The best of 2008 - Subramaniapuram

Tamil cinema finally came of age this year. With a time machine called Subramaniapuram. In my opinion, that was the best flick of 2008. Probably, across all languages in India. (And that's not a tall claim for sure.) To all those who haven't watched it, my humble request would be, catch it now.

Here's why I think it scores above all else:
It's a debut feature, yet looks like it is crafted by a seasoned master of cinema
It's shorn of cliches that haunt Indian cinema
It's fabulously written, beautifully shot
The movie is devoid of big stars
It's set in the '80s and the director does complete justice to that time period
The picture-perfect portrayal of the opening day of a Rajnikant movie
The director's attention to detail
The seemingly casual way violence is depicted
The way each character has been detailed out
Music
Story
Brilliance

Posted by Murali

A Link A Day # 13: Logo Trends 2008

Every year, the pundits at Logo Lounge study thousands of logos and decipher common trends in logo design. This year, the key observations were as follows:

• There's less emphasis on sustainability or general "greenness" in logo design. There's plenty of natural imagery, but being "green" doesn't seem all that unique anymore.
• Colors are becoming more vivid. Desaturation has drained away, and the chroma factor pumped up.
• There's an overall move toward cleanliness - in type, in line, in color - as if ideas are getting more and more succinct. It may be an indication of the degree of seriousness with which branding is now regarded.
• Less is more common: less calligraphy, less Photoshop tricks, less artificial highlights.
• Found pattern and illustration hang on and on and on. With a bottomless treasure chest of visual history constantly at the ready through retail collections and over the internet, it's a direction that's not likely to run its course soon, if ever.

Apart from these general insights, Logo Lounge has tried capture 15 new genres that logo designers are embracing. I found it interesting. Hope it tickles you too.

Posted by Anantha.

"The Coorg has left the building"

She's the one whose pad we head to when the primal need to party presents itself.

This special person makes our office, or to the very least our birthdays much sweeter.

One wonders how she manages to do it??? (3 hints how: CAKE, CAKE and more CAKE)

A social animal by day, and a party animal by night.

A fun loving, out going, out spoken, out standing Coorg chick…

Who we all have come to know and love.

The chick that we're all a little ticked off at for leaving, at the moment.

But bad news never picks a good time to show up.

So 3 cheers for the little plant at Orchard, that never ceases to give (she's in fact the youngest one here).

God bless you, Tulsi.

May you grow exponentially and enjoy continual success in the road ahead.

Do try, to not let your old friendships wilt away. And remember us, will ya?

Cause we sure as heck will miss you.

Wish you all the best. Goodbye and good luck.

Posted by Shane.

A Link A Day # 12: Mental Floss Guitar Lessons

Mental Floss has been featuring a weekly series of video lessons on how to learn to play a guitar. From buying the right guitar to studying chord charts, everything is explained in concise 5 minute capsules. For those who came in late, 10 lessons have already been posted, and more will be up every Monday. So, learn boy, learn.

Posted by Anantha.

Spot of the Week: Waterslide

Should have posted this, last month. I know, I am a little late. But it's a wonderful spot. Couldn't resist sharing it with ya...



Agency: BBH. Producer: Gorgeous. Director: Peter Thwaites. For more on the spot, go here.

Posted by Commercialbreaker.

A Link A Day # 11: 62 Photoshop tricks

If you didn't know how to: a) make a realistic looking tattoo b) create smoke using photoshop c) colorize black & white images d) make web buttons, then here's a link that will make you an expert in a matter of minutes. And if you did know, you can always create your own 101 and share your knowledge on this blog.

Posted by Anantha.

Lights, Camera and Action for Meera Coconut Oil

After 4 months of work - which included a series of concept presentations, truckloads of script narration, analysis, deliberation and a final call to action, the Meera Coconut Oil film finally got shot on 23rd and 24th in Chennai.

