Reality #8: Everyone else will think they can do your job better.
Everyone who does not work in advertising thinks that advertising is easy and that they can do it too. Not only that, but they can do it better.
The most common type is the “couch potato ad critic”, who critiques ads during the commercial breaks of his/her favourite movie, TV show or sporting event. They will use lines such as: “I could have come up with that idea! I can not believe it cost them that much money to make it.” or “Well, you know if I had done the commercial I would have done <insert idea that they think is new and brilliant>.”
The second most common type is the business/financial coke head who thinks advertising is “easy” and less work then his current demanding career. They imagine advertising is just a bunch of parties, brainstorming sessions and free stuff. They usually have an MBA.
April 7, 2008 at 7:52 am
I agree! Just last night two of my roommate’s friends were watching tv with us and they go, “Those sonic commercials are stupid. I could have done better.”
To this I reply…”Well, if you knew about the sonic commericals you would know that they have won countless addys and were also created in your hometown. They have been a solid campaign and brand for a few years now…but you could do better, right?”
April 7, 2008 at 9:55 am
MBA stands for Masterfully Bumbling Asshole in that case and I totally agree on the coke head take. As for our work, I’ve lost count how many times we’ve written about how everyone knows how to make an ad. I’m not saying what we do is rocket science, but that your average fuckwad swears he or she knows better than you is not only insulting but idiotic… pity they also happen to turn out to be clients. Yipee…
April 7, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Our AE’s can’t come to the realization that it takes longer to make a 16 page brochure than it does a 7 x 10 ad. Why can’t you just press “Command M”? When will it be ready? When will it be ready? When will it be ready? Why is there a mistake? Because you interrupted me 10 times and rushed me. Go away.