MxMIndia

Category: HARD KNOCKS

Anil Thakraney’s view on adland, medialand and more

  • A copywriter has taken the trouble to try and revive the art of writing long copy, and he has come up with a cool idea. Bodhisatwa Dasgupta of Ogilvy & Mather has announced a contest called: 'Longhand'. Which invites contestants to write long copy ads. And win instant recognition.

    Anil Thakraney: Ready for long copy?

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    It’s quite well known that ever since television boomed in India, and ever since the Hindi heartland boys took control of the ad world, the press ad has been dead. No one cares about it, often not even the client. It’s now treated as a support medium which must coldly state the facts, and no more. It is also widely (and incorrectly) believed that people don’t read any more, that they have become video junkies, therefore the copy must be kept as crisp as possible.

     

    With the advent of social media, the last nail in the coffin of the press ad got hammered in. Forget penning long prose, writers today don’t even know how to spell simple words. These are days of “Hiya gr8 2 c u!” In such a gloomy scenario, there emerges a ray of hope. A copywriter has taken the trouble to try and revive the art of writing long copy, and he has come up with a cool idea. Bodhisatwa Dasgupta of Ogilvy & Mather has announced a contest called: ‘Longhand’. Which invites contestants to write long copy ads. And win instant recognition.

     

    What makes things even more exciting is that the entries will be judged by legendary copywriters like Indra Sinha and Neil French. (Below are their posters encouraging writers to participate in the contest.) Moreover, the product briefs sound pretty enticing. One is for a whisky brand called ‘Gambler’, which is sold in little sachets.

     

    Full marks to Dasgupta for trying to do his bit. At least there’s someone out there who’s kept the faith. So get cracking and craft out that lilting prose. And prove to everyone that Indian ad world writers can still write. And can communicate without murdering the Queen’s language.

     

    All the best!

     

    To enter, you can join this Facebook page:
    http://www.facebook.com/putheadlinehere

     

    And here’s the link to the contest:
    http://putheadlinehere.blogspot.in/2012/03/faq-briefs.html

     

     

     

    Indra Sinha Neil French

     

     

  • Kids would most probably view this as harmless fun, and not as a license to either misbehave with members of the opposite sex or to get into bed at the age of 12

    Anil Thakraney: Voda must commission study on campaign

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    There is a controversy raging in the virtual world over the new Vodafone pug campaign. The one where the doggie plays cupid between two kids who look to be in their early teens. The problem is this: Some people find them too young to be flirting, and feel that this sort of a campaign would send the wrong signal toIndia’s kids.

     

    I did allude to this when I reviewed the campaign some weeks back, and I recall wondering if the two are indeed a bit too young to be glad-eyeing each other. But I left it at that and passed no value judgments. And that’s because I am not really sure of the propriety (or the impropriety) of the situation. While it is true that young ones in urban India often start dating early in their lives (and this used to be the case even when I went to school, so it’s nothing new), I am not entirely sure what happens in small towns and villages.

     

    However, some ad experts seem to think that the campaign is indeed a terrible influence on young minds, and veteran ad man Alyque Padamsee’s comments have gone viral in the social media. He seems to think that ads like these can lead to social problems like eve-teasing and sexual harassment when the lads grow up!

     

    Quite obviously this is an over the top reaction. My own view is that kids would most probably view this as harmless fun, and not as a license to either misbehave with members of the opposite sex or to get into bed at the age of 12. And I also believe that kids usually get influenced by adult behaviour, as it’s the grown ups who tend to be their role models.

     

    Still, it might be a good idea if Vodafone commissioned a study amongst the young teens, in urban and ruralIndia, to understand the influence of this campaign on young minds. And if it’s a harmless one, then great! And if it is found to be pernicious, they could pull the campaign. Either way the marketer will be appreciated for taking a pro-active step.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o[/youtube]

    However, they must act quickly. Before, egged on by comments of worthies like Alyque, some dudes with too much free time on hand file in bitter PILs. And cause the early death of a campaign which to my mind seems to be quite cute, and doesn’t really threaten the moral fabric of the great Indian society.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: Wonderful use of emotion. The happywallah emotion. Keep a hanky ready, it’s sure to leave a little moisture in the eyes. Especially if you are a parent.

