When I used to work in Media Agencies, one of my favourite jobs used to be proofreading and editing the various awards entries we were pulling together from across the agency. It was a great way to see what innovative work was being done by the different teams, work I might otherwise only had a … Continue reading Making your awards entries shine
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My one year freelance anniversary
8th April 2016 was my last day as a full time employee, with me starting my first freelancing gig on 11th April. I already shared a lot of what I've learned along the way as a freelancer a few months ago, when I reflected on my first 9 months. To celebrate my 1 year anniversary … Continue reading My one year freelance anniversary
Attack of the Post It Notes
In the world of advertising we love a brainstorm (ideation session/workshop/ "bespoke agency name for it"). There seems to be this deeply held belief that if you want to be really creative and come up with original ideas, the best way to do it is to shut a group of people away in a room … Continue reading Attack of the Post It Notes
Diversity and creativity
Diversity, and broader accessibility to opportunities, have always been subjects close to my heart. If I had one wish for humanity, it would be that we could construct a world that allows all people to live their best possible lives. There is this very dangerous assumption, by many in a position of privilege, that offering "equal opportunities" … Continue reading Diversity and creativity
Professional identity crisis
In April 2016 I quit a great job to go self employed, and free up more time for my writing. The hardest thing with this transition has been trying to explain what I do in social situations. Let's face it "what do you do?", or variations thereof, is one of the first questions you're asked when … Continue reading Professional identity crisis
Bamboozled
Have you noticed that different professions have their own languages? Technically they might be speaking something approximating English, but their communications are so littered with jargon, if you are one of the uninitiated you may well struggle to understand what on earth is going on. The advertising world is one such profession. We love our … Continue reading Bamboozled
Appraisal Dread
I know I'm not the only person who has experienced dread before their work appraisal. I used to think I was, but once I started being open about my feelings I discovered very quickly that appraisal dread is a disturbingly wide-spread thing. The problem is that people don't talk about it, it's one of those … Continue reading Appraisal Dread
My first 9 months as a freelancer
In April of 2016 I took the plunge and decided to go freelance. There were several reasons for this: I'd been working on a novel for years but kept being distracted by the pressures of an intense day job, so the whole process was starting to feel like a frustrating game of snakes and ladders, … Continue reading My first 9 months as a freelancer
An audience at all costs
I was lucky enough to see Pomona back in 2014 when it debuted at the Orange Tree. I can't remember my expectations as I went into the theatre that night, but I do remember coming out feeling as if several cobwebs had blown away from the corners of my mind. I also remember the reaction … Continue reading An audience at all costs
Freedom of speech vs #dontfundhate
One of my lingering niggles from 2016 is the response of some to the #dontfundhate campaign. From social media updates to actual articles in the advertising trade press, some seem to think that #dontfundhate equates to bullying, and is an attack on freedom of speech. I find that kind of thinking dangerous. It puts freedom of … Continue reading Freedom of speech vs #dontfundhate
