Hang out with Kenyan creatives who have been in the industry for a while and you will notice that there is a silent war when it comes to expatriates working in the industry. Since joining advertising I have always heard sentiments of lets take back what is ours.
Do we need expats? Well I think we do. The reasons are obvious. When you are faced with a situation where there are no formal training facilities which can pass on knowledge on creativity, then we are left with the only best option which is to learn from those with wider experience.
Most expats that I have worked with have the great asset of having admirable skills and experience with big brands or brands similar to those we have been briefed on. They have acted as great creative mentors.
Mentor ship is one thing that I am afraid us "Miros" in the industry are not very good at. We either leave work too early to start our own thing or get caught up in the fast ad life. The only things we are left good at mentoring is how to avoid the mututho laws or how to swallow a joint at a police road block.
Its not so much the skills of expats that we have beef with, but rather their pay. I think we sometimes feel that we should be at the same level of paycheck. Well, I guess indigenous creatives in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia feel the same way when Kenyans go over and "take over their jobs".
So if the vision is that Land Cruiser, then maybe we should start learning from the guys who drive them (By the way have you noticed that South African creatives never seem to survive Kenya?)
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
HAKI YETU! HAKI YETU!
Lets face it, creatives love the finer things in life. Tricked out rides, cool cribs, fast bikes, etc. But anyone knows that these things need fat wallets. Of course we do have the traditional options of save, save, save and all the bank loans that are thrown at us from every direction. But what about the option that we used to have? The SACCO.
For those new to the industry, there once existed an organisation called MATANGAZO, this was the SACCO that lots of us benefited from by getting fast loans at impressively low single figure interest rates. I personally benefited from it and bought my Nissan Sunny B12 aka "silver bullet "via this channel, unfortunately it was stolen right outside my agency and later found nesting baboons in a forest near Kijabe. Anyway, enter Kenyaism and wrangles began within the SACCO. Bad management, embezzlement of funds and poor investments killed it (Well, at least that's the story I got).
An attempt by some financially savvy ad guys to start a new SACCO was met with high resistance from agencies. I am curious as to why our agency top dogs are resistant towards assisting or endorsing their staff to start a co-operative society.
Could it be the old rule of keeping them dependent on the accounts department? Or maybe justifiably, agencies especially those accountable to shareholders do not want their names mentioned in case of mboi-kamiti style political issues within the SACCO?
Here's the good news, its easy to start a co-op, if a few willing individuals make a move. Visit the Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing website and see what you can dig up. Believe it or not they are extremely helpful.
It is rumored that that as an industry we work for pretty good paper. It may be time that we made that paper start working for us.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
For those new to the industry, there once existed an organisation called MATANGAZO, this was the SACCO that lots of us benefited from by getting fast loans at impressively low single figure interest rates. I personally benefited from it and bought my Nissan Sunny B12 aka "silver bullet "via this channel, unfortunately it was stolen right outside my agency and later found nesting baboons in a forest near Kijabe. Anyway, enter Kenyaism and wrangles began within the SACCO. Bad management, embezzlement of funds and poor investments killed it (Well, at least that's the story I got).
An attempt by some financially savvy ad guys to start a new SACCO was met with high resistance from agencies. I am curious as to why our agency top dogs are resistant towards assisting or endorsing their staff to start a co-operative society.
Could it be the old rule of keeping them dependent on the accounts department? Or maybe justifiably, agencies especially those accountable to shareholders do not want their names mentioned in case of mboi-kamiti style political issues within the SACCO?
Here's the good news, its easy to start a co-op, if a few willing individuals make a move. Visit the Ministry of Co-operative Development and Marketing website and see what you can dig up. Believe it or not they are extremely helpful.
It is rumored that that as an industry we work for pretty good paper. It may be time that we made that paper start working for us.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
How to tame a creative
The creative is indeed an interesting breed especially when you step into its territory. Highly possesive and unpredictable the creative carefully guards its den against unwanted intruders, namely the austrolo-suitcus. Cautiously the suit, feeds the creative with a brief which can either be mauled and ripped to shreds or cuddled with affection. This love hate relationship has stood the test of evolution and still remains puzzling to many who have tried to create harmony amongst these breeds. Symbiotic? Yes. They both need each other. So from a creative perspective how does one get to tame a creative.
Here's some advice to suits, which I came across in an Ogilvy publication written in 1978.....yes, wayyyyyyyyyyy back then. Its quite a gem that deserves to be sambazad to every suit alive (the ones that haven't been slayed by creatives).
Creatives can smell your account management skills. These are the talents they respond to at once.
- You know your clients business.
- You are brief. Especially in meetings.
- You have guts.
- You work hard, but you have fun.
- You have a sense of humor.
- You make the account fun for those who are working hard with you.
- You refrain from over intellectualizing.
- You are not a worrywart.
- You sell creative work with verve.
- You distinguish between client desire and consumer interests.
- You react with enthusiasm when you like something.
- You seek creative input on your marketing plan, media mix or promotion idea.
