While in a meeting yesterday we started talking about some old work another agency had done in the same category. Instead of using the internet to get a copy of the ad he wanted to show us, Kim, one of our Executive Creative Directors, pulled out a lovely old book in which he'd mounted work he thought worthy of keeping. And there was the ad we wanted. All lovely and special, kept safe.
Old skool, in the best way.
For those of you who've stayed with this blog through all the downs you might remember a couple of years back when Gwen Yip drew me as a naked Yakult bottle.
It was a happy time. I was working at Yakult and Gwen was working at Wieden's in London, trying to make her way in advertising. As part of that journey she wrote, and drew, a blog about her experiences. Capturing the characters, the work, and the things she got up to, in her own very unique way.
And that blog has now been published in Hong Kong as book, look - a real book...
How brilliant is that. Well done Gwen.
When she knew it was going to be published she asked some of the people she'd drawn to write a little thing for it, here's what I wrote:
"There are magical moments and details in the fabric of everyday life, most people miss them. Gwen not only sees them, but celebrates them"
I'm not sure where you can buy the book from (maybe Gwen will tell us when she reads this), but try and find it, it's a lovely lovely thing.
I have to go now as I feel the need to be naked.
Russell and Ben have created a paper full of the stuff their friends have published on the internet, and it's really good, really good. A simple, unusual, and surprising thing. I won't explain too much about it as Beeker has done a great round-up over on her blog (here).
But I'd like to thank Ben for delivering my copy by hand in his gold cords and his new kicks.
As I said, read Beeker's bit on it - it's spot on. And try and beg a copy for yourself if you can. It's an internet you can swot flies with (which I think is what they set out to do).
I feel strangely proud.
Ruby has written a very funny blog post lambasting the 'I'm a PC' campaign. You should all read it, along with the rest of her stuff (which is about kids, fashion, trends, and all that kind of jazz).
Ruby's not her real name, it's a pretend one. I can't remember why she uses it, but she does. Think of it as a stage name.
Pseudonyms aside, if you want to know what's happening in youth culture she's your women. If you want a bowling partner then she is not.
I'm (actually) a PC, and this is how I roll.
So here's an interesting thing. I wrote this blog post about Big Yellow Storage a while ago. Which wasn't really saying anything other than I have some storage, with them, and, I suppose, alluding to the fact that they do a good job (which in my experience they do) of looking after my stuff.
Then today someone called Mike from Big Yellow left a comment on the post thanking me for mentioning them and then offering people some sort of deal if they use Big Yellow's new storage facility in Sheffield. I'm not sure what to think about this. A lot of me likes the fact that they read blogs about their company, and get involved in the conversation (even one that's a bit silly). But I'm not sure I dig the way that Mike stops talking to me and starts trying to sell his new service to (both) my readers in the second half of his comment.
What to do?
It feels wrong to take the comment down. I don't think he was trying to take advantage. But I do feel like he did a little. So I'm thinking maybe I should add a little pressure of my own. I do after all still have storage of my own with them, and the powerful voice of 'Life in the middle'.
So, Mike at Big Yellow, this is your chance to really show what a top man you are, and what a great company Big Yellow is. I scratched your back. Then you scratched your own back. Now it's time to scratch mine, and my readers. So, my question is - what are you going to offer myself and 'Life in the middle' readers? And don't say footballs signed by Sheffield Wednesday players.
Balls in your court.
(Here's a hint: I could do with some free storage.)
(What does everyone think he'll do? It's like a soap opera cliff hanger, I can barely stand the tension - will he reply? Will he ignore me? Will they offer me a huge sum of money to be their blogger in chief. Only time will tell...)
I don't really listen much to the radio anymore, and even less to music stations. But I stumbled across a brilliant thing this evening while driving from the shires. Radio 1 are doing one of those things only the BBC could do. Every night this week they are choosing seminal albums and exploring the story of how they were made, the cultural context, and all that kind of stuff. But better than that, they're also playing the entire album. No breaks. No jingles. No annoying DJ chat.
Tonight it was the turn of 'Rage Against The Machine', and their album of the same name. I listened to the first 40mins, and it was brilliant. A step back in time.
Only the BBC could do that. Make a huge event out of playing a record. I'm not sure what it was that made it good. I think it was the fact that a lot of other people were listening. That you had to commit to it. And that you were forced to go on the journey the band chose, rather than then people who decide the BBC playlist.
Either way, it was fresh and interesting. And a welcome break from the commercial nonsense of so much of modern life.
Thursday it's The Prodigy.
I intend to take my brain to another dimension.
7pm.
See you there.
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