Headline Roundup

Duke study: TiVo doesn’t hurt TV advertising – via Triangle Business Journal

Bud Light to Be NFL’s Official Beer – via Wall Street Journal

BBDO Snatches Webby Agency Award – via Adweek

Industry Explores New Compensation Model for Talent – via Ad Age

Headline Roundup

A few recent headlines of interest.

Thanks to Social Media, Direct Marketing Is Going Do-It-Yourself – via Ad Age

4 Reasons to Fire Your Digital Ad Agency – via MarketingVOX

Why Taglines Are Keepers – via Adweek

Headline Roundup

Just because we haven’t done one of these in a while… A few headlines from around the industry:

Local TV, Radio Ad Market Poised To Rebound: May Top $34 Bil By 2014 – via MediaPost

Welcome to the New Normal – via Talent Zoo

Employee Benefits – via Brandweek

Hiring Freeze Starts to Thaw as Agency Business Hunts for Talent – via Ad Age

Just What Is a Creative Director?

Phil Johnson, of PJA Advertising and Marketing, recently published a good piece on the Ad Age Small Agency DiaryWhat the Hell Is a Creative Director Supposed to Be?

An excerpt from Phil’s piece:

I’ve come to the conclusion that the job of creative director is bigger and more important than any one task. Rather than the person with the best ideas, or the person who is the best judge of good work, or the person who can best manage the creative process, a creative director needs to shape the creative brain of the entire agency and build a creative conscience. His influence extends well beyond the creative department. This conviction has made me question many of the traditional expectations for a creative leader.

Take the time to read the entire post on the Small Agency Diary.  It’s a good read for anyone involved in this business.  And, if you feel so inclined, leave him a comment over there as well.

There’s a New Year Coming, But its Going to Take Work

2009 is almost done crumbling to the ground, and that shiny new toy that is 2010 still looks good in the display case.  But before you go thinking that things are going to turn on a dime, take a few minutes to read the latest piece from Bart Cleveland on the Ad Age Small Agency Diary.  In it, he offers some good advice on How to Roll Strong Into 2010, such as:

Communicate. Not much good to talk about? You’re not looking hard enough. Even if it is how great everyone is being in the face of hardship, talk about it in your staff meetings, e-mails, etc.

Walk and talk. The economy can’t kill what makes your agency a great place to work; only you can. It has no effect on your imagination or your will to succeed; only you do. It can’t keep you from smiling, or patting someone on the back. Move around your office and talk to everyone at least once a day.

Take a few minutes and give it a read. You’ll be glad you did.