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Opinion | Features
Disclosure in Social Media: How transparent should bloggers be?
In this guest post, blogger and digital creative Laura McWhinnie argues for more disclosure in the bloggersphere.
The bloggersphere has always been a bit like the Wild West. Bloggers could post about products to their heart’s content without having to disclose their relationship with the brand. This meant that consumers had no idea who was behind the marketing messages influencing their purchasing decisions. But in 2009 that all changed
Liars, cheats and thieves
Is our industry full of cheats and liars or do people of honour who stand by their word still exist in business? In an exclusive that first appeared in Encore, Cameron Boon investigates. The recent court case involving Paul Fishlock suing his former employer The Campaign Palace brought into focus more than just the struggle of one man. It highlighted that there are some in adland whose word cannot always be relied upon.
Q&A with Adshel's Rob Atkinson
Online trading is the next big thing says Rob Atkinson in a piece that first appeared in Encore. Who is the most powerful person in Australian media and why?
Harold Mitchell because of his influence and the footprint he has left. He’s built a huge brand in Mitchells, offloaded it into Aegis, Aegis has obviously done extremely well to be then sold on to Dentsu. So if you think about it, he is very much a father figure of the industry.
Making it overseas
Is the best way of being successful in Australia not be here at all? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Lee Zachariah speaks to Aussies making it big abroad.I always wanted to work in New York,” says Julian Cole. “I thought it was the number one place to work in advertising; a lot of the best campaigns were coming out of there. So I moved over and was lucky enough to have a couple of interviews in the first couple of weeks.”
Cole’s story is indicative of the somewhat contentious idea that the best way to be successful in Australia is to not be in Australia any more.
Got a book in you?
From journos to ad execs and PRs, these days everyone seems to have a book in them. But what does it take to get published and will you actually make any money? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Brooke Hemphill finds out.Attention wannabe authors. Forget big fat advance cheques and living off royalties. The reality of having a book published today is another story altogether. There are only two reasons you should even consider sitting down at your computer to bash out a manuscript – passion or profile.
Savage counsel
In an article that first appeared in Encore, Chris Savage tackles your career and agency dilemmas in his weekly advice column.Hi Chris,
My clients seem to be demanding more and more from us. At the same time, it seems many of the younger people in our industry simply don’t have the client servicing skills my generation grew up with. How do we instill in our executives some of the good old-fashioned behaviours that would keep a client happy and loyal?
Fake it til' you make it... as an ad agency receptionist
From dressing the part to playing the gatekeeper, Leo Burnett Sydney’s Susie Henry tells us how to make it as the face of adland in a piece that first appeared in Encore.What does a receptionist in an ad agency actually do?
Well, there’s the frantic every-day, all-day stuff of deliveries, courier bookings, doing expenses for directors – always challenging – plus arranging all the travel. But one of my main jobs is counselling the account service people. I also keep up with all sports information to discuss with our sports-loving clients – because who wants to be bored while they’re waiting? And I know how they like their coffee. You need to know everyone – from accounting to HR. I’m also the go-to for all catering and sending flowers.
Whose views skew the news? Media chiefs ready to vote out Labor, while reporters lean left
Most journalists lean left-of-centre, says Folker Hanusch of the University of the Sunshine Coast, in a post first published on The Conversation.Most Australian journalists describe themselves as left-wing, yet amongst those who wield the real power in the country’s newsrooms, the Coalition holds a winning lead.
But while the media’s political leanings will no doubt be debated in the lead-up to September’s federal election, our study has also found other largely unscrutinised biases remain – particularly whose views disproportionately shape the news.
It's time for a new New Wave in the film world
Government funding bodies are lazy and decadent, says industry veteran Michael Thornhill but in a piece that first appeared in Encore, Ed Gibbs begs to differ.I vividly remember the time I first saw Animal Kingdom, David Michod’s breathtaking labour-of-love feature debut. The press screening was half empty, despite the film winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance just months earlier, in 2010. Yet its superb performances, stylistic flourishes and overall polish left me speechless. Could this really be a feature debut, an Australian one at that, I wondered, almost out loud? It seemed too good to be true.
Going cold turkey on an agency addiction
Life is sweet for freelance writer Max Kitchen, but in a feature that first appeared in Encore, he admits his struggle against returning to the agency fold.I’ve never taken heroin. But I suspect if I had, the temptation to try it again would not be too dissimilar to the lure of returning to agency life.
Can sport save Ten?
First there was the Grand Prix. Next came the reported $500m bid for cricket rights, then Ten secured the 2014 winter Olympics. So, can sport save the ailing network? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Nic Christensen investigates.The television sports rights bidding process is a bit like a game of poker.
Check, fold or bet. Those were the options for the Ten Network last week when it had to finalise its bid for the cricket rights.
Andy Lark: good for the marketing of marketing
I can still remember the first story I wrote about Andy Lark, when it emerged that he was to be the new chief marketing officer of CommBank.