If these signs are visible you can be assured that you will not be eaten alive by most creatives.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
By the way check out this great related link posted by my pal Michael Munyi, http://bit.ly/dEZLUj
Here's some advice to suits, which I came across in an Ogilvy publication written in 1978.....yes, wayyyyyyyyyyy back then. Its quite a gem that deserves to be sambazad to every suit alive (the ones that haven't been slayed by creatives).
Creatives can smell your account management skills. These are the talents they respond to at once.
- You know your clients business.
- You are brief. Especially in meetings.
- You have guts.
- You work hard, but you have fun.
- You have a sense of humor.
- You make the account fun for those who are working hard with you.
- You refrain from over intellectualizing.
- You are not a worrywart.
- You sell creative work with verve.
- You distinguish between client desire and consumer interests.
- You react with enthusiasm when you like something.
- You seek creative input on your marketing plan, media mix or promotion idea.
If these signs are visible you can be assured that you will not be eaten alive by most creatives.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
By the way check out this great related link posted by my pal Michael Munyi, http://bit.ly/dEZLUj
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
What happened to Kenyan creative teams?
So I've been sitting down and looking for an art director to partner with on some jobs then the thought hit me, what happened to creative teams?
When I started out in ad land my creative director and mentor used to emphasise on the importance of working with an art director with whom all successes and failures would be shared. It was almost like a blood brother relationship. We would be assigned to specific accounts together, work on pitches together, get involved in bar brawls together...basically we were inseparable.
Agencies back then would look for teams when hiring because they knew that as a team you would hit the ground running on every brief. Suddenly there was a lull and the whole aspect of teams slowly faded away. Copywriters began pulling solos and when poached or approached by another agency they would keep it to themselves and only share with their art director when pen was put to paper.
Come to think of it, the last creative team that moved as a unit (and that was some time back) was "the divas", Shiru Kanyua and Carol Oyier. Since then, the whole team concept has died in Kenya.
Is it that agencies nowadays find it cheaper to hire one creative and just assign someone in-house to work with? Is it that we are more technologically savvy and can multitask? Well I don't know, or is it the creatives who got too greedy?
In a creative world full of egos I find it essential to team up with someone you can cope with. It makes working or settling down to new pastures easier. It makes ideas flow. It makes work inspired. It ignites and incites passion. It fuels the competitive attitude that generates greatness.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
When I started out in ad land my creative director and mentor used to emphasise on the importance of working with an art director with whom all successes and failures would be shared. It was almost like a blood brother relationship. We would be assigned to specific accounts together, work on pitches together, get involved in bar brawls together...basically we were inseparable.
Agencies back then would look for teams when hiring because they knew that as a team you would hit the ground running on every brief. Suddenly there was a lull and the whole aspect of teams slowly faded away. Copywriters began pulling solos and when poached or approached by another agency they would keep it to themselves and only share with their art director when pen was put to paper.
Come to think of it, the last creative team that moved as a unit (and that was some time back) was "the divas", Shiru Kanyua and Carol Oyier. Since then, the whole team concept has died in Kenya.
Is it that agencies nowadays find it cheaper to hire one creative and just assign someone in-house to work with? Is it that we are more technologically savvy and can multitask? Well I don't know, or is it the creatives who got too greedy?
In a creative world full of egos I find it essential to team up with someone you can cope with. It makes working or settling down to new pastures easier. It makes ideas flow. It makes work inspired. It ignites and incites passion. It fuels the competitive attitude that generates greatness.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Advertising Isifiwe!
Now, I don't know if its the age factor creeping in or what, but I have noticed that most of my peers seem to have drawn closer to God nowadays and appreciating the influence of a higher power in their lives. This got me thinking and I came to conclude that the church uses strategic branding, advertising and thinking to draw the flock.
The one church that has clearly revolutionised how we look at religion or God is one Mavuno Church. Why? Well, I think the dudes there looked at market needs and saw an opportunity. Excellent branding, consistent personality and sub brands were engaged and now what they have is a rather successful outfit.
As I said before the definition I like most about a brand is "how a consumer feels about a product." Visit Mavuno and you will feel that going to church is cool, easy and not as intimidating as other churches would have. The target market somehow is connected in one way or another so you feel quite at home.
Mavuno did not stop there. They have sub brands like Mizizi: to get rooted into Christianity, Ombi: to get rooted into prayer and a variety of sessions and seminars from parenting to marriage. There is something for every step of growth just like BMW with everything from the sports car for yuppies to the older corporate executive 7 series.
The church experience does not end at the service because after the service you can interact at food courts. Add to this very active blogs, brand reps like Kanji the singer, highly entertaining shows, graffiti on the church exterior, collabos with Citizen TV, etc
Many called this church a fad but its still here and it is still growing from strength to strength. Brands cannot afford to be complacent and have to continue looking into their target markets changing needs. Brands need to use innovation to stand out. Mavuno is not only a church but a successful Kenyan brand.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
The one church that has clearly revolutionised how we look at religion or God is one Mavuno Church. Why? Well, I think the dudes there looked at market needs and saw an opportunity. Excellent branding, consistent personality and sub brands were engaged and now what they have is a rather successful outfit.
As I said before the definition I like most about a brand is "how a consumer feels about a product." Visit Mavuno and you will feel that going to church is cool, easy and not as intimidating as other churches would have. The target market somehow is connected in one way or another so you feel quite at home.
