Job-Hunting Do’s And Don’ts. Mostly Don’ts.

By francis-adminArticles, brand marketing, BUSINESS, Communications, General Biz, Humor, Miscellaneous, Rants

My agency has an opening for an art director, and I’ve placed an online Help Wanted ad which includes one non-negotiable prerequisite: “Previous Ad Agency experience absolutely required.” Here’s a very brief (and verbatim) sampling of the responses I’ve received: “I am a graduating senior in college that is looking for a part time career … Read More

From A Camel To A Racehorse? Almost.

By francis-adminBUSINESS, THE AGENCY, Work

There’s an old ad-biz saying I’ve been repeating ever since I first heard it in 1991: “What’s a camel? It’s a racehorse designed by committee.” That came to mind when my longtime friend (and occasional client) Jeff Roberts told me he needed an ad celebrating Tractor & Equipment’s 75th year in business — and all the people … Read More

When Clients Won’t Listen

By FrancisBUSINESS, Communications, General Biz

Several years ago, I was at lunch with a buddy who posed a question I’d stopped asking in the late-80’s. Namely, “Why is radio in Birmingham so bad?” The broad answer is, “Because radio everywhere is bad.” That said, this is not a Bash-Birmingham-Radio column. There are plenty of good people working in commercial radio. And … Read More