     

  • A whole lot of huge names from all walks of life… industrialists, politicians, movie stars, sports stars, etc, were in dutiful attendance. I wonder if the allure had to do with the blaster or that the invite went from Mukeshbhai. I suspect it was the latter… no one in his/her right mind would wish to offend India's richest man.

    Anil Thakraney: The Big Sachin Bash

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I caught glimpses (on NDTV) of that mega party Mukeshbhai and Neetaben threw for Shri Tendulkar. And no, that it was held at that deeply repugnant structure called Antilla didn’t prompt me into hitting my remote control as deftly as Sachin would, in his hey days, heave Shoaib Akhtar over fine leg. It was the master being felicitated after all, so one was expected to pay attention.

     

    Here are some random observations: A whole lot of huge names from all walks of life… industrialists, politicians, movie stars, sports stars, etc, were in dutiful attendance. I wonder if the allure had to do with the blaster or that the invite went from Mukeshbhai. I suspect it was the latter… no one in his/her right mind would wish to offend India’s richest man.

     

    Mr & Mrs Ambani are enormously poor public speakers. They may know how to turn stone into gold, but the duo lacks the ability to keep you from yawning miserably. Two options: They can get other speakers to do the honours. Or, they can enroll for a public speaking course. Don’t think it costs much.

     

    Abhishek Bachchan, on the other hand, is a far better public speaker than he is an actor. Small B needs to attend acting classes, but that’s another story. Priyanka Chopra as the anchor was perfect. Though, quite disappointingly, she turned up over-dressed. Aamir Khan was at his professional best. Guess he rehearsed his speech for the 100th 100 time before driving out for Antilla. Salman Khan mumbled a lot. No one understood what he said, but people laughed all the same. Given the macho star’s fiery temper, that’s always a good idea. But his little dig at SRK was delightful. By the way, wonder why Shah Rukh failed to turn up. Had he arrived, he ought to have been seated next to Sallu bhai. TRPs would have gone through the Antilla roof.

     

    Sachin tried his best to sound cool and humorous. Didn’t really work. Partly because of his recent angry, arrogant outburst at a press con, where he was (quite rightly) questioned on his retirement plans.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGU45aNm-C4[/youtube]

    Lastly, the high point of the show was Lata tai singing “Tu jahaan jahaan chalega, mera saaya saath saath hoga.” Total paisa vasool. Mukeshbhai should now felicitate her just for that.

     

    ***

     

    PS: Nissan India has produced a five minute ‘movie’ starring Ranbir Kapoor. And it’s been created in full filmi shtyle, with all the romance, passion, colour and noise our flicks pack in. This blockbuster will officially be released this month. You saw it here first!

     

  • It's actually one huge outdoor party, where the Page 3 types and other minor celebs get to shake a leg in front of cheering masses. Not my idea of a relaxed evening. I'd prefer to watch Crime Patrol and Balika Vadhu.

    Anil Thakraney: Why I shall duck the IPL

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Like every year, this year too I shall give that circus called the IPL a quiet miss. As far as I am concerned, this is anything but cricket. It’s actually one huge outdoor party, where the Page 3 types and other minor celebs get to shake a leg in front of cheering masses. Not my idea of a relaxed evening. I’d prefer to watch Crime Patrol and Balika Vadhu. As usual. Though I have to admit I will, very reluctantly, drop by now and then. Only because I am a paid writer and can’t shut myself out of anything. Not even trash.

     

    Anyways, here are my big problems with this tamasha:

    Because there have been such dubious results in some of the matches in the earlier seasons, you have to wonder if the IPL isn’t a hot-bed for match fixing. Let me put it this way: I would be entirely surprised if the tournament turns out to be all clean. Good story for tabloids in India. A massive expose crying out to happen.

