How Big Brother made me a better creative
Copywriter and Big Brother 2012 contestant Michael Beveridge reveals how three months locked away from the outside world has made him better equipped for the advertising industry.
G’day adland. I know you probably have no idea who I am because no-one actually watches TV anymore unless it’s downloaded episodes of The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones episode. My name is Michael. I went and lived in Dreamworld in a weird house full of cameras with 16 other people for three months and learned a bunch of stuff about myself, and, being that I was a junior copywriter before I went into the house, I thought I could give some half-arsed tips on what Big Brother can teach a young creative.
Don’t go mental when fancy client food is offered to you
Juniors in particular. Yes yes, I know you’ve only got an expired bus ticket with some peanut butter spread on it for lunch, but the minute you start losing it over three half-eaten muffins that are left in the meeting room, is the minute the attractive people in accounts stop seeing you as a viable Christmas party make-out option. So play it cool, let someone else get in there first and casually walk in like you’ve just come off some important call and snag an orange and poppyseed like it ain’t even no thang.
Loving the second point…. reminds me of something, but I just can’t put my finger on it…
Love your thoughts here Michael. Glad there is some good that is coming out of the experience for you. I think there is a lot of value in your advice, particularly the ‘find your mojo’ – never forget who you are, stay true to your values, and being authentic is OK (actually preferred these days).
You could probably set up a business coaching others how to get on the show and how to win it now too!
I hope I have a project that you fit at some point! All the best as you land back in the real world. Or not so real in advertising 😉
You’ve come a long way since the days of Normanby Terrace Beveridge 🙂
Totally Love “pull your pants up”.
There is a big difference between dressing more casual and creative and dressing like you don’t care.
it is respect for self, your colleagues and clients.
If you respect yourself, others will respect you.
@Anne. NIce astro turf.
Good luck Michael B !!
I do wish Michael had heeded his own advice in Point 3 while on Big Brother. I saw so much crack I had to go to NA.
Thank you for your powerful insights. Has <> made you an offer yet? 🙂
Michael,
Thank you for this write up. As a youngen, struggling to crack this biz, I appreciate your advice. I feel like I’m often hearing the same advice over and over, and as much as I appreciate it (really, I do, and thank you for spending your time teaching me), this feels “fresh”, and somewhat relevant to me. Good luck, I only watched BB in full a handful of times, but I liked you– even moreso, now. Cheers.
You are absolutely in the right job Michael! You have a great turn of phrase that paints an amusing picture. Hope you have your own radio show one day!
Not wanting to be Negative Nellie but some polishing of sentence structure, comma use and grammar might be wise for a copywriter. Esp when you’re presenting an article to the industry…
@Rick2. Nah, it’s a job for the Mumbrella subs (do they exist?). Many, writers turn in copy that require a pedant sub to work their magic.
Oh, and BTW Michael, all very interesting but the burning question remains: are you still hot for Estelle? and, if so, what’s the update. A nation awaits.
I can neither confirm nor deny any allegations regarding ‘Estelle’. She’s got a fair rig though.
Charming!! Ha!
“Allegations”? It was a query not an allegation. Good copy reading skills there i see 🙂
Oh, and “fair rig”. Please explain.
Hahaha this is all so true Michael… and the ‘pulling your pants up’ lesson – do you finally learn? 🙂
I used to go nuts over the delicious food, then realised 1) it made me look like a crazy woman and 2) no matter how yummy it is, don’t go back for seconds, or thirds, or fourths….
What a wit. Why waste his undoubted talent on cheap reality shows for those with huge or fragile ego’s . He should have his own chat show or morning breakfast radio show or regular witty column in mumbrella on being a freelance copywriter (surely not for long either with that HUGE talent work should flood in)….
Mick
We were looking for a copywriter. Then we stopped.
Nick
Dude, seriously – I thought it was a wig!