I spotted Anatomy of Design in a bookstore a few years ago and it looked cool, but I couldn¹t pull the trigger. Recently, I bought it and it has become the most popular book in my office. In fact, it’s missing right now and I haven”t been able to really read it yet. But from the few times I’ve skimmed through it, I really like it. It’s a great resource for creative inspiration.
- Tommy Troncoso

Just a quick thought today. Wondering what everyone thinks about the current state of the industry and where we are headed. What will this industry look like in 5 years? How about 10? Will it even be recognizable?
So much has changed in the last 10 years it’s hard to imagine where the next 10 will take us.
- TJ Bennett

It’s a little hypocritical that I’m writing about this since I usually lose a couple weeks vacation every year. If you haven’t seen this, you should definitely check it out. Stefan Sagmeister talks about the importance of taking a long vacation. It’s not a totally new thought, but he’s so cool you can’t stop watching it. Oh yeah, the other cool thing is that I worked with the Happy Guru.

- Tommy Troncoso

What I am about to write is probably advertising heresy, so here goes nothing.
First, let me say that I think Crispin is a very good agency. They do very good work, occasionally great. They employ many hard-working, talented people. And in a lot of ways, they set the standard for what every agency should aspire to be. In short: they get it.
However, I do not believe the work they did for VW furthered that brand in any way. In fact, I actually think some of their stuff hurt the brand—and …

You know who you are.
You’re the guy who walks around the office, taking note of creatives who don’t appear to be slaving away. As you stroll by, you offer up witty comments like ‘Hey, if you need something to do, I’m sure I can find something for ya.’
Yeah, you’re that guy.
The idea machine must not rest. Step one: receive brief. Step two: set up camp in front of computer and churn out strategically sound creative. Step three: present said creative. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
News flash. That’s not how it works. How …

There’s an interesting trend happening in the London marketing scene at the moment. The conversation is mostly around what agencies will look like over the coming years – the shape of new start-ups, operating models etc. Speaking to friends of mine in the London market, it’s one corner of world advertising that’s been hit harder than most and is consequently very focused on what comes next. (The quality of talent that can’t even get in the door of a London agency, let alone get a job, is quite staggering and …

I never understood the idea of making research groups to test ads.
Ok, it’s part of our jobs and I respect that. But isn’t it strange?
I was wondering how this idea came out.
Maybe somebody just raised his hand in a meeting room and said:
“I know how to choose the next campaign. First, we put some strangers in a room with a window mirror, just like in the police interrogatories. Then, we show them some poor animated cartoons with the ideas. Next, we make this people talk about something they don’t understand: …

how can an agency go from this

to this

in less than two years?
Sad.
(watch the embeded videos to see the decline)
- Lee Margolis

What can you really learn from an agency site?
Of course, the agency hopes you learn a whole lot about their breakthrough philosophy, integrated processes, brilliant strategic insights and award-winning work. They also hope that you will then do one of two things: a.) Give them your business, or b.) Send your book.
But here’s the problem, they’re all practically identical. They start with a corny animated opening sequence. Followed by the following universal navigation: Who we are. What we believe. What we do. Our clients. Where to find us. (Seriously, check …