     

    Because the IPL has become a VRS scheme for retired cricketers. A pension plan for the old, burnt-out boys. Ex-players like Ganguly are an embarrassment to watch. And Dravid, in this format, fits in as nicely as I fit into a Page 3 bash. Not really interested in watching this joke.

     

    Because the tournament is infested with controversies. Not a single thing about the IPL sounds aboveboard. Right from the dodgy auctioning process to team ownership issues to the TV rights scandal to allegations of money laundering… there are rats lurking everywhere under the glitzy red carpet. Who on earth would want to waste time on such an incredible tournament.

     

    Because there is an almost zero regional flavour in each team. I still cannot bring myself to support the Mumbai team, most of the players continue to be from other regions. Ditto for other teams. Just to give you one example: Dhoni is as far removed from Chennai as Gorakhpuri flicks are from Amma’s DVD collection. So there is no real passion for the game. It’s time pass at best.

     

    Because it’s no fun watching Neetaben and her chubby boys jumping and dancing post the match. I suspect their own (now ex) team captain, Sachin Tendulkar, gets pretty scandalized by their shenanigans. Maybe that’s why he opted out of captaincy. So that ben hugs Bhajji instead.

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLzsKm7sEG0[/youtube]

    Because the IPL is anything but cricket.

     

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    PS: Haha. A real cool ad from Axe. On how to keep pace with a totally flirty girlfriend. So much more fun than all those silly ads that feature women chasing the Axe man around. And a super script too!

     

  • I cannot understand why the industry hasn’t yet thought of a powerful communication plan against drunk driving. In fact, it is a booze company that should take it up, and seize the opportunity to build one of its brands. And in addition, project an image of being a socially aware organization.

    Anil Thakraney: Needed: Campaign against drunk driving

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Two recent tragedies in Mumbai involving drunk driving have again put the problem in the spotlight. Despite all the policing and the possibility of doing jail time, people continue to hit the wheel inebriated. And this happens in all urban areas. The Mumbai police has once again taken to the roads with a vengeance, but clearly that’s not the solution.

     

    The change, as it’s usually the case, must come from within. And this is where marketers and ad agencies can play an important role. I cannot understand why the industry hasn’t yet thought of a powerful communication plan against drunk driving. In fact, it is a booze company that should take it up, and seize the opportunity to build one of its brands. And in addition, project an image of being a socially aware organization.

     

    Isn’t that far better than indulging in those silly (and unethical) ‘Make it large’ sort of surrogate ads? Where daaru is sold disguised as soda, water and playing cards. So much wiser to do a good deed. And yes, one would like to do business with people who care for humanity, or at least people who are perceived to be good souls. Like the Johnnie Walker guys, who have been running the international ‘Drink Responsibly’ campaign with positive results. Here’s one commercial which features cricket legend Vivian Richards:

     

    But for India, we need much more compelling stuff, as we desis tend to be enormously apathetic people. We seriously lack civic sense. And if the marketers don’t come forward, I would urge the ad agencies to take proactive measures, and create solid campaigns against drunk driving. And if social responsibility doesn’t sound like a hot enough proposition, the chance of winning major ad awards should be music to the ears. Whatever works. Because I do believe here’s one public problem where the industry can play a role. It’s not something policing will be able to tackle.

     

    [vimeo width=”400″ height=”200″]http://vimeo.com/11741651[/vimeo]

    So go for it, people. It’s a great opportunity to make a real difference out there. Cheers!

     

    ***

     

    PS: Ms Arundhati Roy is at it again. She’s written yet another looong essay in Outlook mag on how greedy corporates, in connivance with politicians, police and the bureaucrats, are damaging the lives of tribals through illegal and immoral mining operations. Here’s a rejoinder to her diatribe, and it points out glaring factual errors and other blunders in Roy’s scathing arguments. That is why I have always believed this very fine writer must stick to penning fiction.

