The case for radical popularism in advertising
The advertising industry turns its nose up at popular creative approaches such as jingles or celebrities in favour of ‘brave originality’. But, asks Ben Kay, is it shooting itself in the foot?
A change at the top
Those leading ad agencies today are taking increasingly unconventional paths to the top and often emerging via the worlds of design and film. It is a change for the better, says our advertising correspondent Ben Kay
A golden era for poster advertising?
Often seen as old-fashioned, print and poster advertising is enjoying something of a renaissance. Our ad correspondent Ben Kay examines what might be driving the change
Why we should all be promoting creative brilliance
When Ben Kay discovered that Fernando Machado, CMO of Burger King, was tweeting about copywriting, he was impressed, and wondered why creatives aren’t doing the same
Do advertising creatives need a union?
As the ad industry moves increasingly quickly towards a freelance model, our advertising correspondent Ben Kay asks whether it’s time for creatives to unionise
Can great ads come out of difficult times?
With recession and an ongoing pandemic, we are living in fearful times. But, argues our advertising correspondent Ben Kay, these pressures may just result in some outstanding creative work
How Abba and Beyoncé can help you write
Creative inspiration can come from many sources: sometimes it’s best to look far outside your field for new methods of working, writes CR’s ad correspondent Ben Kay
Ben Kay on life, the universe, and advertising
Our ad correspondent Ben Kay finds himself applying the theories of the Big Bang and Big Bounce to advertising and wonders if we’re about to embark on a period of major change
On the creative benefits of boundaries
We’re living in a time of extreme restriction, which is affecting our lives in all ways, including how we work and create. But while this might appear a negative, here our ad correspondent Ben Kay explains the positive benefits that boundaries can bring
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