The shoot crew had an interesting mix of people. It's directed by Karu Palaniappan, who is an upcoming, young and popular feature filmmaker in Tamil. Having directed Parthiban Kanavu, Sivapadhigaaram and Pirivom Sandhipom, Palaniappan brought in a feature-filmy take to the script. Incidentally, this will be his first independent ad film.

The Producer, Prabhakar who runs Brand Box Office had roped in Thiru, the ace cameraman for the project. He, according to me, can take this ad film to the next level. Apart from shooting loads of ads, he has helmed the camera for Hey Ram, Bhool Bhulaiya and Abhay. His next big venture is Robot with Rajnikant. But to get a glimpse of his talent, one needs to watch the much acclaimed Priyadarshan feature 'Kanchivaram' which has got rave reviews at the Toronto Film Festival.

Since the director and the DOP have a feature film background, the set too reeked of stories from Bollywood and Kollywood. Here are some interesting snippets:

1) Tamil cinema is facing a dearth of good screenplay writers. Today, mostly the directors write the screenplay / script themselves. So guys, if you have a story and the knack of writing screenplay, you know where to head.

2) Asin has started refusing big banner offers from the South after Ghajni.

3) PC Sriram (Thiru trained under him), once came at 10 in the morning for an ad film shoot and walked out at 10.15 because some miniscule detail in the set wasn't up to the mark. And he came back the next day to resume shooting, since that had wrecked his mood.

4) Nayanthara, the South bombshell carries a scissor with her during shoots. Because she always has an altercation with her designer on how short the length of her mini skirt should be. And finally she decides. With her scissors going chop, chop, chop.

Okie, I have digressed a bit. Just that I thought some filmy gossip can inject some mirth to your monday morning.

Nonetheless, as far as the Meera film goes, you guys should be able to catch it on Tamil channels by the second week of January.

Have a nice day.

Posted by Murali

Garma Garam Gossip Edition # 2

• The senior management in the Blue Danube Composer company has been hit by the recession blues. Heads have started to roll.
• The Red Gem conmen and the Frigid Spice agency have swapped a dairy & an ice cream account.
• The Patak’s Agency is on the prowl looking for a CD.
• The Robotic hero will pocket 25 crores while the Ashen faced heroine may get a paycheck of 7 crores.
• But the big juice is the Daily Toy has quietly sent home 1400 people.

Posted by Loose Tongue.

A Link A Day # 10: Is abstract art all cock?

Abstract art is the step child of mockery. It often gets the stick for being what it is. That's why artist Keith Garrow's riposte to the ridicule came as a breath of fresh air. Go read.

Posted by Anantha.

A Link A Day # 9: Friedman's Observation

Thomas 'The-World-is-Flat' Friedman has drawn a rather interesting comparison between America and General Motors. In an Op-Ed in NY Times, he writes:

"We’ve fallen into a trend of diverting and rewarding the best of our collective I.Q. to people doing financial engineering rather than real engineering. These rocket scientists and engineers were designing complex financial instruments to make money out of money — rather than designing cars, phones, computers, teaching tools, Internet programs and medical equipment that could improve the lives and productivity of millions.

For all these reasons, our present crisis is not just a financial meltdown crying out for a cash injection. We are in much deeper trouble. In fact, we as a country have become General Motors — as a result of our national drift. Look in the mirror: G.M. is us."

For the full article, go visit the venerable NYT.

Posted by Anantha.

The Best Hindi Jingle Ever

The best hindi jingle ever, according to me, was the one written by Sahir Ludhianvi for Guru Dutt's Pyaasa. Composed by SD Burman and sung by Mohammad Rafi, Sar jo tera chakraye tries plugging an oil massage by Johnny Walker. Why I love it is:



a) The song has a single-minded brand proposition: Lakh Dukhon ki Ek Dava.
b) The target audience is clearly defined - people burdened with head aches and heart breaks.
c) As the product claims to make people feel lighter, the treatment of the song is suitably light-hearted.
d) The performance of Johnny Walker is a little over-the-top, in tune with the rather tall brand claim.
e) The product mention happens twice in the very beginning.
f) And above all, what a memorable tune and cleverly woven lyrics. Naukar ho ya maalik, leader ho ya public, apne aage sabi jukhe hain kya raja kya sainik. Could you better that? I bet my opinionated ass that no Prasoon or Piyush can match this.