     

    Link: http://girishshahane.blogspot.in/2012/04/annotating-arundhati.html

     

  • The latest expose on the cops is a reminder that Tehelka must do many more sting operations

    Anil Thakraney: Tehelka: Must drop bombs

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Very good sting operation by Tehelka. Totally in public interest, and their findings are pretty frightening. They have carried out a sting on some Delhi cops to find their sensitivity (or the lack of it, as it turns out) to rape victims. And as we all might have suspected, yes, the stung cops’ attitude is medieval. They do believe women often ‘ask for it’. And this in turn leads to lackadaisical investigation process.

     

    This particular sting operation reminds me of the kickass way Tarun Tejpal started out his Tehelka. It used to a bomb factory, the sensational website carried out many stinging exposes, and each one shook the nation. Subsequently the portal faced the wrath of the then government and went through horrible financial difficulties. All this is well documented and discussed so I shan’t go into the sordid details.

     

    However, some years down the line Tehelka was relaunched as a rather serious magazine. Tarun seems to have left the edit room, and now the stings are few and far between. I don’t know the mag’s exact readership figures, but am quite certain they aren’t earth shattering. And that’s because the brand has lost its edge, its USP; it shut down the bomb factory.

     

    The latest expose on the cops is a reminder that Tehelka must do many more sting operations. They can continue to do the intellectual stuff, but what will get them serious readership is if the bombs get dropped on a regular basis. And the team doesn’t need to worry anymore. The Indian media has grown real mighty in the last decade, and if Tehelka were to get persecuted by the government circa 2012, the entire Indian media’s weight will fall on the ruling party like a tonne of bricks. Surely Tehelka needs to forget about the past. It will never repeat itself.

     

    And most importantly, I do believe that with the sort of mess that goes around in this nation in all walks of life, there is an urgent need for many intelligently done sting operations. Obviously those that serve a larger public purpose, like their sting on cops. And Tehelka is good at this game, no one does it as smartly as they have been known to do.

     

     

    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi8CLGqOAIg[/youtube]

    Yes, Tarun Tejpal must come out of his self-imposed exile. And re-open his ammunition factory.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: Good advice from Brit author Martin Amis. On the importance of avoiding dead words and clichés in writing. Valid for both, literary writers and copywriters.

     

  • I wasn't even aware that Cag awards still exist. They've become so low profile and unhappening in recent years, I imagined they had shut shop some years ago

    Anil Thakraney: Cag awards: Need to be revived

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Interesting story on Cag awards in mxmindia. Here’s the link in case you missed it:

    http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/04/why-cag-has-stopped-awarding-seniors/

     

    To be quite honest, till I read this particular article, I wasn’t even aware that Cag awards still exist. They’ve become so low profile and unhappening in recent years, I imagined they had shut shop some years ago. In fact, I often used to wonder what went wrong.

     

    Once upon a time, Cag awards were the most respected and the most wanted in the ad world. Creatives used to value them hugely. Unlike the Abbies which were perceived to be commercial in nature, and therefore lacked the value of Cag awards.

     

    The difference between the two was essentially what happens with film awards. Those in the popular categories and those awarded by the critics. The latter is more valued by the film frat. According to the story in mxmindia, what led to the de-valuing of Cag awards is that scam ads slipped in, and the scamsters robbed the awards of the credibility they possessed. A pity, really. Because in my books, Cag had the opportunity to be that ONE awards competition which most ad people would continue to covet and which would truly reflect their skills.

     

    Surely the entry of scamsters could have been controlled. It’s not so difficult to do.

    All you need is a copy of the media plan and a letter from the client. To kill the whole idea because of that makes little sense to me. Also, GoaFest charges heavy fees per entry. And therefore its revenues are dependent on the ad frat. This makes the organizers powerless.

     

    In my interview with Shashi Sinha, he mentioned that given a choice he’d invite clients to the jury team, but the creative directors won’t allow it. What Sinha didn’t say openly is that the real control lies with the creative directors so there’s nothing he can do. They pay for the festival, right?

     

    Cag could have been that organization where there are no entries. Or the entries aren’t paid for. Like the film awards. Where the jury members select the winners on their own. And this allows the organizers to run the show in their way, on their terms. Minus all the scams and controversies that have been known to dog GoaFest.

