The Insight
Percipient thought-pieces and opinions from some
of
the world’s most respected industry leaders.
)
Ben Smith, a visual storytelling veteran, Co-Founder and ECD at The Mayda Creative co., explores the cultural tension between authenticity and artifice as he journeys through the artificial landscapes of media production.
Greenhushing or greenshouting: How to market the message of climate catastrophe
As we face up to the alarming realities of climate change, Tracey Lee, Strategic Advisor to Creatives for Climate, answers questions about how the ad industry can put its influence to good use by creating awareness and change without causing panic.
The best brand characters have strings attached
Drawing on her experience creating a brand spokespuppet, Eli Vasiliou, Creative Director at Thinkingbox London, explores why puppets make such memorable advertising characters, and how physical craft, human performance and a little unpredictability give them particular appeal in an age of AI-generated perfection.
The shots Podcast: Best use of claymation
The face-off gets crafty in tribute to World Play-Doh Day, as Co-Editors Danny Edwards and Jamie Madge choose their top five clay-animated ads and pop promos.
Be more Bosch: Why marketing needs more emotion
Making people feel something is the aim of both art and advertising but, says Annie Harte, Audience Strategy Lead at eight&four, the latter usually relies on highlighting one specific emotion; happiness. So, what if advertisers embraced the approach of 15th century artist Hieronymus Bosch, and targeted the gamut of human emotions?
Is craft becoming a luxury good?
Justine Armour, International Chief Creative Officer, at 72andSunny talks us through the complexity of crafting ads, and how we can learn to take our time with perfecting the art.
Natural is a production choice: What child performers reveal about authenticity
Drawing on his experience supporting a young family member’s acting career, Toronto-based writer, filmmaker and independent researcherJoshua W.J. Brown argues that authentic child performances depend not on the absence of production, but on more thoughtful casting, temperament, direction and expectations.
Awards and altruism: How adland decides where to give away its creativity
As charities fight harder for funding and agencies harder for an audience’s time and attention, what makes a cause worth saying yes to? Jonathan Grant looks at whether pro bono work can only thrive if it’s good for everyone involved.
The necessity of choice
TJ Sponzo, newly appointed as Commercial Director at Electric Theatre Collective, explores what a 60-year-old French film made of still photographs can teach us about advertising, at a time when AI is reducing the need for creative decision-making.