Ben Kay on why context matters
With so many options for where your ad might sit today, it can be hard to predict the context of how the audience will see it. But, as Ben Kay points out, this info can be vital for how you make it
The big questions for advertising and creativity during and after coronavirus
The Covid-19 pandemic is throwing up an awful lot of questions for creatives. It may seem difficult to find the answers, but as Ben Kay points out in this column, maybe acknowledging all the questions is a good start in these difficult times
On the power of the advertising double whammy
Advertising often focuses on one of two things: a specific message about a product, or a wider piece of long-term branding. But, says Ben Kay, the holy grail comes when you can achieve both in one campaign
A rough set of rules for great advertising
All creative pursuits benefit from guidelines for best practice, if only so they can be broken. Here our advertising correspondent Ben Kay turns to his LinkedIn companions to help construct some for marketing
Predictions for a new decade: Ben Kay
To mark the start of the 2020s, we’ve asked a selection of our regular writers and columnists to offer up some predictions of what lies ahead for the creative industries. Here, our advertising correspondent Ben Kay hopes for a creative renaissance in marketing
Ben Kay on why you should start your own agency
Our advertising correspondent, Ben Kay, has recently launched his own agency, Invincible Unicorn. Here, he takes us through his experiences so far, both positive and negative
Remembering Paul Silburn
Paul Silburn, renowned copywriter and veteran of agencies including BBH, Leo Burnett, TBWA, and Saatchi & Saatchi, passed away last week. Here, colleague and friend Ben Kay reflects on his life and his work
Is democracy always good for creativity?
It has become fashionable for agencies and studios to offer everyone a chance to share their views on projects – but does this make for better creative work? Our advertising correspondent Ben Kay is skeptical
Why it pays to give your all to all you do
Our advertising correspondent Ben Kay reflects on the unexpected opportunities that can come your way in a career, and why it’s important to always bring your A-game to all you do
Why words are vital to advertising
Copy can often be overlooked in advertising in favour of the seduction of images. But in fact they are a creative’s most powerful weapon, argues Ben Kay
What’s the big idea?
Our advertising correspondent Ben Kay examines what it takes to generate great ad ideas, and the value (or not) of going into the office at 2am
What do we mean when we talk about the craft of copywriting?
CR’s advertising correspondent Ben Kay muses on the crafting of copy for ads and the role this has in the wider creation of a campaign