It was immediately clear that Australia was about to meet an interesting marketer, one who blogged and tweeted and thanks to his time at Dell in the US was digitally savvy. Even two years ago, that was a big deal. The fact that he also had a stint in public relations gave him an absolutely intriguing background before he even arrived.
Storming the media barricades - advice for young journalists
This week Mumbrella’s Nic Christensen, who began his career four years ago, gave the keynote address to would-be journalists at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance’s Student Day. This is an edited version of his speech.Good afternoon, I can remember distinctly the last time I was in this room.
It was 2009 and I was sitting where you are. I’d come to this event, a friend and myself — from memory we sat up the back — and I can remember at the time wondering if I’d ever get a job as a journalist.
It was only four years ago and then as now getting a job was ultra competitive but I’m not sure there was quite as much media ‘doom and gloom’ as there is now…
Paywalls will help fund campaigning journalism
In this guest post, News Limited’s group editorial director Campbell Reid responds to the views of ninemsn’s Hal Crawford that the company’s push into metered paywalls is about data rather than dollars.Hal Crawford is both right and wrong in his article which argued that our digital subscription plans are all about the data.
Fake it 'til you make it... as a features editor
Cosmo’s Kate Leaver tells us how to bluff it in her job in a feature that first appeared in Encore.What do you do, as a features editor?
Really, play with words and ideas all day. At any one time, we’re working across three issues of the mag – getting one on its way to the printers, pooling all the words together for another, and planning the issue after that. It’s busy but it’s a pretty magnificent process.
Sean Cummins: Adelaide hasn’t seen a new agency of our stature for 20 years; we’d launch in New York before Sydney
CumminsRoss’s new Adelaide office
Ad agency CumminsRoss is aiming to triple in size in South Australia over the next 12 months, with outspoken boss Sean Cummins saying “Adelaide hasn’t seen a new agency of our stature for 20 years.”
CumminsRoss opened in Adelaide in February 2012, and its CEO reckons by this time next year the agency will have grown to 30 people – triple its current size.
The agency has just moved into new premises, from Pirie Street to a 8,000 square feet office on Angas Street, which has room for 60 people.
“We have made a significant investment in people and premises. And hope to number 30 people by end of 2013. CumminsRoss SA is here to stay,” he said.
CumminsRoss SA launched as a full service agency, with media and production inhouse, appointing Bronwen Gwynn-Jones from Jigsaw Media Solutions as founding partner. Clients now include Vok Beverages, Marine Parks SA and Adelaide Hilton.
“Adelaide hasn’t seen a new agency of our stature for 20 years,” Cummins said.
CumminsRoss launched its Melbourne base in January 2011. It now has 72 staff. Clients include Chrysler, Fonterra, Asahi and Jacob’s Creek.
At Mumbrella Question in Melbourne in August, Cummins said he had no plans to launch in Sydney – and Sydney remains off his radar, for now.
“If we were approached by key people who want to start the one stop shop model there representing all the disciplines we would consider them. But it’s not a priority.”
“New York will happen before Sydney,” he said.
Among CumminsRoss SA’s recent work was a campaign for Vok Beverages’ Bearded Lady bourbon, which featured a transexual using a urinal, and a stunt involving scooters ridden 2,800km across Australia towing ads for Vok Beverages’ Rebellion Bay Spiced Rum.
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Comments
18 Dec 12
11:03 am
Oh Sean we’ve been listening to you for a very loooooong time.Isn’t there a sequel to the Jeep transvestite border collie spot just waiting to be written?
18 Dec 12
11:58 am
As an ex-Adelaidian, it’s nice to see the town get bit of a shake up and clients there getting a better offer than the usual rotation. The town deserves the best. And if there was ever a market that needs a one-stop-shop, it’s Adelaide.
18 Dec 12
12:00 pm
Great news for the state and for the industry!
18 Dec 12
12:21 pm
Great news for the state and for the industry!
18 Dec 12
12:29 pm
Adelaide needs this!
18 Dec 12
12:39 pm
Hillarious. Appoints the ex-owner of a second-rate, failed little publishing business as his founding partner and reckons he’s shaking it up. He obviously doesn’t understand Adelaide too well. Still, Adelaide could do with another decent agency of stature, beyond kwp and Clems (on a good day), but I’d be very surprised if CR is it – in its current form anyway.
18 Dec 12
12:42 pm
Awesome. Good times for Adelaide and the Industry.
18 Dec 12
12:54 pm
Adelaide must be ripe for the pickings… They’ll do well there.
18 Dec 12
12:56 pm
Good for Adelaide, like Eric said it is good for another quality agency here. And after already picking up a few big clients here, they look like they mean business!
18 Dec 12
1:07 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing how 2013 rolls out and wish the team at CR all the best… if everyone heeded the negativity spouted by others then nothing would get done.
I for one am glad that someone has been brave enough to step in and offer something different.