     

    And Cag could so easily have found sponsors who desire to be associated with a clean, respected ship.

     

    In fact, I believe this can still be done. It needs just one entity/organization to revive the awards and make them the most valued in the Indian ad world.

     

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    [youtube width=”400″ height=”200″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxjz_P3yjwM[/youtube]

    PS: Brilliant commercial from Land Rover. What a refreshing way to advertise a powerful SUV. Says so much about the brand without having to pack the ad with the usual, tired, vehicle-in-action shots.

     

  • This has been a trial by the media, the channels have been playing the cops, the lawyers and the judges all rolled into one. And all this only to give a ‘fresh slant’ to the story

    Anil Thakraney: What lessons have we learnt from Aarushi?

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Aarushi is back in the news. And it’s quite obvious that the media heat on the 2008

     

    Aarushi Talwar killing in Noida has kept the investigation going. Just as it happened in the Jessica Lal murder case. If the media hadn’t given so much attention to this crime, Aarushi’s X-file would most likely have been closed a long time ago. So far so good.

     

    However, the manner in which the electronic media has covered the story in the last four years has been nothing short of unfair and unethical. It’s one thing to put pressure on crime investigation; it’s another thing to break every single tenet of journalism with impunity. I recall the two extremes that were played out on the TV channels in the aftermath of the murder. On the one hand, there were the Star News reporters busy re-enacting the murder and virtually declaring that the parents were the killers. On the other hand there was Sonia Varma of NDTV in a chat show with Aarushi’s mom, not just bonding with her but making every visible effort to make the lady appear victimized. And in between these two extremes there has been a whole lot of speculation raging on, and every single news channel is guilty of it. What took the cake was the narco-analysis tests of the suspects being freely broadcast for public consumption!

     

    No, I am not saying for a second that the intentions of the anchors/reporters were motivated. But it is equally true that without realizing it, they have been sending all good journalism practices for a toss. This has been a trial by the media, the channels have been playing the cops, the lawyers and the judges all rolled into one. And all this only to give a ‘fresh slant’ to the story. This sort of a public tamasha doesn’t happen anywhere in the world media, apart from a few yellow tabloids.

     

    Click on the image for larger view

    No, after four long years, we still don’t know who killed Aarushi. Maybe we’ll never know. But thanks to an over-excitable media, many reputations have been tarnished forever. Question is: Have we learnt our lessons? I suspect not. I have a strong feeling that in the mad chase for TRPs we will make the same mistakes all over again.

     

    Sad.

     

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    PS: Fantastic press ad. Reminds me of the golden days of Trikaya andEnterprise, when the agency writers would churn out stunning prose. This advert kills all the myths that float around about press ads. That people don’t read long copy. That you have to say things straight and quick. That press ads are at best a reminder medium. All nonsense.

     

  • Imagine's fictional shows were completely me-too, and most of their reality stuff was a huge disaster. In such a scenario, Imagine's closure does not surprise me at all…

    Anil Thakraney: Lack of imagination

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Even a kid will tell you that there are just toooo many TV channels inIndia. Both, entertainment and news. And even as talks of a shake-out have been doing the rounds for years, more channels are waiting to start operations! Like everything else inIndia, it’s a mad house out there.

     

    Quite obviously, there can be place for only so many brands. The advertising pie is limited, and it cannot be shared by so many hungry mouths. And in the Indian context, a vast majority of a channel’s revenues come from advertising and not through subscriptions. In such a scenario, Imagine’s closure does not surprise me at all… in fact, I wonder what took them so long.

     

    As for the many other struggling channels, they are fortunate to be run by very deep pocketed suits. But those deep pockets, like Turner’s, will dry up at some point. It’s a matter of time.

