Integrated Advertising explained.

Like only Saatchi can.

Grunt.

Tastes are changing, flavourless broth.

Used to be effort came forth to create content,

But now it comes fourth,

Effortless mediocrity over a beat keeps us content.

 

Production standards drop a jaw

Fruit drags us to the dance floor.

But what are standards for

When one about a presidential banana

just came thru the door?

Nothing. I guess we'll swallow raw.

 

Music and media used to reek of creativity

But now there's no accountability,

no old-fashioned responsibility

Spit it, ship it; that's productivity.

Audiences ingest mediocrity,

Screw craft and consistency,

Ignore anything near memorability,

F**k posterity.

...or maybe this is just me, wallowing in subjectivity.

 

 

#SaveSesameStreet.

 

 

 

MC-Bama

I really like this. And if you think about how much time went into the editing, you can't even hate. 

 

Apple doesn't care.

The iPhone5 is out, and everyone has an opinion. Even you. Many have taken royal pisses at it. But hate it or love it, it sure got your attention. Probably still does - and that's all it really needs. 

Regardless of the taunting most notably from Samsung and Nokia (or some really huge fans of theirs) who released ads that stack up specs and attempt to portray theirs as the better phone, it seems the guys at Apple cant be bothered. And for good reason.

There's this theory in marketing, that if a challenger brand can get the market leading brand to notice it enough that the market leader feels the need to retaliate or defend themselves, then the audience considers the challenger brand as the market leader's equal.

Apple doesn't need to prove anything to anyone, maybe in the 80s they did, but not now. And surely not to you and your list of stacked specs. Here are guys who don't do consumer research, remember? They decide what you need - like hawkers in Lagos - and it turns out they're getting better at it, because the pre-orders are being made and come the 21st, the lines shall form. Profits will be made. 

So, now i wonder: what if we decided as individuals to not need to prove anything to anyone? What if we just plowed on, totally confident in ourselves and abilities? What if we all just decided to.. how do i put this eloquently... F***k the haters? It seems once again Apple is showing us the way. 

Siri, how do i f**k the haters?

The Fear.

Nothing that ever changed the world happened in a comfort zone. Even Newton took a risk by sitting under the apple tree on a windy day. Risk fascinates us. It lures us. But we fear it.

Mafia capos have such a reputation because they take risks everyday that present life threatening hazards. But it's their seeming immunity to the fear of retribution that comes along with it that we eulogize. "What the worst could happen? i could get whacked... it's a possibility, but i'm okay wth that." And once you're okay with that, nothing else seems really threatening.

Many of us long to be equally brave and in control of our own destinies. But we're stranded by fear. Nothing as profound as death. No. Things more important. Like... the fear of losing the monthly salary, for example. The fear of what society thinks - and sometimes society consists of your boys and the girl you're dating), and of course the fear of failure. And those are just a few of many. So we stay in our comfort zones too scared to move.

But like a baby that lets go of her walker for the first time, could mastering our fear be the key to discovering our purest potential? I don't know. But i'm certain comfort zones kill. Even yours.

You okay with that?

 

Did you see it coming?

I wonder whether you knew? Did the doctors tell you? Were you aware how long you had left? Did you decide to keep going regardless? We will never know. But we will never forget. 

Sometimes i didnt think you really fit in. i found you too calm, too quiet. Very unlike the politicians we are used to. I wondered whether this was a game you should be playing. But you did.

Sometimes i wonder whether you were under pressure. Whether the people around you allowed you to be the President you wanted to be. But it is what it is.

We can only hope that those who come after you will love this nation and hold her interests as closely to their hearts as you did.

i do not know why you didnt resign and rest. Put your health first. Decide to place your interests first. But whatever reasons you have, i hope the ride was worth it.

You gave this nation your dying breath and for that nobody will ever be able to deny your dedication. You were a gentleman and you stayed true to your nature till the very end.

RIP sir. it's finally over.

 

Another customer service cow.

Dear JM, the woman who answers your phone is a cow. Let's just get that out of the way.

On Wednesday, i sent my car to Japan Motors in Tema to get the windscreen replaced. This customer service lady said it'd be ready the next day. On thursday afternoon, she casually informs me that they realized they didnt have windscreens to put on the car so they had to get one from the Accra office. By the time it came it was 4pm and "we had closed". On friday she says it'll be ready by midday. Meanwhile she is unable to give me a bill before midday. Cool.

At 3pm she calls me to say the estimated price has shot up by over 50% percent. Why? "It's not our fault. The dollar." I'm not even mad because i know i'm getting my car back that evening. She says i should send someone to pick up the car and hurry up because they will close soon. Now i'm the one holding the process back? Cool. I send someone over to go and pick up the car in tema.

At 4:15 she calls to say that they have found leakages in the windscreen and hence the car is not ready. So the person shouldnt come and the car will have to stay over becase they cant fix it.They cant fix it "because it's past 4 and we have closed" and "we dont work on weekends".

I suggest that since i've been so inconvenienced and someone is already half way there they could at least spare a few more minutes to finish with my car, She responds "i dont know who will stay here to do that job because we live far away in Accra...". 

This morning i call her - note, i had to call her - and she says, (and this is word for word) "i was even trying to call you... the car would have been ready by now, but when they took it to the washing bay someone used something to hit it..." i exclaim... "yes, it's not serious, someone just used their car to hit the back so we have even decided to fix it for you that's why it's taking time."

And that is how i was informed of the damage to my car. When i asked her to put me thru to a more senior (read intelligent) person, she got offended. Ha!

Anyways, the car wasnt bashed by another car, it had picked up a scratch from someone's carelessness which they were fixing. I'm calm till i see it tomorrow. But the point is, there are obviously more sensible and sensitive staff. So why is this twit the interface between you and your customers?