Campbell Ewald
One of my Detroit spy's tells me that Campbell Ewald just laid off up to 60 people and things in MoTown are getting pretty fucked up. Seems like Chevy cut billings, so as usual the fucking agency cut staff. Checking the company Web site you might want to watch their mind numbing promo video featuring Jim Palmer, the President and then... a "Creative Catalyst" a "Team Motivator" a "Digital Visionary" a "Strategic Generator" and yes, you guessed it, a "Change Agent." So, where the fuck is their "Rock Star?" Calling Julie Roehm! Word is that the only reason they keep Chevy is because they force all the VP's and people with weird fucking titles, like those above, to buy Chevy's if they expect a year end bonus. There are also rumors that some of the other accounts are getting itchy feet. Not surprised when you read this opening statement on their Web site... There is no substitute for industrial-strength creativity. There is no easy route to brilliance. You learn these kinds of things in a city like Detroit. Where determination and heart win out over smoke and mirrors. It’s no wonder we build our clients’ brands with passion, trust and respect. Whether it’s from our people in L.A., New York, D.C. or Atlanta, the heart and soul is pure Detroit. Just what the fuck does that exactly mean?
.
Game over?
I'm sorry, George, I must be getting soft in my dotage. I feel sorry for Campbell Ewald, which long ago lashed itself to the mast of Chevrolet. They drank the Chevy Kool-Aid; went to all the Detroit Ad Craft luncheons; then their client forgot how to make a competitive 4-door family sedan for 25 years. It's arguable that CE has more faith and belief in (and a better understanding of) the Chevy brand than any of the wankers at GM. This is the thanks they get.
Posted by: Steve Feinberg | April 13, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Easy: it means they're fucked. Or game over, either way.
Of all the things in this world to which to tie your company, DETROIT has to be the worst.
For a "creative" company it's an even worse choice. I saw a Pontiac Aztek today and said to a friend: "and people wonder why GM, Ford and Chrysler are in the shitter." My friend actually said "at least they took a chance." My ass they took a chance. That abomination on wheels can only be the result of 15 myopic committees circle jerking their way to the safest possible compromise "can't fail winner."
And this is the example one agency chose to cite as the source of their creative brilliance?
Just want to make clear that I feel the deepest sympathy for those who lost their jobs. I have felt that pain, it's a real kick in the gut.
Posted by: pat smith | April 14, 2008 at 01:24 AM
waiting for american automotive to lead the way again under the helm of folks like nardelli is like buying into the Minnows brochure promise of " a three-hour tour ..."
Posted by: the lower depths | April 14, 2008 at 05:31 AM
or network TV's promise of "the best season" ever ...
i gotta million of 'em, i'm here all week ...
baddum bum.
Posted by: the lower depths | April 14, 2008 at 05:36 AM
In the video the Creative Catalyst is sitting on Nelson's "Marshmallow Sofa" to show how creative he is - nice touch. I see Kaiser above GM in the client list...what about Studebaker?
Seriously, an 85-year old account must be both a blessing and a curse. I wish these guys well....
Posted by: Auntie Christ | April 14, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Wonder which accounts have itchy feet?
Posted by: Bill Lutz | April 14, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Auntie...
Where else would a "Creative Catalyst" sit, if not on a marshmallow sofa?
Cheers/George
Posted by: George Parker | April 14, 2008 at 02:36 PM
That's too bad for CE. They are actually a class act...especially compared to the other IPG shop across town (you know...the one that already lost Buick)
Posted by: NotNow | April 14, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Some of the workers are class act, the mgmt- I don't think so. Maybe closer to Class Clowns. That place is horrible. The only good thing is you really do get to leave at 5. I feel sorry for the people that lost jobs, but CE nah, its a gong show.
Posted by: CEALUM | April 14, 2008 at 04:43 PM
george, a truly uber creative catalyst would be seated on the big hand chair, like the old Odd Couple episode, with a snifter of brandy and a pipe.
this guy's sending the wrong message out to the next generation by that poor choice of seating.
back on point though: most new management is like a trust fund kid. they're not the ones that worked up the business, they just get the top salary. wrong decisions are bound to follow.
Posted by: the lower depths | April 15, 2008 at 05:04 AM
okay, let's have a discussion about whacky agency job titles, shall we?
don't we all know that's just what agencies do to impress idiot middle-management marketing guys on the client side? all the talk of different approaches, publicis' holism spiel comes to mind, is not so much an attempt to fool oneselves but to play the business school game with clients who buy into this shit. I don't care what idiotic titles the suits in my agency come up with ("chief holism officer") and how much they wank off if they get the job done - which is to get me into pitches and then rimjob the client until his balls turn purple.
I hate it when suits stand in the way idly or don't act at all. we all do. but I haven't read anything actually like that in your post, george. all I have read was that the product sucks, which we all know to be true, and that they lost a bunch of business. I personally feel sorry for those guys. there isn't much positive stuff about to happen for them. they're in detroit, for fuck's sake.
I feel a bit less charitable for the creatives. why on earth would you be in detroit in the first place? to work on car accounts? puh-leeeease.
Posted by: me | April 15, 2008 at 02:36 PM
maybe they live there and want to stay near friends and family? maybe they're not pretentious, globe-hopping freaks who think that you're useless unless you've held a job in Bukk Phat as ECD on the Rim Pacific Telecom account?
they're there, and they're just getting screwed by the people writing those god-awful blurbs.
some people love working on car accounts, remember a contributor here named Jethro Tull? say anything bad about american cars, particularly Ford and he'd jump in and fly the flag.
Posted by: the lower depths | April 16, 2008 at 05:20 AM
I would rather have an ECD with some experience in other places than one who's whole career is in one spot. Hmmm..ring a bell CE? Hello Bill Ludwig. Ive heard you can't keep any high level CD's because he won't let them have a voice. So me, id take the person who worked in the Pacific Rim instead of a Life who has little talent.
Posted by: ECD from the Pacific RIm | April 16, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Just stumbled on to this...it's really interesting dialogue coming from our industry that's suppose to be focused on breakthrough creativity. It's scary that we have some folks that are so bound up with anger and frustration. Let it go.... Life's too short to spend it trying to bring others down. Detroit has its ups and downs and it takes real insight to understand the strength and power of the big 'D'. Trust that those who live here understand it and leave it at that....
Posted by: Faith | April 24, 2008 at 03:07 PM
CE is a POSER. It's not even in Detroit! It's in Warren, but on its Web site pretends it's got grit because it's in the D. Wrong! It's at 12 Mile and Van Dyke, Warren Country.
Posted by: dan | July 17, 2008 at 10:05 AM
If you are trying to do excellent work and are stymied by some knot head in production who won't keep up his end of the bargain, don't expect any help from "management" at CE. Most managers don't understand the true concept of the word manage anyway; especially in this agency. If jobs weren't so scarce, a pink slip from this place would be a blessing in disguise.
Posted by: Olivia | January 10, 2009 at 11:41 AM