Posted by Anantha.

A Link A Day # 8: Lee Clow's Interview

"All I know is that a lot of people kid themselves by moving to too many jobs and then find themselves going out of the business when they’re 35 years old because they’ve compromised and jumped around for money and for the wrong reasons. The only reason you should move to a new job is if you are not getting the opportunity to do what you want to do and what you believe you can do. You need to look around. Are there teachers here? Am I learning things? Am I getting the opportunities I need? If you feel you’ll never accomplish anything more there, you have to move. But don’t move because somebody else will you give you more money. Money has to be the last criteria. Because ultimately, if you are doing great work, the money will come."

That's Lee Clow, the ad legend who's stayed in the same agency for decades. For more of his pearls, this is where you should go.

Posted by Anantha.

Bhagyada Lakshmi Baarama

This clip is from an old Rajkumar flick. The debate is whether such a product / brand (Ananda) existed. Harti, the local Kannada guru claims it didn't. It was just a part of the movie (Bhagyada Lakshmi Baarama), which had a corporate ad story woven into it.

Sagar claims otherwise. Says Ananda as a brand existed long ago. And if this is true, this is a cool, retro in-film advertising effort.

What's your take?

Posted by Murali

A Link A Day # 7: 22 Classic Commercials

It's Christmas time and I am in a mighty generous mood. I've found a magic button that lets you watch 22 commercials in one go without waiting for the net to keep pace. At least 16 of these are gems. My favourite is the Fedex spot with John Moschitta. There's even the Hai Karate spot that might have inspired Axe. Watch it all over here.

Posted by Anantha.

A Link A Day # 6: The Fight

DDB has unleashed a new Matrix-clone-fight style commercial for Volkswagen Golf. Directed by Ivan Zacharias (remember Stunt City?), this spot was art directed by an Indian named Shishir Patel.
I like it. Hope you do.

Posted by Anantha.

A Link A Day # 5: Shailesh Khandeparkar

Shailesh Khandeparkar is a young illustrator who seized the world's attention with his stunning work for WWF. The work made it to the hallowed D&AD Annuals in 2007 and 2008. I can't think of many Indians who've pulled this off. If you haven't seen his booty, take a peek here.

Posted by Anantha.

Will AR Rahman make it to the Academy’s list this year?

Going by the trend, he should. Because his score for Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated for the Golden Globe. And the winners and nominees at the Globes do have a fair chance of making it to the Oscar's list of probables.

What do you think?

Posted by Murali

Tulsi's farewell party at Koshy's

A Link A Day # 4: How to Kill an Idea

Fuel, the Lisbon based ad agency, has done a fun campaign for Show Off. I dunno what Show Off is into. But the campaign will strike a deep chord with most creative people. Go catch it here. Point to be noted: If you observe the campaign, you'll catch the Fuel key number in every ad. Was it done on purpose?

Posted by Anantha.

Orchard loses the flavour of Coorg

She’s everything you’d expect from a Coorg girl. Tough. Resilient. Hard-working. Driven. Fun. And charming. She was the favourite in Studio. Go-getter amongst Servicing. Peace of mind for Creative. And the toast at Orchard parties.

Let’s put our hands together for Tulsi, ladies and gentlemen. This lady has put her blood, sweat and smiles for Orchard and has decided to move on.

As we wish her all the best for the next assignment, let’s also add that no matter where she goes, we’ll still hit her home for those crazy after-office parties. Got it, Tulsi?

Goodbye from all of us.