Mavuno did not stop there. They have sub brands like Mizizi: to get rooted into Christianity, Ombi: to get rooted into prayer and a variety of sessions and seminars from parenting to marriage. There is something for every step of growth just like BMW with everything from the sports car for yuppies to the older corporate executive 7 series.
The church experience does not end at the service because after the service you can interact at food courts. Add to this very active blogs, brand reps like Kanji the singer, highly entertaining shows, graffiti on the church exterior, collabos with Citizen TV, etc
Many called this church a fad but its still here and it is still growing from strength to strength. Brands cannot afford to be complacent and have to continue looking into their target markets changing needs. Brands need to use innovation to stand out. Mavuno is not only a church but a successful Kenyan brand.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Confessions of a Kamba advertising man
I have just arrived home from a three day trip to Machakos County. All my "mbois" are well and ad land is thriving there in its own special way. Does advertising exist deep in rural areas? Well, yes it does.
You see they may not have the technical terms we use in the city but the objective is the same. Ye ol sign writer (who I believe is the local art director) sits with the client/copywriter (who is the duka owner) and a brief is delivered, to come up with signage for a shop, bar, local kiosk etc.
I absolutely love the creativity you find in some of the small villages. One notable fact is the word "Ebenezer." There is an ebenezer kiosk, ebenezer butchery, ebenezer m-pesa, ebenezer salon almost everywhere you look. Maybe that attracts the believers and shows that the owners have christian values so you are not bound to be ripped off.
Then, there are some other names either inspired by a swig of kumi-kumi or projecting friendliness through humor. The ones that I give my top five Kamba Advertising Awards are as follows (Mark my word, I have not created these. They exist):
- A matatu called LAPTOP ONE HOUR.
- HAKI YETU general store.
- RATION shop
- SILENT bar
- JAY Z kinyozi and salon
Who said advertising/branding talent only exists in urban areas. Open your eyes, ushago has caught on.
But hey that's just my opinion.
You see they may not have the technical terms we use in the city but the objective is the same. Ye ol sign writer (who I believe is the local art director) sits with the client/copywriter (who is the duka owner) and a brief is delivered, to come up with signage for a shop, bar, local kiosk etc.
I absolutely love the creativity you find in some of the small villages. One notable fact is the word "Ebenezer." There is an ebenezer kiosk, ebenezer butchery, ebenezer m-pesa, ebenezer salon almost everywhere you look. Maybe that attracts the believers and shows that the owners have christian values so you are not bound to be ripped off.
Then, there are some other names either inspired by a swig of kumi-kumi or projecting friendliness through humor. The ones that I give my top five Kamba Advertising Awards are as follows (Mark my word, I have not created these. They exist):
- A matatu called LAPTOP ONE HOUR.
- HAKI YETU general store.
- RATION shop
- SILENT bar
- JAY Z kinyozi and salon
Who said advertising/branding talent only exists in urban areas. Open your eyes, ushago has caught on.
But hey that's just my opinion.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"Jiinue na promo!"
Lets face it, the Kenyan advertising audience is unique and may be different from what we are used to seeing on ads of the world or best ads on TV. Like my friend Mike Munyi rightly said, you will never write award winning ads every day. So why not make the best of some of the briefs that are handed to you, especially promo briefs?
I wonder where the local creative hate for promo briefs came from. I will admit that I find promos quite an exciting challenge. To me, promos present a great opportunity to dig deeper into the creative vault. In a market saturated with promos, I think the creative can really stand out and make a name for himself.
The problem in Kenya is that once the word promo is mentioned, we immediately put ourselves in a box and think star bursts, a guy with smiley face holding cash or a guy waving a mobile phone at you. Well, look at those who have dared to think different. Like the Coca-Cola world cup tvc where a guy auditions for people to share his world cup trip with....Pretty cool idea.
After the success of innovators like Beba Yote and Bambua Tafrija, using local lingo became a hit. Somehow after that everyone took up the method and promo names started being produced like clockwork. Sad thing is that the more and more names that came out the smaller and smaller the ideas became. There is more to a promo than just an exciting swahili name.
A promo can have a huge idea and we need to convince our clients by selling them BIG ideas.Since our clients suffer from the "Marangi" syndrome it would be worth our while to come up with ideas that can up the standards.
Time to make lemonade when clients hand us lemons.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
I wonder where the local creative hate for promo briefs came from. I will admit that I find promos quite an exciting challenge. To me, promos present a great opportunity to dig deeper into the creative vault. In a market saturated with promos, I think the creative can really stand out and make a name for himself.
The problem in Kenya is that once the word promo is mentioned, we immediately put ourselves in a box and think star bursts, a guy with smiley face holding cash or a guy waving a mobile phone at you. Well, look at those who have dared to think different. Like the Coca-Cola world cup tvc where a guy auditions for people to share his world cup trip with....Pretty cool idea.
After the success of innovators like Beba Yote and Bambua Tafrija, using local lingo became a hit. Somehow after that everyone took up the method and promo names started being produced like clockwork. Sad thing is that the more and more names that came out the smaller and smaller the ideas became. There is more to a promo than just an exciting swahili name.
