It’s a shame that the “agency” has become a four letter word. I agree and still believe agency people provide real value as you mentioned. And I love a ship full of misfits. I love solving problems, telling stories, working with smart people on the agency and client side. But I do think we became too expensive and too slow, not intentionally, just because we were big. Too much overhead. I do believe there is work, that is why I’m starting my own shop…I know it is a trend and a lot of us older ad folk are doing it, but maybe it is a new agency renaissance? Keep the blog going Rob, we enjoy it.
I think there is Renaissance potential, for sure. Look at the Creative Revolution and how many shops were started then. I’m sure you will do some great stuff.
The reason we persist is both efficiency and creativity — without the former, the latter may be a cleverer sandwich board (which Dave Dye showed can be pretty great) but not an entire industry.
I truly buy your point that agencies and bugs are here for the long term, and for the same reasons TV hasn’t been dead for the last 24 years of its predicted demise.
Still, you have to wish weren’t so complicit in our own problems. Not finding an answer to value-destroying fragmentation, demolishing trust via “principle media buying,” sending our most proven talent off on the ice flow, “saving $750 million via merger-related cuts (almost certainly mostly in jobs) while spending $40 million plus on a CEO gift for purchase, while giving same a $10 million gig.
It’s indicative to me that your list of the “proof of worth” ideas tend to be heavily weighted to campaigns from the past. Even Just Do It circa now, seems less than what it once was.
On that score, a lot of us trying not to “Zoom it in.” Your words of encouragement about the possibilities hit home.
I think there's a serious malaise across the creative community... I'd go into why I think that's the case but I don't feel like it. 😎 but it's infecting everything. I'm working hard to push beyond it, but... the resistance is strong from clients, account folks, even creatives.
I’m not anti-agency. I’m anti big dumb agency.
It’s a shame that the “agency” has become a four letter word. I agree and still believe agency people provide real value as you mentioned. And I love a ship full of misfits. I love solving problems, telling stories, working with smart people on the agency and client side. But I do think we became too expensive and too slow, not intentionally, just because we were big. Too much overhead. I do believe there is work, that is why I’m starting my own shop…I know it is a trend and a lot of us older ad folk are doing it, but maybe it is a new agency renaissance? Keep the blog going Rob, we enjoy it.
I think there is Renaissance potential, for sure. Look at the Creative Revolution and how many shops were started then. I’m sure you will do some great stuff.
I’m the biggest misfit I know and no agencies are banging down my door.
They don’t know what they’re missing.
The reason we persist is both efficiency and creativity — without the former, the latter may be a cleverer sandwich board (which Dave Dye showed can be pretty great) but not an entire industry.
I truly buy your point that agencies and bugs are here for the long term, and for the same reasons TV hasn’t been dead for the last 24 years of its predicted demise.
Still, you have to wish weren’t so complicit in our own problems. Not finding an answer to value-destroying fragmentation, demolishing trust via “principle media buying,” sending our most proven talent off on the ice flow, “saving $750 million via merger-related cuts (almost certainly mostly in jobs) while spending $40 million plus on a CEO gift for purchase, while giving same a $10 million gig.
It’s indicative to me that your list of the “proof of worth” ideas tend to be heavily weighted to campaigns from the past. Even Just Do It circa now, seems less than what it once was.
On that score, a lot of us trying not to “Zoom it in.” Your words of encouragement about the possibilities hit home.
Always thoughtful, Mr Loeb. Thank you for reading and thanks for your perspective.
I think there's a serious malaise across the creative community... I'd go into why I think that's the case but I don't feel like it. 😎 but it's infecting everything. I'm working hard to push beyond it, but... the resistance is strong from clients, account folks, even creatives.