Rock on.

Posted by Murali

You call it a pitch when…

Suits try to crack the brief for a week
Creative work starts exactly 3 days before the pitch
The AE takes food order for night work
Creative Director says, “Guys, we need path-breaking stuff!”
Groggy eyed look becomes all too common
The low-lying account guy puts together 160 slides
The branch head rehearses the presentation in mind
The jet-setting CEO flies in and changes the presentation
Nine times out of ten, the PPT refuses to start just before the pitch
You hear the familiar ‘The pitch went off really well’ in the end

Posted by Murali

Spot of the Week: Electrabel 2009

Client: Electrabel, Belgium. Agency: Famous, Brussels. Production Company: Czar Brussels/Rabbit New York. Director: Raf Wathion. Trivia: This effect has been achieved with 300,000 candles. Watch stills here.

Posted by Commercial Breaker.

Garma Garam Gossip Edition # 1

The agency that Ogles is rumoured to have lost a 7-crore client in Delhi. They say it’s the client with the motto.

The Dancing Hand agency has issued the pink slips to 4 people in Chennai.

The Amby agency is still hunting for a CD in Bangalore & Chennai.

Posted by Loose Tongue.

A Link A Day # 3: Free read of Hopkins

Claude Hopkins, the advertising pioneer who invented test marketing & coupon sampling, is a revered figure among those who know. He passed away in 1932 after penning two great tomes for ad folks who follow him - My Life in Advertising and Scientific Advertising. If you've never had a chance to read his works, then go here. Read both the books. For free.

Posted by Anantha.

A Link A Day # 2: What piqued Ridley Scott

When Walter Parks, the head of Dreamworks, wanted to get Ridley Scott interested in doing Gladiator, he gave him the bound script. And a painting titled Pollice Verso (by French artist Jean-Leon Jerome). Scott took one look at the painting and said YES without even reading the script. So what was the piece of art that piqued the ace director? See it for yourself.

Posted by Anantha.

A Link A Day # 1 - Mangaattha Matteru

I knew teen-patti was called Mangaattha in Tamil, but I never knew its etymology. I discovered this and a lot more here. If you're a Peter or Mary who's curious to know the meaning of Laard Labakkdas, Manjaa Soru, Gokka-Makka & Gilfaans, you better odify there.

Posted by Anantha.

How advertising can affect the meltdown.

The meltdown feeds on negative sentiment. It gains in strength every time someone spreads gloom and doom. The only way to fight it is by perception management. This is where advertising can help. We need more campaigns that spread cheer. More commercials that kindle hope. More ads that inspire. More copy with wit. More art with soul. These are the times for stand-up comedians, the jokers and the clowns. So get out your gags and get ready to gag the naysayers.

Posted by Anantha.

How the meltdown will affect advertising.

If the M-word hasn’t entered your vocabulary yet, you probably live in another planet. Or may be you’ve just been plain lucky.Either ways, allow me to spill a national secret: the only reason India hasn’t bombed Pakistan is the domino effect it will have on the Aam Aadmi’s India.

The meltdown has already started wreaking havoc on the advertising industry. Budgets have been slashed. Pay cuts are being contemplated. The bloodbath has begun. Even heads have started to roll.

Is this the end, then? No mate, this is just the beginning. It’s gonna get worse. Now, before you accuse me of scaremongering, I shall analyze the market threadbare and show you why I am bearish about the future...

1. All the IPO-obsessed clients have seen their dreams take a deep tumble. They’ve realized that the life-saving public issue is not going to happen for at least six months. This has caused a funding jam which in turn has resulted in a liquidity crunch. No working capital means, no money to pay suppliers. By definition, that includes ad agencies. Now do yourself a favor. Think of the client list of your ad agency. Jot down the names of those who were talking of an IPO. Make a note of the money they owe you. Safely assume that that money won’t flow in, even after 3 months.

