Ad Age Releases 'Women to Watch 2004'

No, it's not a swimsuit iussue. It's a report dedicated to the 25 agency, marketing and media women who have made distinct accomplishements in 2004.

Upscale Magazines Not So Upscale

The most recent research from Mediamark Research has revealed findings that go against traditional magazine perceptions. For instance, "Us Weekly" readers are more affluent than "Vanity Fair" readers and "Town & Country" readers makes less money than "Weight Watchers" readers. Check those numbers before you go with your gut.

Cannes Brings Out Creative Insanity

Be it brand development, product promotion or otherwise, the goal of advertising is, ultimately, to move product which is why when I read comments like this from creative people, it makes my skin crawl.

"Some [marketers] see work (at Cannes) they could never approve," said an executive creative director. "Some clients have the misconception that the work always has to be strategic and get upset when they see an ad that wins a gold, silver or bronze and they ask 'Where's the strategy in that?' Some corporate guys don't get it."

Don't get it? WTF. Dude, you don't get it. Not a single piece of advertising should be without strategy. Advertising is not an art contest. It is a means to move a business forward. Sure, go to Cannes and schmooze the week away and rub elbows with the cool people of the world but don't utter bullshit like this. Advertising is a form of marketing that is designed to make consumers aware of a product so they buy it. You want art - go paint a picture. It's really very simple.

Nike to Get Buzz From 'Art of Speed'

As previously reported, Gawker Publishing launched Gawker Media Contract Publishing. It's first venture is a weblog is for Nike called Art of Speed which will examine 15 short films made by Nike-commissioned filmmakers and artists. I had the good fortune to be interviewed for a story by Nat Ives of the New York Times on this.

Steve Hall, the publisher of Adrants, a blog about the ad industry, said Nike would benefit. "Is Nike going to see a massive increase in revenue and market share from this? No," he said. "Are they going to generate some good feelings and low-level buzz? Yes."

And that's exactly what weblogs are good at - creating a viral-like undertone of awareness that gets linked-fueled until everyone knows about it but before anyone knows everyone knows.

Boston Ad Agencies Hiring to Meet Business Demand

In a sign the Boston advertising drought might finally be coming to an end, Mullen, Arnold, Modernista, Boathouse and Foster Design are seeing business increase and are hiring to service that increase. Between Arnold and Mullen, there 75 job opening ranging in salary level from $20,000 to $100,000. I guess we know who Adrants will be calling this week.

Smaller shops Modernista and Boathouse are also on the hunt for new talent. Foster Founder Ed Foster says, it's "the best it's been in years because companies are now much more interested in having dialogues about new business." Arnold CEO Ed Eskandarian adds, "We're coming back because business and the economy are strong."

Movie Trailer Will Rip Your Mouth Off

In this trailer for the Lions Gate horror movie, "Saw," an erie voice drones, "The device you are wearing is hooked into your jaws. When the timer in the back goes off, your mouth will be ripped open." Horror movies used to be scary. This one looks like it might bring back edge of your seat fear. With the flash graphics, "How Messed Up Is That?" this is clearly one messed up movie. Coming this fall.

AdWeek Screws Up Gawker Contract Publishing Story

Oh, the joys of sticking it to mainstream media. Yesterday Gawker Media launched Gawker Media Contract Publishing. It's debut effort is a weblog for Nike called Art of Speed that features film shorts from digital artists were asked to create their visions of speed.

Of the Art of Speed writer, AdWeek says, "Remy Stern of NewYorkish.com, one of six online titles published by Gawker, will write the blog." Yes, and no. Stern will indeed write the blog. However, NewYorkish is not part of Gawker publishing. Alright, this is petty, but file it away under "fact checking."

Really though. Love AdWeek. Love 'em.

Cleveland Morning DJ Goes Drag For Billboard Campaign

Cleveland's WAKS morning DJ Valentine, who's not bad looking, has gone drag for a billboard campaign and is far from the handsome guy he is in real life. Scary. Thanks to Adrants reader Charlie Brough for the tip. Click the pic to see a bigger version of Valentine's ugly drag ass.

Maxim and FHM Crush Competition

It doesn't much matter to the average male magazine reader that Esquire won four Ellie awards last month. What does matter are near naked women and that's what Maxim and FHM deliver. Even as the GQ's and Esquire's try to spice up their offerings, they are no match for the dramatic growth Maxim and FHM have seen recently. The Spring 2004 MRI study puts Maxim's audience at 12.8 million and FHM's at 4.3 million - both very healthy when compared to GQ or Esquire. The new new is nudity. Simple.

Harvard's 'H Bomb' Magazine Not That Great

The long awaited porn magazine from Harvard, "H Bomb," is out and the general opinion boils down to, "What was all the fuss about?" From standard sex-ed pieces to so-so layouts, no one's clamoring to get their hands on this one.