A promo can have a huge idea and we need to convince our clients by selling them BIG ideas.Since our clients suffer from the "Marangi" syndrome it would be worth our while to come up with ideas that can up the standards.
Time to make lemonade when clients hand us lemons.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
APA = Advertising Procrastinators Association
Have a chat with ad agency creatives and you will notice one thing nowadays, a dire lack of passion. I blame this almost entirely on the APA ( Advertising Practitioners Association). Why? Simple, we have not had Advertising Awards in Kenya since ....yawn, yawn, yawn.
The rumor mill points out that members of the APA found it rather difficult to get non scangroup agencies to participate, citing fears from other agencies who claimed that it would be an entirely scangroup affair leading to possible embarrassment if scangroup swooped everything due to its largeness. Now, if these rumors are true it leaves me asking, doesn't the APA have any "cahonas"?
I would think that it would be up to the APA to say that we will always have the awards every two years "penda usipende". Those who suffer from low self esteem can back bench, while others sell themselves to Kenya and the world.
I think we really have to stop pushing local awards away year after year. One year its...there's not enough work to be entered, the next its...the kangaroo ate my flash disk.
Kenya really needs these awards. Bringing international judges of great repute to vet our work will make us want to strive to get better at our crafts and teach a client or two the essence of good work.
Awards will also give young blood something to aim for and get that competitive passion back into their daily working lives.
IF 3/4 of the awards are based on scams, then for Hare Krishna's sake lets compete on scams but let us compete on something.
The awards don't just have to be about getting the bronze ware. I have had the privilege of attending the Cannes Advertising Festival in France (but do I say) and its more than just handing out Lions. The greatest part is the seminars. Dudes from apple telling you about the latest I this or I that, Kanye West's video director telling you how to get the best out of film, Music producers telling you what works and what doesn't,..
Surely, can't the people who advocate thinking out of the box do the same? Make a few phone calls and fly in some ad gurus to inspire us. Organise international creative workshops during awards week as part of a training and development program which may prove to be a stimulating experience for locals...maybe even involve clients. How about giving young creatives projects and award them at the gala night? What about ad man of the year awards etc etc
APA, you really need to get your act together. At the moment the APA looks incapable of organising a drink-up in a brewery. Oh yeah, and for goodness sake do not do it at Safari Park lest we all wake up to art directors and copywriters cut and pasted all over Thika Road.
APA, its time to bring sexy back to advertising.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
The rumor mill points out that members of the APA found it rather difficult to get non scangroup agencies to participate, citing fears from other agencies who claimed that it would be an entirely scangroup affair leading to possible embarrassment if scangroup swooped everything due to its largeness. Now, if these rumors are true it leaves me asking, doesn't the APA have any "cahonas"?
I would think that it would be up to the APA to say that we will always have the awards every two years "penda usipende". Those who suffer from low self esteem can back bench, while others sell themselves to Kenya and the world.
I think we really have to stop pushing local awards away year after year. One year its...there's not enough work to be entered, the next its...the kangaroo ate my flash disk.
Kenya really needs these awards. Bringing international judges of great repute to vet our work will make us want to strive to get better at our crafts and teach a client or two the essence of good work.
Awards will also give young blood something to aim for and get that competitive passion back into their daily working lives.
IF 3/4 of the awards are based on scams, then for Hare Krishna's sake lets compete on scams but let us compete on something.
The awards don't just have to be about getting the bronze ware. I have had the privilege of attending the Cannes Advertising Festival in France (but do I say) and its more than just handing out Lions. The greatest part is the seminars. Dudes from apple telling you about the latest I this or I that, Kanye West's video director telling you how to get the best out of film, Music producers telling you what works and what doesn't,..
Surely, can't the people who advocate thinking out of the box do the same? Make a few phone calls and fly in some ad gurus to inspire us. Organise international creative workshops during awards week as part of a training and development program which may prove to be a stimulating experience for locals...maybe even involve clients. How about giving young creatives projects and award them at the gala night? What about ad man of the year awards etc etc
APA, you really need to get your act together. At the moment the APA looks incapable of organising a drink-up in a brewery. Oh yeah, and for goodness sake do not do it at Safari Park lest we all wake up to art directors and copywriters cut and pasted all over Thika Road.
APA, its time to bring sexy back to advertising.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
Monday, January 17, 2011
got BRIBES?
Check out the dailies and you will see that Lumumba and his "mbois" have been working overtime trying to rid Kenya of corruption. Now, lets be fearless and frank. The Kenyan marketing and advertising industry is filled with rumors on some really shady deals that are pulled everyday. Some of these may be pure speculation, some of these may be true.
Since this is quite the sensitive topic and I do not fancy myself being stabbed with a paper clip, let me just merely share where some of us have made ourselves pretty good bucks under the guise of our daily jobs:
- Agencies giving clients kitu kidogo to win pitches.
- Clients asking research companies for kitu kidogo to assure research contracts.
- Production Managers arm twisting printers so they are assured of printing jobs.
- Agency producers collaborating with production houses and inflating estimates and splitting the gains.
- Creatives and casting agents getting into kitu kidogo partnerships.
