Sean Cummins to challenge anonymous blog commenters
Sean Cummins – one of Australia’s best known, and most outspoken – creatives is to speak out against the culture of anonymous criticism within the advertising industry.
Cummins, whose latest venture is full service agency Cummins Ross which launched in January, will issue the challenge at next month’s Mumbrella360 conference.
In the session – Cummins vs Anonymous – he will talk about his own experiences at the hands of anonymous commenters on industry blogs, including Mumbrella. And he will offer up his own suggestions on how to move forward.
Cummins is one of Australia’s most awarded creatives. He was at the helm of Cummins Nitro, now Sapient Nitro, when the agency created the multi-award winning Best Job In The World campaign for Tourism Queensland.
Cummins has worked on some of Australia’s biggest brands including creating Tourism Victoria’s ‘You’ll Love Every Piece Of Victoria’ jigsaw piece positioning, Virgin Blue’s ‘Keeping the air fair’ and Holden and RSPCA. Cummins also previously worked at Mojo, Y&R and George Patterson Bates.
Mumbrella360 takes place on June 7 and June 8. Tickets are available at the Mumbrella360 website .
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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That’ll be a good one.
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Naw, did someone got their feelings hurt by the Internets?
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Wouldn’t it be an idea to have a speaker on the benefits of anonymous commentary as well. Happy to volunteer if I can wear a mask (and cape).
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Bring on the onslaught of anonymous comments…
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Really? you write a blog, put it out there… and expect your rules to be followed… really? Sure, we all like to say “be brave enough to put your name to your comments” but that’s not the way it works.
…AND.. i agree with Gezza… sometime you have to allow the Anonymous to speak so you can get honest answers or information without fear of retribution – be it pure gossip or factual revelation.
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that’s the trouble with ‘comfort zones’
nothing grows there!
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“We must not have any criticism. It is downright wrong. You’ll love every piece of North Korea”.
Quote from Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s Dear Leader (2007).
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Anonymous = general public = what people really think, not what a self-congratulatory oriented industry thinks. Get yer heads outta yer arses!
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Damn you all – my name is actually Anon.
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https://mumbrella.com.au/sean-cummins-returns-with-cummins-ross-36757#comments [thread closed for legal reasons]
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Thanks “anonymous’, “anon” and “Anonymous”. It is the quality of your anonymous comments (penetrating, thoughtful and agenda-setting … NOT) that keep us semi-anonymous types in business.
It would be good if there was a space on mUmBRELLA where you could log in and have a full and frank and attributed comment / conversation about articles / topics of interest.
I think there is also a place for anonymous comments, but to claim (as above) that it’s the “general public” I suppose is meant to be someone’s idea of a joke.
It’s doesn’t bother me particularly when you read mUmBRELLA and see obvious bias in comments. I just laugh at the sad attempts to back up colleagues or undermine rivals. It’s sweetly pathetic really.
And it’s always good when Tim chimes in with the “I can sse your IP address” – a sure indication that people are using the site in a way that is both inappropriate and naive!
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Two points:
1) Some anon comments are downright rude.
2) Does anyone know where I can buy a business shirt like Sean is wearing? Since they closed down all the eat-in Pizza Huts that material is so hard to find.
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I am surprised that so many people choose to be anonymous or to use a made up name.
Seems like a lost opportunity to me.
I would have thought ‘attributed’ insightful comments could only enhance a persons business reputation – and lead to better jobs, higher pay and free drinks.
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A relevant conversation only if you are fuelled (on either side) by ego, pride and the desire for personal grudges.
If comment is valid and reasonable, then what does it matter who said it?
If comment is pointless and unreasonable, why do you care?
As ever, my mantra is “play the ball, not the man.”
Unless the man is a twunt and deserves it, of course.
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Only one thing’s worse than anonymous commentators, and that’s people who masquerade on these forums as someone else
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I think mr cummins looks rather fetching – ignore that pizza hut jibe sean.
But anonymous comments can be very unfair, but that’s the net and whilst i know some creatives can be a tad precious(moi precious?), you gotta take the bad comments with the good.
and as the old saying goes anonymity promotes honest opinions rather than kiss ass.
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Where the hell are you Rupert? You told me you were buying a small north African nation that had some war damage. Ever since we had kids I never see you.
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See I applaud this, although I unless people boycott commenting on sites that allow anon commenting I can’t see anything changing, TBH. People are happy to crap on that anon comments are just what people think. But honestly, would you dare say half of those things in person, or if there was the chance your name would be attributed? If not, why not? And if it’s about now you find yourself saying, well yeah I would, then why not put your name in the first place?