     

    Imagine came on to the scene in 2008, when the Hindi GECs market was already divided between Star, Zee and Sony. Each had already established itself, and all three channels enjoyed viewer loyalty. To break into this extremely capital intensive and crowded house, Imagine’s only chance was to unleash kickass, totally offbeat programming. ‘Shock and awe’ ought to have been the mantra. 2008 was also the time when the nation had begun showing early signs of tiring of Ekta’s traditional saas bahu sagas, and there was a huge opportunity for Imagine to be the game changer that the market wanted.

     

    Alas, it was not to be. Imagine’s fictional shows were completely me-too, and most of their reality stuff was a huge disaster. ‘Swayamwar’ was perhaps the only ‘hatke’ programme, but in the GECs biz model, reality shows and movies are, at best, jam servings, laid out to entice viewers to the bread and butter fiction shows. And if the latter is a thakela and done-to-death fare, the channel is sunk. Which is exactly what happened with Imagine.

     

    Make no mistake about this: Imagine’s problem wasn’t funds or staying power or distribution or even talent. It was very simply this: Lack of imagination.

     

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    PS: This is a memo Shri David Ogilvy sent out to his employees way back in 1982.

     

    On how to write. It’s fantastic. You will notice that his suggestions, in this day and age of micro blogging and short attention spans, are more valid than ever before.

     

    Link: http://www.listsofnote.com/2012/02/how-to-write.html

     

  • Anil Thakraney is not at Goafest, but he lists his Do's and Don'ts: including how you can land a job at Ogilvy and why you must carry a permanent black marker with you!

    Anil Thakraney’s 7 Do’s and Don’ts for Goafest

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    I am not doing Goa this year. Though I did attend the fest some years ago, and noticed that the participants need to do a few things differently in order to make better use of the event. Here’s my list of suggestions, if you are en route to Goa:

     

    1. Carry a permanent black marker with you. And if you notice a scam ad pasted in the exhibition area, write in full caps on top of that entry: SCAM. Do it even if YOU submitted that particular entry. There has to come a time when the ad world outgrows this charade. So why not begin the shubh karya this year?

     

    2. If you are sloshed and hugely fed and have to attend a speech by one of those luminaries, I suggest you try and grab a seat at the rear. Don’t try to please your boss and diligently head for the front row. There are other ways to suck up. And I say this because if the presenter turns out to be too sleep-inducing, you can make a quiet escape from the rear without being noticed. This is much better than being caught yawning. I do this at every speech I attend, and it’s served me well in life.

     

    3. Gherao the organizers and demand that they find a way to break the ice with Lowe. Even better, do this after downing six large pegs. It’s critical that all leading ad agencies take part so that Goafest can become a truly meaningful awards event.

     

    4. Please don’t hang around the entire time with colleagues from your own office. That is stupid. You do that back home anyways. Here’s an opportunity to meet with colleagues from rival agencies and from other cities, to forge new alliances. And if you are really lucky, she may even slip in her room key into the sandy pocket of your Bermuda shorts.

     

    5. This is for the suits: Please DO NOT wear floral shirts. It’s much too pretentious, wannabe and desperate. Stick to semi-casuals. You will be appreciated for that.

     

    6. Please say a warm hello to Piyush Pandey. In Hindi, of course. And claim that you’ve just arrived from Etawah or Allahabad or Kanpur or Varanasi or Kumaon. You may land a job at O&M. On the spot.

     

    7. Please hang around in Goa (at your cost, of course) for an extra day. You could check into a seedy hotel and spend the day ogling at the Russian chicks on Anjuna beach. Not only will this be fun, it does not make sense for 3000 delegates to exit Goa on the same day. The Goa airport, even on uneventful days, is quite chaotic. Post Goafest, it becomes a bloody nightmare.

     

    Have a good time! Cheers!

     

    Anil Thakraney wrote this as part of his Hard Knocks blog. We thought it’s just right for the Anchor – Ed

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

    Click here to view all Goafest 2012 stories

     

  • Even a simple thing like a Facebook page can be created to upload resumes of habitual scamsters. This will ensure folks think many times before they cheat

    Anil Thakraney: What to do with scam ads?