- Media executives asking Media Owners for large gifts in order to secure business.
Now, I am sure the list goes on and on and you are welcome to enlighten me on some aspects that I might have missed out on.
So brethren, next time you think that only politicians get good opportunities to eat something, think again. Corruption is indeed a disease and some of us are truly infected.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Since this is quite the sensitive topic and I do not fancy myself being stabbed with a paper clip, let me just merely share where some of us have made ourselves pretty good bucks under the guise of our daily jobs:
- Agencies giving clients kitu kidogo to win pitches.
- Clients asking research companies for kitu kidogo to assure research contracts.
- Production Managers arm twisting printers so they are assured of printing jobs.
- Agency producers collaborating with production houses and inflating estimates and splitting the gains.
- Creatives and casting agents getting into kitu kidogo partnerships.
- Media executives asking Media Owners for large gifts in order to secure business.
Now, I am sure the list goes on and on and you are welcome to enlighten me on some aspects that I might have missed out on.
So brethren, next time you think that only politicians get good opportunities to eat something, think again. Corruption is indeed a disease and some of us are truly infected.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Mommy! They won't give me a big campaign!
Yesterday I was chatting with a good pal of mine who was whining that he only seems to work on small boring jobs and promos. "Teddy man, this is not what I signed up for." I think he expeceted his job to land him some awards or maybe special mentions on ads of the world. Dude, you have just been handcuffed.
I read this in a really nice book on advertising:
"If you take a job at a big agency, you might without your seeing it happen, slip into a pair of GOLDEN HANDCUFFS. That big agency may be willing to pay you lots of cash to crack out dull ads. A couple of years go by and your book fills with bad ads - ads you can't show without shame or explanation."
Some big agencies in Kenya do this extremely well. That's why nowadays you will find almost the whole creative studio is filled with guys with huge titles like; Associate Creative Director, Creative Director - Copy, Creative Group Head, Assistant Senior Copywriter, Head of Mamase Mamasa Mamakosa, etc.
Titles are handed out like they are going out of fashion alongside words of great motivation like,...you are the most talented Kenyan we know, you are going places, you have great potential. You look back and at the end of the day all your talent does for you is Bandua na....Nyorosha na....Hepesha na,....
Well there you have it. So its up to you to make a decision like the old OMO pick a box show "The Money or the Award." Last time I checked, banks give out mortgages to guys with the cash and not the awards....Last time I also checked, agencies give great jobs to guys with great books. Catch 22.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
I read this in a really nice book on advertising:
"If you take a job at a big agency, you might without your seeing it happen, slip into a pair of GOLDEN HANDCUFFS. That big agency may be willing to pay you lots of cash to crack out dull ads. A couple of years go by and your book fills with bad ads - ads you can't show without shame or explanation."
Some big agencies in Kenya do this extremely well. That's why nowadays you will find almost the whole creative studio is filled with guys with huge titles like; Associate Creative Director, Creative Director - Copy, Creative Group Head, Assistant Senior Copywriter, Head of Mamase Mamasa Mamakosa, etc.
Titles are handed out like they are going out of fashion alongside words of great motivation like,...you are the most talented Kenyan we know, you are going places, you have great potential. You look back and at the end of the day all your talent does for you is Bandua na....Nyorosha na....Hepesha na,....
Well there you have it. So its up to you to make a decision like the old OMO pick a box show "The Money or the Award." Last time I checked, banks give out mortgages to guys with the cash and not the awards....Last time I also checked, agencies give great jobs to guys with great books. Catch 22.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
Najivunia kuwa Wazimu
It's a fact that we creative types are far from ordinary when it comes to mental functions. I mean, how many times have you heard that notion of ..."ai, you guys are not sawa in the head?" I personally have pulled some stunts while in employment which could only be attributed to temporary insanity.
I admit to throwing tantrums, assaulting office equipment and yeah there was that incident with a certain top dog once in a boardroom. But, ask any suit and they will admit that the scariest thing about most creatives is their mood swings. One minute a guy is smiling and the next he is barking at you for a bad proposition on your brief.
Well my fellow creatives, don't feel bad or rush to Dr. Frank Njenga (who I must say is pretty cool) just yet. It has been scientifically proven that there is a link between madness and creativity especially the mood swing thing.
Peeps and peepets, you just might be Bi-Polar. Here's a list of some famous people who have achieved greatness in their fields, perhaps with a little assistance from their mental issues:
* Mel Gibson, actor and director
* Macy Gray, musician and actor
* Linda Hamilton, star of the terminator movies
* Ernest Hemingway, writer
* Sinead O'Connor, musician
* Jean-Claude Van Damme, actor
* Vincent Van Gogh, artist
* Virginia Woolf, writer
* Marshall Mathers (Eminem)
* Jim Carrey, actor
* Winston Churchill
* Mark Twain
* Robert Louis Stevenson, Poet
* Robert Frost, Poet
* Isaac Newton, Scientist
So my fellow creative, next time someone tells you that you're mad maybe just maybe it could be "wivu", that the voices in your head are not talking to them.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
I admit to throwing tantrums, assaulting office equipment and yeah there was that incident with a certain top dog once in a boardroom. But, ask any suit and they will admit that the scariest thing about most creatives is their mood swings. One minute a guy is smiling and the next he is barking at you for a bad proposition on your brief.
