23
2010
Art & Copy: A Few Thoughts
I recently saw the film Art & Copy, and thought I’d share a few thoughts about what I saw…
I agree that anyone in this industry should take some time to reflect historically. And if you’ve done your homework, you already know that the design mavericks of the 70’s etched their names into advertising history. Remove the clouds of cigarette smoke, add 100x more passion and the ability to push their gut onto clients, and you’ve got the real Mad Men. Advertising took a risk back then, but it was an intuitive social push from talented pioneers that understood the need for change and had the bravery to make it happen. Advertising was deemed entertainment.
Framed in the story of the guy who actually hangs the billboards was the perfect shift in perspective. That was a part of the ad that no one ever thought about, yet it’s still a part of the process. In a world where everyone is inundated with messaging, the only way you’ll stand out is if you roar when others talk, make the consumer cultural connection and speak the brand truth. All three of those, and chances are, you’ve got the magic. That in itself I found inspiring. The search for the holy grail of good work continues for most of us living in smaller fish bowls.
I moved quickly along the storyline until the Wieden + Kennedy tour. It wasn’t the beautifully creative fun zones - from the basketball court to the heavy bags hanging in the lobby that caught me. It was what Wieden said about creatives. I wanted to pause and rewind again, just to make sure I heard it right. If you want creativity, look at your environment. It has to be a safe haven. Creatives need the wingspan to make mistakes, grow ideas and hone their inner cultural compasses. We don’t have the answers, but we could have a possible step towards it. The ability to lose the fear could make all the difference. Part of me wanted to stand and cheer “Yes, he gets it!”
