Imaginary Forces’ Post

I recently watched the Actors' Roundtable featuring all 24 Oscars nominees. What struck me about the discussion was that none of the actors tried to act like "experts" or as if they knew more about acting than the others present. They simply talked about their experiences and shared their thoughts. It felt like watching six regular people having a conversation. The actors were authentic and genuine. They didn't force themselves to speak more or less than they wanted to. They didn't try to be dramatic or show off their ego for the camera. This learning can be applied to the context of advertising and marketing. -Your brand doesn't have to be objectively better than others. Rather, it should have a unique identity that sets it apart.- #advertisingandmarketing

What did you miss in May? The first in our brand new series 🤩 Each month I’ll be sharing a round up of What’s in and What’s out in the creative industries for Confessions of a Creative! What was your most memorable campaign or creative industry update from May? Share yours in the comments. #creativecareers #personalbranding #newgrads #freelancing

As I watched the short video below, it felt like this can be experienced by anyone who also runs a small business and has a vision of what they want the business to look like but gets constant feedback from outsiders of what they think it should look like. #sergiuhirtescuigwealth

Day 2 of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity ranks as one of the most interesting and insightful. Here's my M&C Saatchi Group South Africa Brutally Simple recap. Don't forget to check-out Jacques Burger's perspective and recap as well. > IN A WORD < Fundamentals If you were at Cannes yesterday it was a powerful reminder of getting the fundamentals right. Mark Pritchard (CMO P&G) talked about "everyday creativity" and the power of fining those small human moments that invoke feeling and to focus on how your brand contributes to that feeling. Obvious right? But rarely practiced. The CMO of JP Morgan Stanley Chase reflected on the journey of being purpose led - a simple observation: you know purpose is working "when people act on it when no-one is looking". And really useful research and data from EY on the need to re-define (and remind!) the C-suit on the role of brand - and that to get there we need a simpler, clearer language in marketing. But probably the most incisive and fundamental perspective was from Mark Ritson: "Before even beginning to get to a strategy, let alone the tactics, have you taken the time to diagnose the market?" > IN A QUOTE < "It turned out telling a good story was better than showing a giant call to action." - Laura Jones, CMO InstaCard Critical insights for all marketing and business decisions makers came from Laura Jones' talk sharing her journey on building the case for brand at Instcart (the multi-billion dollar delivery brand), taking Instacart from a "transactional product" to an "inspirational brand". And yes, with absolute empirical evidence demonstrated to the business the significant value the shift from being performance led (and they are a tech business) to being brand led has had on the bottom line. I'll be pulling this case study together to share widely! > IN A PIECE OF WORK < Dove do it again. Following on from my post yesterday, they consistently take their timeless message to market, in a powerfully timely way. This is powerful and important work👇

Strategy. Audience. Delivery. Results.

Still relying on the logic of making films with pre-sold identities:

Did you know that XR offers services through SOURCE, SLATE and SHOTS?? Super cool and you can submit your work and maybe you will be featured. SOURCE: Unlimited research possibilities. Source is the world’s largest, constantly updated database for the advertising industry. Find everything you need, instantly. A fully tagged & credited database of over 500,000 commercials, creatives, agencies and brands, dating back to the 1950s. Flick through spots in seconds with hover scrub, storyboard using high-res stills for any second of any film, and create and share bespoke mood reels. Explore and go further. Source gives you unique features and tools that are unrivalled in the industry. To make your research better SHOTS: A global platform for creativity With a specific focus on film, shots is the global platform dedicated to creativity in the advertising space. The aim of the brand is to inspire and inform through news, features and dedicated insight, brave creative thinkers and makers, enabling them to deliver world-leading content for global brands. Insight into the craft As well as expert curation of campaigns, shots offers detailed insight into the craft of advertising and inspiring opinions from the creative community. The brand is committed to discovering and promoting the stars of the industry’s future. Global awards program shots Awards Europe and shots Awards The Americas are an extension of the shots brand and annually celebrate the industry’s most innovative and inspirational campaigns, from around the globe. With a renowned international judging panel, the awards reward the very finest work produced over the year SLATE: Immaculately designed. Custom-built for the advertising industry, Slate uses the latest tech and AWS Cloud to deliver a superior experience for all. The best-looking reels in the industry. With vast customization options and powerful streaming software, your work will look flawless across all devices. Create, refine and share reels on the go. One-click. Seamlessly import all of your media and metadata from Extreme Reach and Source, as they air. Plus, easily transfer your content from Vimeo and your current showreel provider.

What is a Publicity Stunt? John Cena's Oscars "Naked" Stunt: A Publicity Stunt - But Did It Land? The 2024 Oscars certainly had a moment of surprise when John Cena, while presenting the award for Best Costume Design, reportedly took the stage "naked" as part of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show act. Whether you find it funny or outrageous, this is a prime example of a publicity stunt.A publicity stunt is a planned event designed to attract public attention to a person, cause, or product. They often involve surprising, shocking, or humorous elements to grab headlines and social media buzz. The John Cena Case: A Calculated Risk? This stunt is a gamble for Cena. It has undoubtedly generated significant attention, but the long-term effects remain to be seen. Here's a breakdown of the potential outcomes: Increased awareness: It puts John Cena back in the spotlight and potentially opens doors to new comedic acting roles. Damage to serious acting image: Depending on the public's perception, it might be seen as disrespectful and hinder his ability to land dramatic roles. The key to a successful publicity stunt lies in its execution and reception. Did it achieve its intended effect? Did it generate positive or negative publicity? Do you think John Cena's stunt was a good career move? Share your thoughts in the comments! #publicitystunt #oscars #johncena #jimmykimmel #marketing #entertainment #maalondon

Where Every Hallway Is a Story Waiting to Unfold 📖✨ Don't just host an event; create an immersive narrative with Applause Entertainment's roaming actors! 🎭 Our performers are more than entertainers; they're storytellers, ready to transport your corporate events into tales of intrigue, laughter, and connection. Whether through historical figures, fictional characters, or thematic personas, we bring a depth of engagement that standard events only dream of. Intrigued? 🌟 Reach out to Brie or Tim today, and let's make your next corporate event a journey to remember. #StorytellingEvents #RoamingPerformers #CorporateEngagement"