Well my fellow creatives, don't feel bad or rush to Dr. Frank Njenga (who I must say is pretty cool) just yet. It has been scientifically proven that there is a link between madness and creativity especially the mood swing thing.
Peeps and peepets, you just might be Bi-Polar. Here's a list of some famous people who have achieved greatness in their fields, perhaps with a little assistance from their mental issues:
* Mel Gibson, actor and director
* Macy Gray, musician and actor
* Linda Hamilton, star of the terminator movies
* Ernest Hemingway, writer
* Sinead O'Connor, musician
* Jean-Claude Van Damme, actor
* Vincent Van Gogh, artist
* Virginia Woolf, writer
* Marshall Mathers (Eminem)
* Jim Carrey, actor
* Winston Churchill
* Mark Twain
* Robert Louis Stevenson, Poet
* Robert Frost, Poet
* Isaac Newton, Scientist
So my fellow creative, next time someone tells you that you're mad maybe just maybe it could be "wivu", that the voices in your head are not talking to them.
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I hate you Peter Marangi
Every once in a while an ad agency comes up with such a brilliant campaign that it becomes a nightmare for any creative to sell a concept without clients asking them to make it similar to that great campaign. Peter Marangi is one such campaign and that's why I hate him.
After the Marangi campaign, I remember walking into presentations or pitches and clients would ask..."why don't you do something like Peter Marangi?"
Now, I am not saying that clients have no idea on creating ideas that stand out, but folks let Marangi do Duracoat and let your creative propose another direction for your campaign to suit your needs.
In fact take a look around and you can clearly see the effects of clients who have simply borrowed from other campaigns. The similarity is annoying.
The new Valon billboards look curiously similar to the Sheila Mwanyiga Vaseline Billboards.Verona Ice somehow makes you thirst for a Smirnoff Ice.
The style of the Postbank Commercials remind me of Family Bank Commercials.
So,now I guess you copy my drift. Peter Marangi, I HATE YOU!
But hey, that's just my opinion.
After the Marangi campaign, I remember walking into presentations or pitches and clients would ask..."why don't you do something like Peter Marangi?"
Now, I am not saying that clients have no idea on creating ideas that stand out, but folks let Marangi do Duracoat and let your creative propose another direction for your campaign to suit your needs.
In fact take a look around and you can clearly see the effects of clients who have simply borrowed from other campaigns. The similarity is annoying.
The new Valon billboards look curiously similar to the Sheila Mwanyiga Vaseline Billboards.Verona Ice somehow makes you thirst for a Smirnoff Ice.
The style of the Postbank Commercials remind me of Family Bank Commercials.
So,now I guess you copy my drift. Peter Marangi, I HATE YOU!
But hey, that's just my opinion.
Monday, January 10, 2011
My name is Blonde,....Jane Blonde
So yesterday I'm sitting with a good friend of mine who left the agency world and became a brand manager. When I asked her about what the transition from agency to client side felt like, she was quick to say "thank god people don't take me as a blonde anymore!".
You might think that marketing and ad industry types are "chanukad" but somehow there is a perception that females working in the industry are not the brightest crayons in the box. Where this came from, I have no idea but just listen to conversations on ad agency corridors and you will note the feelings.
A creative director I was working under once pointed out that creativity in the alcohol beverage industry died once women were made brand managers. He quipped "What does a housewife know about drinking habits of majority of the target market which is men?".
An agency MD once sent out an HR search for a beautiful chic from the same tribe as a particular client so that the agency could get more estimates signed. "I don't care if she can read or write, just get a girl in a short skirt and let her wave the estimate to the client and I am sure he will sign it."
Another notorious MD who is known for not mincing his words, once blasted a female account executive with these words. "You are not stupid, you are a hero. In fact, someone should hang you on a clothes line and let us watch all the stupidity drip out of you".
It is a fact that new chics in agencies go through hell. The kind of hell you see in movies when a chic wants to make friends with the popular cheer leaders. Its hard to gain acceptance within the girls who have their agency territory clearly marked.
I do not support the perception that agency lasses are blondes, but clearly ladies you have a task ahead. I would say that ye who adds value and does not just act like a glorified messenger will earn the respect deserved. So if you don't know, now you know.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
You might think that marketing and ad industry types are "chanukad" but somehow there is a perception that females working in the industry are not the brightest crayons in the box. Where this came from, I have no idea but just listen to conversations on ad agency corridors and you will note the feelings.
A creative director I was working under once pointed out that creativity in the alcohol beverage industry died once women were made brand managers. He quipped "What does a housewife know about drinking habits of majority of the target market which is men?".
An agency MD once sent out an HR search for a beautiful chic from the same tribe as a particular client so that the agency could get more estimates signed. "I don't care if she can read or write, just get a girl in a short skirt and let her wave the estimate to the client and I am sure he will sign it."
Another notorious MD who is known for not mincing his words, once blasted a female account executive with these words. "You are not stupid, you are a hero. In fact, someone should hang you on a clothes line and let us watch all the stupidity drip out of you".
