Thursday 17 November 2011

Keeping things simple not simpler!

I attended the Financial Services Forum annual conference this Monday and found it really inspiring. A lot of what was said, although aimed at financial services clients, can be applied to most businesses.

Dave Trott creative legend who brought us the brilliant Hello Tosh campaign in the 80s talked about making things simple. To him this means talking in the language of the “punter” not the marketer. He is right when he says it’s a mark of a really clever person to take complex ideas and make them simple.

Even those who work in the world of data and analytics can learn a lot from this. This is not dumbing down but helping to formulate effective/workable communication plans based on walking in the audience’s shoes.

The next point to remember is that the marketing communication process is simple. Get noticed (impact) ask for something (communicate) and give reasons why (persuade). In these days where people receive 1,000 to 10,000 messages a day, being noticed is a massive challenge. In media planning circles coverage, frequency and continuity tend to take priority, especially for direct response products, over impact.

So, even the biggest advertiser’s share of voice in the great scheme of things is tiny. Try remembering two advertising messages from yesterday without thinking too long. It isn’t that easy is it? So let’s hear it for Dave the voice of reason in a frantic world.

Ian Prager, Planning Director

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