Meme Huffer

Normal service will resume next week

It's been a long winter and it's time for a wee holiday, so we're off to Marrakech to relax in the sun. A break from work, a break from London and, yes, a break from blogging (I'll be sure to bore you all with my holiday snaps when I return).

Before I head off though, a quick heads-up on the Sleazy Listening tip:

There will be a fresh podcast very soon (my good buddy and old DJ partner Automatic is in town, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity). Plus we'll be out playing some records on Sunday 8th April -stay tuned for details.

See ya next week.

photo: Larry Broder via My Marrakech

Love hip hop? Love Star Wars?

Then this one's for you:

Great Quotes for Planners #22 -Huxley on pre-testing

"The vast majority of human beings dislike and even actually dread all notions with which they are not familiar... Hence it comes about that at their first appearence innovators have generally been persecuted, and always derided as fools and madmen." -Aldous Huxley

One of my favourite hobby-horses, this.

When the consumer research comes back against your brilliant, ground-breakingly original idea, remind the client that Heineken 'refreshes the parts' failed research.

As did the Dyson vacuum.
And the Aeron chair.
And Seinfeld.
And the computer mouse.
And the Sony Walkman.
And the cash machine.
And Guinness 'Surfer'.
And Stella Artois 'Jacques de Florette'

'Offended of Belfast'

Above is a recent complaint made to the (UK) Advertising Standards Authority about this commercial:

The complaint wasn't upheld.

Funnily enough, this Flake spot from the 1960s is considerably more erotic (they even repeat the sensual oral bit, just in case you missed it the first time):

Accountplan.ning

First us planners had a wiki.

Now we have our own social network (or Ning), the punningly titled accountplan.ning.

It's early days, but it promises to do much to lubricate social interaction within the plannersphere. I've already met a couple of non-blogging planners (yes, there are still a few left).

Thanks Faris -love your work.

Great Quotes for Planners #21 -more on persuasion

"If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings, and speak my words" -Cicero

Pretty fundamental, this one.

Get to know your customers, not just as demographic segments but as real people. Use your research budget to gain insight into their lives. Find out what makes them tick. Discover their fears, dreams and aspirations.

found at Copyblogger

Project for the New American Century

Ok, we've heard it all before, but the graphics are killer.

Found at Heresy

Make the ass work for you

I've no idea who is behind this gem, but it is truly hilarious:

"Seize the ass. Hold it fast and massage it. Work it. Flaunt it. Make it work for you"

Found at the ever-wonderful Where's My Jetpack?

Two conferences worth going to

While most marketing/advertsing conferences are as dull as dishwater, London is lucky enough to have two rather good ones coming up in the next few months.

First up (April 24th-25th) is Wildfire, bought to you by the wonderful peeps over at Contagious, it's all about understanding what lies behind ideas that spread and sell, and it's got a bunch of smart speakers, from Ze Frank to the planning Bhagwan himself, Russell Davies.

So go along and never be guilty of misusing the word "viral" again.

Lee has got a full blurb over at his blog, so pop on over and check it.

(Disclosure: this event is sponsored by Leo Burnett my current employer)

Secondly, on June the 16th, we have 'Interesting 2007', the brainchild of the afore-mentioned Mr Davies.

'Interesting 2007' promises to be rather, er, interesting. In Russell's own words:

"The plan is to have all sorts of speakers speak about all sorts of stuff. Not brands, advertising, blogging and twitter but interesting, unexpected, original things. I'm hoping to find fascinating people and to just ask them to speak about something they care about. I want to replicate the experience of clicking from one really good blog to another, ranging across sciences, arts, musics, jokes and whatever. There will be 20 minute slots and 3 minute slots. Some people will play music or sing. And some people who can't be there will be asked to send three minute videos. Perhaps. I reckon we can squeeze a lot of interestingness into a day. And then have a party afterwards."

At 20 quid, it's a bargain.

See you there, and there.

Great Quotes for Planners #20 -on persuasion

"If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect." -Benjamin Franklin

I think that this really cuts to the heart of what we do, not just as regards the advertising that we create but also in how we present to our clients.

Contrary to popular belief, a ninety-slide Powerpoint deck of graphs and bullet-points is not automatically persuasive. Rather, it is generally deathly boring for all concerned. Worse, it only engages the left half of the client's brain, which leads to logical & critical reactions and opinions about the minutiae of your presentation.

If your presentation was an ad, would anyone pay attention?