In 2025, for this newsletter, I’m going to focus on the “My Advertising Portfolio” series I wrote the first three chapters of last year (links at the bottom).
Chapter 4 will come next Thursday. Then I’ll aim to post a new chapter at on the first Thursday of each month (or thereabouts).
The Thursdays between those, I’ll find other stuff to write about. Probably a mix of old things I wrote while sitting in a Pret in 2015 and lists of all the books I have been reading instead of listening to two-guys-talking podcasts (my aspiration).
In the meantime, here is my response to the first question on the 2009 AWARD School application (it wasn’t successful):
1. Why do you want to be involved in creative communications?
A few years ago I worked as an office temp with an older fellow named Gary. Several times each day, he would say the same thing to me: “We’re not numbers people, James! We’re both creatives!” Our job was to proofread financial Statements of Advice for typographical and pagination errors. ‘Is this what being “creative” is?’ I wondered.
It transpired that Gary was using the term ‘creative’ to refer to his place in the universe as a free spirit, rather than his endless string of office temping assignments. Either way, I took a fancy to the title. I was jealous of the patronising tone Gary took with all he spoke to. I wanted to be a creative.
After some research I discovered that I was definitely not a free spirit. I’ll never forget the disappointment when I opened that hemp envelope and saw the rustic Free Spirit Society font, informing me that my application was unsuccessful – my spirit forever condemned. The national FSS representative, John Butler, had signed the letter. I noticed later that he had also written the URL for his band’s Myspace page – a final slap to the soul. My fate was decided, I would never call myself ‘a creative.’
Miraculously, the very next hour, a colleague (after seeing my tears) informed me that most advertising agencies have entire departments of people titled ‘Creatives’ – and with a capital, too! Being involved in creative communication in a physical location (rather than across the entire universe) is obviously my new fate.
Also, John Butler suggested that I cut my suit pants into shorts… I think I cut them too short.
Over the years, colleagues and recruiters have suggested that I should have a portfolio of the ads I have made so I can get offered jobs. I’ve tried a million times, but I can’t do it. Uploading all your ads to a little Squarespace site? Yuck! Listing your industry awards and shortlists? Humiliating.
Over the years, colleagues and recruiters have suggested that I should have a portfolio of the ads I have made so I can get offered jobs. I’ve tried a million times, but I can’t do it. Uploading all your ads to a little Squarespace site? Yuck! Listing your industry awards and shortlists? Humiliating.