2. I can see that ‘uh-oh’ expression in your face. WAIT. There’s more bad news. One sinking company can drag six other companies down. So a chain of negativity will get transmitted all around. A pall of gloom will pervade the economy and soon even champions of recession advertising will get into a shell. What that means reason will take a backseat and silly sentiment will take over.

3. How does one stay afloat in these choppy waters? Simple. Steal clients from the other agency. And how does one manage this? Under cutting. No brainer, no? So an Agency War will ensue - where the winner will again be the clients.

4. Retainer fees and media commissions will experience a free fall.

5. Clients will use this as an excuse and squeeze even more juice from their agencies. To avoid this squeeze, the account management will become more and more pliant. Therefore pandering will become the official agency policy. Options will rule!

6. With their new found freedom, clients will start dictating the course of their brand. Panic Sales will be announced. Every brand will use this as a recession-busting tactic. Jaw dropping discounts will become the order of the day. Expect more 70% offs.

7. Those sagacious clients who’ve saved for a rainy day, will be the only ones with any money to do commercials. Even they will be tempted to ask for shorter durations, lower budgets and harder working TVCs.

8. Celebrity endorsement contracts will be reviewed. Most celebrities will face the hatchet.

9. Lack of celebrities will force the client to be more alert about the scripts they approve. Some edgy scripts that never found expression might find takers. To me, that’s the BIG NEWS. Wouldn’t all you hungry buggers want a good low-budget film on your show reel? If you’ve always wanted some nice films, then 2009 will be your year.

10. The sad bit is, even though you might make some good films you will never be able to enter the films for awards as the awards budget will be pared. The upside is, Ad Clubs will be forced to lower the entry fee to attract more entries.

11. Without awards, what does one do? The pitch will be your new saviour. More pitches will happen in 2009 to find agency suitors who are willing to charge lesser. So your portfolio is bound to look great.

12. And which categories are bound to see more pitches? Condoms (as people have more sex to bust stress), Underwear (everyone has to wear them), Indian government banks (as they will never collapse), Fuel Efficient Cars and Bikes, Astrologers, Shrinks, Lawyers, Agarbattis, Pain relievers, Yoga Classes, Hospitals (stress related diseases will experience a spike) and FMCGs that use celebrities. Value brands in all these categories will rock.

13. Lastly, the meltdown will consume many small agencies. Mergers will become the preferred survival strategy.

I’ll leave it at the ominous 13 as I want you to worry more. After all, it’s a question of our survival.

Posted by Anantha

How do they do it together?

Before your imagination runs wild, let me quickly stop you.
Because I’m referring to the celluloid magic that the Coen Brothers manage to create together.
They think together. Write the script together. Direct together. (And of course, share the laurels together.)
Wondering how that’s possible?

Click on the link below and figure out how they create magic. Together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLbelyl7UxI

Posted by Murali

Youtube Gems: World's first viral film?

Electrocuting an Elephant was filmed by Thomas Alva Edison in 1903. Wikipedia gives us a little background on the film: Topsy (born circa 1875, died January 4, 1903), was a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Coney Island's Luna Park. Because she had killed three men in as many years (including a severely abusive trainer who attempted to feed her a lit cigarette), Topsy was deemed a threat to people by her owners and killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903. Inventor Thomas Edison captured the event on film. He would release it later that year under the title Electrocuting an Elephant.

A means of execution initially discussed was hanging. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protested and other ways were considered. Edison then suggested electrocution with alternating current, which had been used for the execution of humans since 1890.

To reinforce the execution, Topsy was fed carrots laced with 460 grams of potassium cyanide before the deadly current from a 6,600-volt AC source was sent coursing through her body. She was dead in seconds.The event was witnessed by an estimated 1,500 people and Edison's film of the event was seen by audiences throughout the United States.

