Ad Age's Jonah Bloom Slapped Down For Defending CP+B

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While Advertising Age's Jonah Bloom has had issues with what we've written a couple times, we are, without doubt, sure he's going to take issue with what George Parker recently wrote about a column Jonah did on Crispin Porter + Bogusky backlash. Commenting on Bloom's statement about ads being "events" and hatred of Crispin's work actually being a good thing for the client, Parker wrote, "Listen Jonah baby, do me a favor, go and rent a copy of 'The Hucksters' and check out the scene where Sydney Greenstreet as 'The Soap Baron' spits up a huge gob of phlegm on the boardroom table to show agency guy Clark Gable how you go about catching the consumers attention. It's disgusting, just like holding a pile of dog shit, or having a crazed Nazi with a Nurse Diesel assistant shilling for VW. You don't have to spit in someone's face to get their attention."

Parker's gleeful criticism doesn't end there, adding, " And don't give me that shit about 'Ads as events.' They're fucking ADS... Get it. If I want an event, I'll go to the Super Bowl, and not for the ads. This is what happens when you have people who've never worked a day in advertising, writing about advertising. Pathetic!"

So who's right? No bullshit George who has years of advertising experience or CP+B-defending Jonah who's made a successful career in journalism?

by Steve Hall    Jan-31-07   Click to Comment   
Topic: Agencies, Opinion   

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Comments



Comments

What's the matter kids can't take a stand here.
"No Bullshit George" gets my vote!!

Posted by: roy on January 31, 2007 12:29 PM

Jonah was talking out of both sides of his mouth. The first half of his column softly trashes the work for Orville...but then the back half of the article places CPB on a pedestal.

Perhaps Jonah should learn to take a stand for something and then support that stance through facts.

I'll give you some facts:

1. Miller sales decreased
2. BK sales were flat, flat, flat until just recently (that would be neary 3 years in the making to finall cross into the Black)
3. Method left
4. SlimJim sales are down
5. VW is practically out the door

But you know...who needs facts or metrics. Do you think it's a suprise that Martin is out the door, the CMO at ConAgra is leaving, and BK had several leadership changes through the CPB tenure? I don't think that's a coincidence. when you let your agency manage the CMO instead of the CMO managing the agency you have failure.

RIGHT ON GEORGE!

Posted by: Billy Frog on January 31, 2007 12:48 PM

Leo Burnett: "If all you want is attention, just go around all day with a dirty sock hanging out of your mouth."

If it don't sell, it ain't creative!

Posted by: Tim Orr on January 31, 2007 1:45 PM

Thats because they only want to read, write and see fun, sexy :30 second spots and don't give a shit about how they actually sell products. They don't get that most people will see it once and skip over it with a DVR anyway. Who gives a shit. Damn TV ad people.

Posted by: Saphron Jenkins on January 31, 2007 2:27 PM

Steve...
What do you think the odds are on me getting a free subscription to AdAge???
I've had a ton of emails agreeing with my position. But, that's 'cos I'm a Prince.
Do you think I have a future in this biz???
Cheers/George

Posted by: George Parker on January 31, 2007 2:28 PM

One of the greatest faults of copywriters, said the legendary Claude Hopkins, is they "forget they are salesmen and try to be performers. Instead of sales, they seek applause." Old words, but still very true.

No Bullshit George is right on the money. It's not the first time Jonah stuck his foot in his mouth. It would be nice if Ad Age had an editor who actually believed in the power of advertising.

Posted by: Rich Miller on January 31, 2007 2:40 PM

By the way Billy Frog word is around the ConAgra Campus their little departing CMO who has her digs in South Florida didn't want to take a chance she would have to move to Omaha. Short skirts and tongs don't work well around the snow I guess.

Posted by: Olod Redneck on January 31, 2007 3:59 PM

So refreshing to read an honest criticism of Ad Age and thier god child CP+B. I am not sure when Ad Age will ever begin fairly reporting on the ad industry.

Posted by: Lauren on January 31, 2007 4:33 PM

I'm still trying to grasp the apparent fact that George Parker is still alive.

Posted by: jason on January 31, 2007 4:33 PM

Jason... Oh Jason...
Have we crossed swords in a previous life? Are you that wanker who in some dim dark past, I scolded for producing a CP+B like piece of shit... It doesn't matter. As I say to people who post nasty comments on my blog... You don't have to fucking read it, unless you have some kind of morbid fascination with listening to the rants of an old curmudgeon who will be around long after you are pushing up daisies. 'Cos I am not only pickled after years of alcoholic abuse, I also have a picture of myself in the actic with snakes growing out of my head!!!
Cheers/George

Posted by: George Parker on January 31, 2007 4:45 PM

Oooops... Jason...
I forgot to ask... Your name begins with a "J" as does Jonah. It also has the same number of letters as Jonah. There is also a Cabalistic Illuminati theory that people who share the same letter as the second and fourth ones in their name are in league with the Devil. But, if they also have the same first letter and number of letters (I hope you're following this)... They are the fucking Devil... Does Crain Publications realize they are paying Beelzebub to write shit on a regular basis???
Cheers/George

Posted by: George Parker on January 31, 2007 4:54 PM

Yep and he is simply lethal Jason. It comes with the gray roots!!

Posted by: Roy on January 31, 2007 9:40 PM

Jonah Bloom is yearning for the glory days of advertising (I guess the 1950s) when it still (allegedly) worked. He has a fundamental problem grasping that the world has changed fundamentally. Jerk.

Posted by: Norman Doring on January 31, 2007 10:33 PM

whoa. crusty, cranky, sour-grape faced CP+B haters find comfort in their own self-important opinions. God, it gets sooooo old.

Posted by: MINIapolis on January 31, 2007 11:24 PM

Hey MINIapolis...
You really are heavy about this... Shit you even had to post twice. And you're right, I am a crusty, cranky old fuck, and that is a vine I'm standing under, and it's got grapes on it... But they're not sour, they're like me, sweet! Have a nice day... Wanker!
Cheers/George

Posted by: George Parker on January 31, 2007 11:30 PM

that wasn't a rant, that was delusional megalomania.
and who the fuck are you, george parker?
i went to your marketing site and your ads are completely lame. maybe you should focus on making a decent commercial, it's more endearing than your bitter old man routine.

Posted by: Alex on February 5, 2007 10:55 AM

that wasn't a rant, that was delusional megalomania.
and who the fuck are you, george parker?
i went to your marketing site and your ads are completely lame. maybe you should focus on making a decent commercial, it's more endearing than your bitter old man routine.

Posted by: Alex on February 5, 2007 10:55 AM

that wasn't a rant, that was delusional megalomania.
and who the fuck are you, george parker?
i went to your marketing site and your ads are completely lame. maybe you should focus on making a decent commercial, it's more endearing than your bitter old man routine.

Posted by: Alex on February 5, 2007 10:56 AM

Right on, Alex.

Posted by: MINIapolis on February 7, 2007 10:05 AM

I was just enjoying my Paul Newman "Orville Rest in Peace" flavor popcorn, when I remembered my somewhat hilarious blog discussion with anonymous CP+Bers. At least their posts are funny, because their ads suck!

Posted by: Adam Zand on February 7, 2007 2:53 PM

Are you THE Adam Zand???!!!!

Posted by: MINIapolis on February 7, 2007 4:39 PM

Huh? I don't post anonymously so yes, "Madam I'm Adam." Shoot me an email at azand@topazpartners.com if you're a Doubting Mini.

Posted by: Adam Zand on February 7, 2007 5:15 PM