On My Radar: James Vellacott

What’s the best ad campaign you’ve seen recently?

I really liked the #Springisweird campaign by Gap. It’s an achievable idea that documents a love story and comprises of 12 short films. The films were put out as a series for Instagram and other social platforms. They even placed the shorts on dating websites and apps.

A dating couple are seen trying to understand what is real and what is digital content. Gap highlights the outfits they decide to wear for their encounters in the unpredictable spring weather. This is such a nice idea, and was so relevant to 2015’s real vs. digital culture.

What website(s) do you use most regularly and why?

I’m from a news gathering background and my routing for 20 years has been ‘check the news,’ so I always get a first off morning fix from the BBC news website, if I’m in a hurry then Sky News, as long as you can accept that the facts may not necessarily be how they are reported.

The Mail online is not my favourite site due to its right wing but shallow undertones but it’s a useful window on what’s happening in the world of popular culture. Sometimes an early heads up on what our clients will be asking us for that day.

Lastly, the social networking sites, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram for work, and Facebook if I want to see what my friends are up to.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought and why?

I run my business through my iPhone 6 plus. What a wonderful compromise crossing between as iPad, laptop and phone. It’s not perfectly pocket sized, agreed. But it spends most of it’s time in my office or I carry it round the studios. The odd social night out without my bulky phone is not entirely a bad thing I’m sure you agree.

Oh, and as a big fan of the pencil over a pen, my Swordfish electric pencil sharpener has, in a small way, changed my life for the better.

Facebook, Instagram or Twitter?

For business, my company Twitter and Instagram accounts play a large part of our marketing and company personality.

Personally, I use Facebook as many of my family live abroad and it’s a great way for them to see my little girl growing up.

What’s your favourite app on your phone and why?

My favourite app at the moment is Periscope. What better way to use internet video personally and comment in real time. We have just started using it in the studios, filming all the exciting day to day goings on.

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

Gogglebox. Okay, telly with TV on the face of it sounds like a very cheap shot at a reality TV program, but I have to say this show has me hooked.

It’s got everything, some families are hysterically funny, for example when they gave comment whilst watching an election broadcast. Some moments were quite emotional as it was when the older couple discussed their mortality.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

One flew over the cuckoo’s nest with Jack Nicholson. The perfect balance of comedy, sadness and elation.

Where were you when inspiration last struck?

In the shower. The shower is my thinking space.

What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?

The speed of the digital revolution. It’s like the industrial revolution but 50 times quicker.

If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?

Lunchtimes should go back to being boozy 3 hour breaks (as I missed out on that era!)

What or who has most influenced your career and why?

Colin Shepherd, My boss of 20 years ago. Through his spirit of entrepreneurialism, his enthusiasm for life and his guidance in the early part of my newspaper career he set my life parameters and continues to advise as a great friend.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…

Short of bus fare in the 1980’s, I once spent a drunken night on top of a freezer in a private garage in Oxford, and was arrested for burglary of a frozen Raspberry Pavlova.