The reason why I feel it's the world's first viral is the hidden persuasion aspect of this film. Apparently, animal executions was a strategy used by Edison to discredit alternating current as an unsafe electricity system for powering homes. This film strengthened his case for the Edison Power Company's Direct Current (DC).

Posted by Anantha.

The Bullshit Interview with Dabitch

The Bullshit Interview is an interview with a twist. The idea is to shoot unexpected queries at ad people and see how well they bullshit their way out of it. The first soul on Earth who's volunteered to take the interview is the one and only Dabitch.

Dabitch - or as her passport reads, Åsk Wäppling - is the founder of Adland the commercial archive, obsessively collecting ads since 1996 hosting the worlds largest superbowl collection. She likes turtles, cats, Vespas and hates walks on the beach. An art director by day and maverick ad-commentator by night - when she's not at her computer she's likely dead. Now let's see how she fared...

How do you explain art direction to a blind man?
The same way I explain music to a deaf person and the female orgasm to a man. I let them feel it.

Why do women like pink?
Why do men assume that we do? Women don't like pink. Little girls like pink. The two shouldn't be confused else you might end up in jail.

If a good friend of yours won a Cannes Grand Prix for a plagiarized ad, would you carry that scoop in your blog?
Yes of course, unlike my good friends in advertising my website has actually been with me for the past twelve years. Ad-pals come and go. Tossers.

But seriously, I'd point the similarities out but I could only prove plagiarism if I was there when they used tracing paper on top of the other ad. We all know this doesn't happen (well, it probably did in this case) - ideas do pop up in two peoples heads independent of one another. People do build on things that they have seen in real life. Coincidences do happen. Scam ads, knowingly competing with an ad that no client has ever approved - are a much bigger sin than accidental similarities between two different campaigns in my book. It's like being a steroid body builder competing against a natural body builder. I know that I began Adland by only talking about Badland ads (that is coincidental and similar ideas) but I don't think people copy on purpose as often as people seem to think, I think that similar ads happen when lazy creatives don't push to the next level and execute the very first decent idea that they thought of - which just happens to be the very first decent idea another creative team thought of for another client across the globe. Also there's been quite a few "OMG PLAGIARISM" yelled at people when they simply use the same new media as another campaign, as if every poster in the world communicates the same exact idea. You have to recognize what the idea is in each ad, and please remember that it's not the font, not the media and not the tone of voice that is the idea – they just communicate the idea. They're the execution.

Having said all that I still think it's fun to show twin ads when they happen, even if by accident, just because it's kinda freaky. Like we all share the same brain. Maybe we do?

Also, there's been more than one story where a large brand takes interest in non commercial artists work, and then creates a commercial or similar which is heavily influenced by said work and not a penny goes to the artists for this free inspiration. If a photographer, animator, illustrator or musician is the perfect fit for your advert at least have the decency of hiring the people you're ripping off. Here rip-off means something else.

What's your conspiracy theory on why Neil French started the World Press Awards?
He wanted to see his name in print more often.

If you were to be reborn as a font, which font would you choose to be? And why?
Helvetica. Classically stylish, discreet, versatile, and annoyingly every-damn-where you can't escape me!

What are the three things you will change about Luerzer's Archive if you were made its editor?
Format, paper, website.

If you were to do an ad campaign for the Mumbai Terrorists, what would be your communication strategy?
For media, I'd definitely use guerrilla.

Why is Thai advertising wacky?
Same reason the Thai people are. Too much Sambal Oelek makes you a little unpredictable. They've exported this national feature to The Netherlands where it takes on a new form as it's mellowed out by smoke. All hail Sambal Oelek, the best thing since the birth of chili itself.

If ad agencies were movie titles, what would the apt choice be for a)Crispin Porter Bogusky b) Kessels Kramer c) Wieden+Kennedy?
a) The Dark Knight
b) The Incredibles
c) The Matrix

Which is the most over-hyped campaign of 2008?
Crispin Porter’s VW Routan campaign with Brooke Shields. They missed the funny by half a mile. Runner up: The Whopper Virgins campaign and all other Crispin campaigns - they had a terrible year where they seemed to go out of their way to offend people rather than amuse.