18 Dec 12
1:40 pm
It’s actually refreshing to have an agency so fresh make a bold statement of intention like this in Adelaide – it seems like there’s a lot of latent talent in town, so it’s great to see somebody recognise that potential. Watching that space, absolutely!
18 Dec 12
2:39 pm
I love the idea of zigging while other zag. Good for you Sean!
18 Dec 12
3:39 pm
I think i am going to move to Adelaide!
18 Dec 12
5:43 pm
Hope their work is as good as their astro-turfing.
I’d be curious to know how many of the IP addresses of these comments emanate from within the hallowed walls of CumminsRoss?
19 Dec 12
8:52 am
I just had pause to read the comments here. And as I am the only one besides Anne who puts my name to comments, I can only imagine there is a great deal of self interest in many of them.
But MR, I take exception to your commentary. You are obviously so bilious and toxic that you can only write something which aims to downgrade our personnel. You sould be ashamed of yourself.
I would love to know eactly what your career achievements are. And maybe we could all sit in awe of your stellar CV.
As for Adelaide, we have a fantastic operation here, we are growing due to the talent we have here and we will continue to build our operation. We love Adelaide and with a bit of good luck and goodwill, we will earn our place in the firmament of South Australia.
Sean
19 Dec 12
10:00 am
@Sean Cummins self promotion does have it’s risks old chap. So too does dismissing anonymous comments. They still exist, names or not, as do the opinions they express. As a self promoter you make yourself ‘famous’ by your own hand. Some of us prefer to give anonymously. Both are equally valid, though one is perhaps less arrogant.
19 Dec 12
10:02 am
I truly wish there was some way to be able to discern who some of these horrible comments come from. As a business owner with strong values around integrity it bothers me so much to think about accidentally hiring or referring someone that speaks like this anywhere, let alone online in a forum like this. If I find out they’ll be dropped like a hot potato.
From what I have learned over the years in my training as a coach about personality traits and human behaviour I guess we can be assured that this type of commentary is directly related to the fact that people like this are missing something in their own life. The need for significance in a negative way like this is usually related to the lack of significance in a positive way. If we can’t fulfil our needs in a positive way we look for filling it any way we can.
So, @Sean we can be pretty assured that @MR is lacking in this area and that is driving this type of commentary. I think we could create a new way of referring to this type of commentary much like the NSW RTA campaign with the small finger being waved in the air. Perhaps we need a text version #smallfinger ?? lol
19 Dec 12
10:05 am
First time commenting on Mumbrella, but after reading the multiple negative comments degrading peoples own work (successful work) i have to say well said in your remarks Sean…..
You’re winning great business and doing great work across both VIC and SA, and working on the publisher side we know just how hard your teams work for their clients…..well said anyways.
19 Dec 12
10:24 am
@Anne Miles love the pop psychology dear. Perhaps you could certify the commentators (at a reasonable cost of course) so that all those people out there incapable of judgement can benefit from your wisdom, and not be led astray by the ‘inexperienced’. I mean we really do need yet another person between the creators and the producers. Not to mention the benefits of a wanker free zone.
19 Dec 12
10:32 am
I’m just happy Mumbrella didn’t roll out the same head-shot of Sean (from 15 years ago) that every publisher seems to have on file. As a self-promoter, albeit a tad narcissistic, Sean is obviously one of the best. Never worked for him, or with him, but have heard the same stories as everyone in the industry. What no-one can take away is the simple fact he continues to start-up and build successful agencies time and again. At the end of the day, he’s the one laughing all the way to the bank. Plus, he gets to do things his way. I’m guessing that’s what spurs the negativity – or rather envy.
My name is bob, and I am a rabbit.
19 Dec 12
11:27 am
would hazard a guess SC would be eyeballing brisbane as well.
a lot of faffing about up here leaving a gap for someone savvy like sean to re-enter.
19 Dec 12
5:54 pm
@Groucho you are as bitter and twisted as ever, although sharp at times and, sadly, entertaining. A little incorrect on this occasion but I wont waste my breath on corrections however.
19 Dec 12
5:55 pm
Oh… I must add… #smallfinger
19 Dec 12
9:38 pm
Just have to chime in. Agree with the pushback on the negative comments. I liked the spunk of the agency and the story made me happy to hear of an agency making good.
Me thinks the really negative folks just haven’t made it and they want to tear down folks having a good crack.
20 Dec 12
5:32 am
As an ex Adelaide advertising person I wish CR all the best in Adelaide, hope they really put kwp and clems on the edge of their seat. I do believe Sean and his team can bring a new level of creative competiveness the state desperately needs.
I do however have grave hopes of your ability to win work in sa, not because your credentials and talent, but because of the completely backwards, risk adverse marketing managers that’s rule the industry in sa who are completely against any form of change.
If you don’t win tourism, I hope you will stay and not pack up and leave.
20 Dec 12
10:28 pm
I love to see the crictism and also the negativity. It must fill “Sean’s tank” to succeed even more ! Well done to you(Sean) and the whole team ! Best wishes for the year of 2013!
Ps ….. Haters are going to hate!