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Quite frankly, if there is a scam happening in every walk of life in this maha corrupt nation of ours, how can we expect the advertising creative people to behave like Bapu or Mother Teresa? They are products of the same rotten system; they haven’t arrived from planetNeptune. Which is why I don’t really blame the sods who indulge in fraudulent ads. They are simply living up to the high moral ideals that have been set in this country.

     

    Still, have you ever wondered about the real reason why creatives do this mischief?

    And what can be done to control this menace without Anna Hazare’s intervention? I think both, the explanation and the solution is simple. This is no Agni missile science.

     

    The reason these scam ads thrive is the same reason hawkers land up on the footpath right outside your apartment block. Because people buy from these hawkers. If the residents become united and declare that they will not buy a single item from these trespassers, the hawkers would vanish. Similarly, ad agency chiefs must not only throw out job seekers who land up with scam work, they should blacklist these chors, so that the entire ad world becomes aware of their misdeeds.

     

    Even a simple thing like a Facebook page can be created to upload resumes of habitual scamsters. This will ensure folks think many times before they cheat.

     

    The core problem is that creative directors ACTUALLY hire people based on the work done and awards won through scamming, rather than based on the real advertising they produce. And this encourages people to churn out fake ads. So the solution lies at the desk of the agency leaders.

     

    The question is: Are they willing to stem the rot? Probably not. My own suspicion is that some of the ad bigwigs themselves do scam ads. And so this explains why the problem is proving to be so difficult to solve.

     

    In short, no point blaming the youngsters. They are only following a system that has been allowed to flourish.

     

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    PS: Here’s a list ofIndia’s worst journalists. Compiled by a blogger, and it’s the result of a poll. (Also don’t miss the comments.) You may or may not agree with the views expressed, but you have to agree it’s a totally interesting read!

     

    Link: http://www.mediacrooks.com/2012/04/indias-worst-journalists-2012.html

     

     

  • But the point I am making is that while I have no love lost for the politicians, the enraged filmi types must also examine the channel’s role in this mess

    Anil Thakraney: Dirty Picture, Dirty Mess

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    The movie world is pissed off over the I&B Ministry abruptly stopping the telecast of the raunchy flick, The Dirty Picture. This was scheduled for screening last Sunday.

     

    Yes, they have every reason to be angry. First, because the film had to undergo as many as 59 cuts in order to make the dirty picture ‘clean’… as in suitable for family viewing on television. This is crazy to begin with. All those unlucky kids who were kicked out of the multiplexes (which is a rare occurrence these days), would have made sure to get hold of a pirated DVD, and would have already enjoyed Vidya Balan’s ‘show’. In that context, the cuts make little sense.

     

    The film frat has also reason to get riled because the I&B Ministry’s sudden intervention renders the censor certificate useless. Nothing more than a meaningless rubber stamp. May as well dismiss the censor board and let the politicians decide what we must or must not watch at home and in the movie halls. So far, so bad.

     

    However, in all this din, everyone overlooked the channel’s role in this dirty drama.

    The Central Board of Film Certification’s guideline clearly states that a UA certified film can be shown only AFTER 11pm. In which case, why did the channel slot the film for primetime viewing? Carelessness or lack of knowledge of the rules or pressure from the sponsors and the advertisers? You can decide the reason, I don’t know.

     

    But the point I am making is that while I have no love lost for the politicians and loathe their unwanted interference in our lives, the enraged filmi types must also examine the channel’s role in this mess. Before they tweet off their collective anger.

    Clearly, the picture is pretty dirty from all angles.

     

    * * *

     

    PS: An author has written a horror story on Twitter. No kidding! And he’s picked up a huge number of followers. Amazing and interesting. Makes me think: This could be a medium for putting out fantastic, engrossing ad scripts. Those with engaging stories.

     

    Consider this: Cost: no issues. Production headaches: zero. No need for expensive celebs. And the 30 second duration killed. Copywriters must give this brand new medium a serious thought.

     

    Link: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/r-l-stine-posts-a-horror-story-on-twitter_b47126