The D-List of Advertising Reality

Deadline – The final time / date for accepting a piece of work.
The Truth – An elastic time zone which ends up getting stretched or snapped.

Director – The person with whom the agency works closely to direct their TVC.
The Truth – Someone who twists your script under the pretext of ‘lifting it to the next level’.

D&AD – Design and Art Direction (D&AD formerly known as British Design & Art Direction) is a British educational charity which exists to promote excellence in design and advertising. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Truth – If you’ve got it, be prepared to be worshipped.

Doodle – A type of sketch, an unfocused drawing made while a person's attention is otherwise occupied. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Truth – An art perfected by the agency and client during presentations.

December – The last month of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
The Truth – Scam. Scam. Scam. Scam. And more Scam.

Posted by Murali

Breakin in my brand new shoes.

Story about a Journey from K to B (Kamanahalli to Brigades).

So there they were lying on my couch, still in a box, with a bunch of clothes piled on top. Took em' out. Slipped em' on and went "Daaaaaamn! These things are comfortable." God bless Reebok!

The bike has been surrendered for a service. So i'm thinkin, I should put these lazy legs to work. More than the work they put in to facilitate tasty trips to the fridge.

"Hey you know what you should walk to brigades!", I said to myself in the mirror. To which my reflection promptly nodded in approval. The little hand on the clock tells me it's 8:45. So i'm Brigade bound and thinkin...Really? You haven’t walked in like.....like....you can’t even remember how long? An argument with myself that ends with, Cummon', let’s put some miles in these bad boys, let’s see how far they'll go!

Ah! The joy of being 24, our bodies can get away with anything. So i'm half way there and all of a sudden a drizzlelette is upon me, that's like the midget of drizzles, the smallest one in the rain family that got picked on a lot. The most famous member of the rain family being a quirky looking chap that stars on the Hit Show 'The Office' and goes by the name of Rain Wilson. You know him, he's the weird-funny one they call 'Dwight'.

But a little drizelette and a drippy nose ain't gona rain on my parade. I had made up my mind, it was brigade or bust. If the word bust would come into play, it would only be the KFC crusty, delicious, deep fried kind.

Walked up to the counter and ordered the monster of Meal Combos...The King Kong Combo. Scarfed it down in 10 min flat. Talk about finger lickin' good. Well, that combined with nail-biting anticipation leads to...... Let's just say that, I now possess only 9 and a 1/2 fingers. Yep, fraid' so.

Incinerated some serious calories on the way there, but made up for the loss in calories, by wolfing down that monstrous Combo. But fret not, I didn’t stop there, I walked some more...digested my meal on foot.

These ‘New’ Shoes took one sweaty fella from The Big Bright Brigades to Shivaji Nagar. Yep, these shoes were meant for walkin, and that’s just what they did.

You should try it sometime; it’s an excellent way of relieving stress, and spending the next week recuperating in a wheel chair. If you aren’t as lucky as me. But who cares? Go for it. You’ll be glad you did.

Well, I can safely say that I got rid of that blasted new shoe smell, quite successfully.

I must confess however, that I can no longer do the bunny hop.

Posted by Shane

Why should everybody advertise?

TV, press, outdoor, radio, posters, internet, ambient ideas…these usual suspects show up in every media plan to a potential client. Makes me wonder, where is the creativity in our job? Even if you train a chimpanzee to be a media planner it would have thrown up the same options. How are we different? Why should the lead medium for all brands be either TV or press? Who said outdoor is a reminder medium? Who dinned into our heads that ambient media is not scalable? Can't a brand be built purely with posters? Why should viral always be one more activity to get eyeballs? Why can't it be the medium? Who stopped us from imagining new media? It's time, we put on our thinking cap.

Posted by Anantha