It is a fact that new chics in agencies go through hell. The kind of hell you see in movies when a chic wants to make friends with the popular cheer leaders. Its hard to gain acceptance within the girls who have their agency territory clearly marked.
I do not support the perception that agency lasses are blondes, but clearly ladies you have a task ahead. I would say that ye who adds value and does not just act like a glorified messenger will earn the respect deserved. So if you don't know, now you know.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
2929..too right!
Zawadi 2929 cash kila siku.. man, I can't seem to get that promotion jingle out of my mind. For once let me just swallow my pride and give a promotion kudos where its due. Those guys got it right. That is one success story and why?
According to me 2929 got the definition of a brand correct. The best definition I ever heard about a brand was : "A brand is how a consumer feels about a product". Now, what Kenyans felt for 2929 is a simple thing, TRUST. They felt 2929 was legit.
Why is it that we felt we could trust 2929?
First of all, Appropriate use of personality. Using OJ, Tanya, Fred Obachi as the presenters was a simple idea yet very effective. Why? How could you not like them? Its easier to warm up to a promotion when you use loved personalities with a sense of humor.
Second. I don't know how they did it but they got the winners to convince us that winning is possible. The woman from western Kenya shouting halleluyah, the guy from garrissa, the maid, etc Note they did not show us boring winners. Edit, edit, edit.
Third. The jingle (as much as I do not advocate jingles) could not stop ringing in your mind. Its number one on my morning shower song list.
Fourth. The winners announcement was made a grand news item. Julie Gichuru on the Sunday news and kina OJ worked it so well, that even I was on my phone wishing I had won.
Fifth.The daily prizes were not over the top but seemingly within reach. Can I see myself winning 500k today? Yes. But when you offer me something that's too much, my mind switches off.
I can only wonder how Royal Media is laughing all the way to the bank (Not that its their first time, and I can assure you it wont be the last).
Hey, that's my opinion.
According to me 2929 got the definition of a brand correct. The best definition I ever heard about a brand was : "A brand is how a consumer feels about a product". Now, what Kenyans felt for 2929 is a simple thing, TRUST. They felt 2929 was legit.
Why is it that we felt we could trust 2929?
First of all, Appropriate use of personality. Using OJ, Tanya, Fred Obachi as the presenters was a simple idea yet very effective. Why? How could you not like them? Its easier to warm up to a promotion when you use loved personalities with a sense of humor.
Second. I don't know how they did it but they got the winners to convince us that winning is possible. The woman from western Kenya shouting halleluyah, the guy from garrissa, the maid, etc Note they did not show us boring winners. Edit, edit, edit.
Third. The jingle (as much as I do not advocate jingles) could not stop ringing in your mind. Its number one on my morning shower song list.
Fourth. The winners announcement was made a grand news item. Julie Gichuru on the Sunday news and kina OJ worked it so well, that even I was on my phone wishing I had won.
Fifth.The daily prizes were not over the top but seemingly within reach. Can I see myself winning 500k today? Yes. But when you offer me something that's too much, my mind switches off.
I can only wonder how Royal Media is laughing all the way to the bank (Not that its their first time, and I can assure you it wont be the last).
Hey, that's my opinion.
Here's to the O'SCHOOL
At the risk of contradicting myself, the other day I was day dreaming about one advertising agency that was on fire some time back when it came to producing Brand Kings in Kenya,....that agency was Ogilvy & Mather of yesteryear.
If there was a model of an agency that I wish could be revived, it is the great O&M of back in the day. Why? Well O&M back in the day was an agency that believed in the importance of training personnel and instilling great brand building values.
If you were identified as future potential, you would be immediately shipped of to the UK or South Africa and get trained on the Ogilvy way. Let alone that, the agency used to invest in training its own clients with workshops ranging from how radio works to how the briefing process works.
Take a look at the movers and shakers who are all O&M Alumni: Linus Gitahi - CEO Nation Media Group,
Brenda Mbathi - EABL hot shot, George Lutta - MD of Media Initiative, Rose Kimotho - Who started regional reach and now owner of Kameme and K24, the list goes on and on. A bunch of great creatives also emerged from the O'School including Eric Ndavi, Michael Munyi, Munyi Mutahi, Mwashumbe, Josie Kamunyo - owner of the highly successful Mojo Productions and the Late great Tony Msalame.
Also worth mentioning was the great O&M bar, which itself was a symbol of the creative spirit. Work hard, Play hard. The agency ate, drank, slept and breathed advertising passion.
Those were the good old days when passion reigned and people were out to deliver work "terrific" and not just "tomorrow".
Will Kenya ever see an agency where creatives are so passionate and suits so knowledgeable, hmmmmm I wonder.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
If there was a model of an agency that I wish could be revived, it is the great O&M of back in the day. Why? Well O&M back in the day was an agency that believed in the importance of training personnel and instilling great brand building values.
If you were identified as future potential, you would be immediately shipped of to the UK or South Africa and get trained on the Ogilvy way. Let alone that, the agency used to invest in training its own clients with workshops ranging from how radio works to how the briefing process works.
