Lately, I’ve been deep into the interview process. The two places I’ve interviewed so far are very digital agencies. This is difficult, because in my portfolio program, the majority of the work we do is traditional. Additionally it is difficult, because I love traditional in this ever-growing digital world.

Look, digital is great, and I can’t wait to expand my writing into digital space. Doing so will add real value to my book and of course valuable experience. But damn it, I WANT TO KEEP CREATING TRADITIONAL PRINT ADS! It is a rush, and I don’t care how unbelievable that statement is. I feel like I’m straight out of the 1960’s when I’m concepting for a print ad: hard-hitting headlines, and a killer tagline.

At this point in my career, working for a digital agency is necessary and what I want to do. I just hope traditional doesn’t think I have abandoned her. I will always love her, and when the time is right, I will return to her. I just hope she will be waiting for me when I need her back in my life. I do understand though, I can’t just expect her to wait. I need to earn her love again.

Until then, here is a haiku for traditional advertising:

Oh sexy print ad,

With your headlines and tagline,

Never change. You’re perfect.

Yes, a 13- minute commercial, produced by the Brooklyn Brother’s and Ridley Scott’s production company for Jaguar. But who is going to sit and watch a 13-minute commercial? Me, and I was entertained the whole time.

This spot is unique in many ways. First off, it is extremely long. Long spots are a rarity, and I’m just talking about a 2-minute spot. A 13-minute spot is just absurd, but not too absurd for Jaguar. Which brings me to my next point: it’s expensive. But who cares for Jaguar. They have a crap-load of money.

The spot is simply just well made. It is like a mini episode of a hit TV drama. And best of all, they bring in hit character of a hit drama: Damian Lewis from Homeland.

What I find incredible about this short film, is that they still manage to endlessly show the car, and list off all the features without making it corny. It’s simple, Damian just has to prove who he is by listing the features at gun point.

In 13 minutes, a full story takes place with Jaguar as the protagonist. Brooklyn Brother’s and Ridley Scott’s Production company have done a brilliant job.

Wieden + Kennedy copywriters are spoiled. Especially when it comes to the work on Old Spice. I envy those bastards, because Old Spice would be such an incredible brand to write for. You just have to be able to think weird, and I love thinking weird!

Wieden continues to produce amazing spots for Old Spice, which have become some of the most memorable commercials out right now. They are so memorable, that I would be embarrassed to say that they were my favorites at an interview. Everyone probably says that. That being said, I don’t mention the Old Spice commercials at interviews. But I can’t keep it in anymore… I love those commercials! I want to have an Old Spice commercial marathon. I want to learn to quote each commercial by heart. Yes I do pretend to be the “I’m on a horse” guy while in the shower. I think it’s a wonderful idea to leave inspirational notes under my armpit. But it’s because I love these commercials so much, that I grow incredibly jealous. I want to write for them! I want to be on that creative team so I can unleash the crazy writing beast inside of me.

But such accomplishments, at this point, do not seem likely. Instead I have to sit back and watch while Wieden produces commercials for the new Old Spice Bar Soap. OLD SPICE BAR SOAP! Brilliant. That is seriously about to take the world by storm, and I don’t get to be a part of it. The closest I can get to being on that account, is lathering up in the shower. Congratulations Wieden + Kennedy, I resent you.

Yesterday I was asked to participate in a creative panel for the Intro to Creativity class.

It was supposed to be designed to help those worried sophomores who were applying to the creative program feel at ease, but it was me who got the real benefit out of it.

What was great about this panel was that I was able to verbalize my thoughts about my creative process. Saying it out loud was important for me to realize how I am approaching my creative work. Based off the questions that were asked, I was able to talk about whether or not I was enjoying myself, do I freak out when I get writer’s block, what it’s like working with a partner, etc. Though I knew the answers to these for myself, saying it out loud helped confirm that I love being a copywriter. Working with a great art director is awesome, I watch great TV when I get writer’s block, and I sure as hell do enjoy writing.

I could never see myself doing anything else anymore, because what could I possibly make money doing that I enjoy as much as this? There’s nothing. Copywriting for life, that is, until I become a creative director. But that’s a while down the road.

Thank you naïve children, for helping confirm that I’m doing what I love.

So far in my short copywriting career, I’ve only pitched to two clients: Buddha’s Brew Kombucha, and the Kelly Davidson Pediatric Cancer Foundation. These two very different clients provided two very different experiences.

The Buddha’s Brew owner was the sweetest lady every. Everything we showed her, she was blown away by. She would say “wow” or “I love it” all the time. You would think we just presented her with the best campaign ever with all the praise she gave us. That was clearly not the case, since we didn’t even win the business. Instead we just got a t-shirt and a good amount of free Kombucha. Whatever, I grew to like Kombucha enough to make our waste of time worth it.

Writing for a non profit like the Kelly Davidson Foundation was a bitch, and the pitch was no easier. First of all, we planned our entire presentation to be pitched to 2 people. Two was who we originally met with, and who we assumed would be in the room that day. Instead, 7 people bombarded us. We stumbled frequently over the boring material and were just thrilled when we finished. However, it wasn’t over at this point. It was time for the grilling questions. KDF shot down a great majority of what we presented, telling us why it wouldn’t work. Luckily the members of my team who answered the questions were prepared with some good returning comments. Either way, we couldn’t wait to get the hell out of there.

I’m fortunate that my first two clients were polar opposites. It’s given me a better idea of what to expect when I encounter these types of clients out in the world beyond.

Ogilvy & Mather has done wonders for Dove. They have created this brand personality that has captured the attention of women everywhere: Dove celebrates real beauty.

Ogilvy’s most recent contribution to this campaign is the “Real Beauty Sketches” viral videos. These videos show women who are brought in to meet with a sketch artist. They describe the way they see themselves to this sketch artist. Later, a stranger who has met this same woman will come in and describe that woman.

What the participants in this study find, is that they are more beautiful then they perceive themselves to be. It is such a simple message, but delivered in such a powerful way. Ogilvy & Mather really has made great spots for Dove, but I believe this one has taken it to a whole new level. It is real, and it is hard-hitting.

The best part of these videos is seeing the raw emotion of these women when they see their sketch and the stranger’s sketch side by self. The difference is immense. Features on the woman’s face are way over exaggerated in her own description of herself.

Much praise must be given to Ogilvy and Mather for helping women see their true beauty.