The sort of commenting that ‘anon’ allows isn’t just critical, it’s goes further to be: 1) agenda driven rants akin to agency v agency, 2) astroturfing, 3) childish and personal attacks that have little to do with the work at all. And none of those does our industry any good. In fact, we look like squabbling little children.
People can still be critical of other’s work, particularly if it merits comment. But you should also have the balls to stand behind what you care to say. Otherwise, I’m afraid, you’re just a coward.
Good luck Sean.
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Revealing oneself can get one arrested
No doubt SC will use this very thread as the ultimate example in his talk.
Silencing the anon comments is akin to censorship, which is never a good move.
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now lets talk about those new CGU ads Sean…
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Maybe, just maybe, people post comments as anonymous so they can give frank opinions without losing their job, for example?
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As an avid forum user and a new blogger I can say I really dislike anon comments.
I find that those that post anonymously on the forums using have a strong point of view and attack others but aren’t brave enough to put a name to a post.
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So if people use a name on a forum that must be their real name – yeah right!
‘Anonymous’ is simply another pseudonym – like ‘TornadoFred’, ‘DonchaThink’ or ‘Dr Mumbo’.
There are many ways to fake or conceal identities online beyond the use of ‘Anonymous’.
And beware the sockpuppets! (refer to http://egovau.blogspot.com/201.....rt-of.html)
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@Nick.
“It would be good if there was a space on mUmBRELLA where you could log in and have a full and frank and attributed comment / conversation about articles / topics of interest. ”
Nick there is nothing stopping you having a full and frank conversation. You can be yourself? You could even go to a breakfast and ask a question / debate in person. You don’t have to ‘log in’ to do that mate?
p.s. to the commenter referencing Pizza Hut – good spot!!
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Good shirt choice by Mr. Cummins . . he looks like a smart schoolboy
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I hate those people who so tease those poor put upon creative minds without doing the courtesy of leaving a name. How is one to sue?
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This issue has been brought up many tiimes. Well, now is the time to create one rule for people in advertising and one for everyone else on the internet.
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I think it comes down to your own sense of personal ethics and values doesn’t it?
If you have something to say that adds genuine value to the conversation then say it, own it, take responsibility for it and be open to any and all responses. If you think it might get you fired, offside with someone, or spoil future career opportunities then you should probably just keep it to yourself.
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@15. Hahahahahahahaha. Nicely played.
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Paddy, the people who call Crimestoppers might disagree.
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anonymous commentator = coward
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I think the profile shot says it all!
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Groucho, I may have missed it but when did Crimestoppers become an open blog forum?
It’s a different context surely but the same personal values & ethics apply. If you see or suspect a crime is being committed or about to be committed, and you can add value to society by preventing it, but might hesitate if you feel that your own personal safety is at risk, then surely anonymity offered by such a service is appropriate and should be inviolate?
I’m not sure that the advertising, marketing & media business has yet sunk to such lows that comments on this blog might lead to death threats. I could be wrong here of course, but I’ve yet to receive one in working in media for 25 years around the. world
Of course, if your comment was meant sarcastically, my apologies for my naivety, and for wasting everyone else’s time reading this.
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Merely suggesting Paddy that there are some occasions when anonymity is approrpriate. Without naming the agencies, because we can pick who they are, there have been some elucidating comments from inside on a number of occasions. Your ethics and values would keep this knowledge and entertainment from us. Admirable though it may be communication is about sometimes being able to say things without fear of retribution.Particularly when there are still a couple of despots out there running agencies like personal fiefdoms.
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Groucho, valid points as always. Like I said I thinks it a personal thing. I’m just comfortable putting my name to my comments. Perhaps I’ve also been fortunate to work for very few despots.
Have a great day.
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And Paddy you’ve had no death threats because you’re one of the good guys.
Me on the other hand……………………..
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Anonymous commentary is fine, but it can’t really be taken seriously. If you want to stand up and be heard, then have the integrity to own it. And that involves attaching your name to your opinion. Anonymous commentary is not people simply saying what they really feel, it’s an opportunity to say whatever they want without having to own up to it. Anonymous + Internet = Asshole.
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@John (comment 37)
Yeah, ok John…
Anonymous add’s some fun, mystery and difference. Often anonymous commentors do make fantastic points. They too are often not driven by ego, nor to plug themselves. This forum would be boring as bat sh1t without them.
John. Ha ha!!!!
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