Take a look at the movers and shakers who are all O&M Alumni: Linus Gitahi - CEO Nation Media Group,
Brenda Mbathi - EABL hot shot, George Lutta - MD of Media Initiative, Rose Kimotho - Who started regional reach and now owner of Kameme and K24, the list goes on and on. A bunch of great creatives also emerged from the O'School including Eric Ndavi, Michael Munyi, Munyi Mutahi, Mwashumbe, Josie Kamunyo - owner of the highly successful Mojo Productions and the Late great Tony Msalame.
Also worth mentioning was the great O&M bar, which itself was a symbol of the creative spirit. Work hard, Play hard. The agency ate, drank, slept and breathed advertising passion.
Those were the good old days when passion reigned and people were out to deliver work "terrific" and not just "tomorrow".
Will Kenya ever see an agency where creatives are so passionate and suits so knowledgeable, hmmmmm I wonder.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Get Saved, Get Shelved
Lets face it. Getting or staying within the cool ranks in an ad agency is not so much determined by what you know, its who you hang out with and where you range on the cool radar.That's why I think. It is easier for a party animal than a Saved dude to make it as a creative.
I remember once having a conversation with an ad agency MD and some indian expats. The Indian fellas asked what being born again is. The woman erupted as if Lucifer himself had tampered with her bra and went into tantrums talking this and that about Christianity. Now tell me how long would you last in such a place if you were a saved creative?
The other thing to consider is that yes there are cliques in the industry. Take a trip down Lenana Road and see who's having a drink at the Red Sea. Now if those people round the table do not consider you cool, then woiyee unto you.
I am not saying that being a born again creative is not cool, I am just saying that you will have to work twice as hard than a guy who knows where to get some sheep shearer a line of Sonkos money making candy.
Kudos though to those in the game and who are making strides. For example, the point five CD on valley road and I hear quite an upcoming talent who has a name like a french soccer player within the same premisis.
Its the old debate on sometimes whether its really the jobo or the cool factor that will get you further in this industry. Perception vs Portfolio. But lets not forget, being born again is gaining momentum in the cool radar.
Hey, thats just my opinion.
I remember once having a conversation with an ad agency MD and some indian expats. The Indian fellas asked what being born again is. The woman erupted as if Lucifer himself had tampered with her bra and went into tantrums talking this and that about Christianity. Now tell me how long would you last in such a place if you were a saved creative?
The other thing to consider is that yes there are cliques in the industry. Take a trip down Lenana Road and see who's having a drink at the Red Sea. Now if those people round the table do not consider you cool, then woiyee unto you.
I am not saying that being a born again creative is not cool, I am just saying that you will have to work twice as hard than a guy who knows where to get some sheep shearer a line of Sonkos money making candy.
Kudos though to those in the game and who are making strides. For example, the point five CD on valley road and I hear quite an upcoming talent who has a name like a french soccer player within the same premisis.
Its the old debate on sometimes whether its really the jobo or the cool factor that will get you further in this industry. Perception vs Portfolio. But lets not forget, being born again is gaining momentum in the cool radar.
Hey, thats just my opinion.
Hello New Constitution, Goodbye Kenyan Creative
So here I am reading that Ogilvy Africa's headquarters will now be based in Kenya. Great stuff, great news, way to go. With this comes the CEO, nope it aint a Mwangi, Mutua or Onyango. Its some Odiero,...now lets not get xenophobic. I have nothing against these dudes.What ticks me off is that the Kenyan (local) Creative does not realise that he is a species facing extinction.
With most companies not sending out locals to gain much needed training, I am afraid that the fight just got harder for local creatives to make it to the top. Why do I say so?
Well, have your heard of something called dual citizenship. A nice answer to any shareholder who would ask who will head agency creative departments when current breed of Odieros go? Answer is simple, some new Odiero who will get dual citizenship chap chap.
Kenyan creatives, what is the point of working your asses off for places that claim to have affiliates with big fat global agencies, while you do not kula the fruits of affiliation.
The only way you can assure yourselves of getting what is rightly yours is
1) Kicking ass at work (Good luck getting a 75Million campaign signed off with your skin colour)
2)Rightly demand what is yours and get your ass trained overseas by your agency or you will just be reduced to that same-o same-o song, "you have great potential tra la la la la but you aint ready".
Unless of course you are happy with being yet another token black creative.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
With most companies not sending out locals to gain much needed training, I am afraid that the fight just got harder for local creatives to make it to the top. Why do I say so?
Well, have your heard of something called dual citizenship. A nice answer to any shareholder who would ask who will head agency creative departments when current breed of Odieros go? Answer is simple, some new Odiero who will get dual citizenship chap chap.
Kenyan creatives, what is the point of working your asses off for places that claim to have affiliates with big fat global agencies, while you do not kula the fruits of affiliation.
The only way you can assure yourselves of getting what is rightly yours is
1) Kicking ass at work (Good luck getting a 75Million campaign signed off with your skin colour)
2)Rightly demand what is yours and get your ass trained overseas by your agency or you will just be reduced to that same-o same-o song, "you have great potential tra la la la la but you aint ready".
Unless of course you are happy with being yet another token black creative.
Hey, that's just my opinion.
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