV ads are slick. Not because they ditch the brand’s worldwide slogan, ‘Simply Clever’, but because they use the line ‘Made for […]
Young at heart
Mathew Cullen reports from a youth marketing seminar about not missing out Young people are more clued in than older people often give them credit for and they can tell if brands are doing things solely for marketing reasons which makes them look less authentic, Thinkhouse boss Jane McDaid told a seminar entitled ‘Don’t Miss […]
Agencies slaves no more
Catrióna Campbell on why account handling needs a rethink We get paid for brave, boundless thinking, for ideas that make our clients’ products and services meaningful. The calibre of our thinking correlates to the calibre of our people. And yet, repeatedly we read another report in Marketing.ie about the talent shortage in adland, as talent […]
Fanning on Frenemies: threats to adland
John Fanning casts a critical eye over Ken Auletta’s new book, Frenemies, which zooms in on the troubles in adland The turmoil affecting adland shows no sign of abating as the many books bearing apocalyptic titles continues. Madison Avenue Manslaughter (2016) concentrated on the dangerous reduction in margins now facing adland and The Day […]
Women must press on
Su Duff on why diversity needs a rejig if women are to take the baton If inclusion and diversity were two people, how would they be feeling? They have had a lot of attention recently; centre-stage to communicate lifetimes of individual’s frustrations. Lives impacted by something as random as gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social […]
Milking it
Larry Ryan on a NDC study on dairy products and the attitudes of millennials Research undertaken for the National Dairy Council (NDC) illustrates the issues confronting food producers and particularly among millennials. A two-year study looked at Irish attitudes to milk and dairy products, but particularly focused in on the underlying drivers of change in […]
Able artist – AMV’s Rosie Arnold
AMV BBDO’S head of art Rosie Arnold talks to Michael Cullen about creating great ads, work that stereotypes and fencing Rosie Arnold started at AMV BBDO two years ago after 33 years at Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH). She graduated from Central St Martins with a BA (Honours) in graphic design while moonlighting for the new […]
Press into action
Chris Cashen on why rumours of print’s demise are grossly exaggerated Entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn says we are the average of the five people with which we spend the most time. In turn, we judge brands like people, by the company they keep. Brands become an average of their exposures. When advertising shows […]
