MxMIndia

Tag: scam ads

  • Gossip suggests that some of the winners at Cannes are 'scam' ads, because 'nobody' has seen the winning entries in the media. It's very likely that none of them are scams. But to know that, we need access to the media plans of the winning entries.

    Anil Thakraney: Cannes winners, release your media plan

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    Congratulations to the Indian ad world, it was a very satisfying show at Cannes; 33 trophies is really wow when you consider that till only a decade back we used to win zilch.

     

    However, the rumour mill is buzzing. Again. Gossip suggests that some of the winners at Cannes are ‘scam’ ads, because ‘nobody’ has seen the winning entries in the media. The PR winnings sound dodgier, the work appears to have been designed to please an international jury. For example, that bit about adopting a pothole. Wouldn’t firangi judges just lurve stuff like this from Incredible India? Everyone out here is wondering exactly how may potholes got sorted.

     

    Now, it’s quite possible that the gossip is unfair to the winners, it’s very likely that none of them are scams. But to know that, we need access to the media plans of the winning entries, and that’s impossible. One could have filed an RTI application, but sadly, the ad world doesn’t come under its purview, not yet at least. So then what’s the way out? I would urge the winners to publish their media plans in the trade media. With details of the number of insertions for press ads, number of hoardings used, etc. And the PR winners should publish full details of the operations and the effectiveness of their campaigns. I think this is important for it shall help kill the gossip. In any case, if you have done genuine work, why not proudly publish the facts?

     

    On another note, must say our continuing disappointing run in the digital category is a cause for concern. I can only think of one reason why we aren’t winning anything: Our old world creative directors who are obsessed with the traditional media, and have failed to evolve. Well, they better change this fast. By finding people who can help them understand the digital space. (By the way, many of these giants haven’t even tried out social media, I kid you not.)

     

    Lastly, a pat on the back to the TOI group. Despite being a huge, huge organization, they consistently find a way to inspire their ad agencies into doing scintillating work. Marketing directors and brand managers of other large companies should borrow a leaf from them. On why bigness should never come in the way of good creative work.

     

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    PS: Cool idea from the makers of Homeland, the hugely popular US TV serial. They are looking for ‘extras’ for the next season, and are inviting members of the janata to come forward and apply. Great way to promote a soap, Indian TV serial makers should try it too.

     

    Link: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/05/homeland-casting-call/

     

    Anil Thakraney is a senior journalist and commentator. He is also Editor-at-Large, MxMIndia. The views expressed here are his own. He can be reached via Twitter at @anilthakraney

     

  • We are a nation of a million scamsters and cheaters, so there's no reason why the desi ad guys won't join in the party. This nation scores very poorly on ethics, and it's a reality we have to accept and live with

    Anil Thakraney: Why plagiarism is unstoppable

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    The root cause of scam ads and idea thievery in advertising is the mad lust for awards. As long as national creative directors continue to reward/hire people based on their ability to bag these (meaningless) trophies, creative people will continue to fraud and cheat. So that’s a given.

     

    But the moot question is this: How come the frequency of creating scam ads and looting ideas is higher in India than in the western world? Surely agency heads in those nations too value personnel who win awards. I think part of the answer to that question lies in the great Indian culture. We are a nation of a million scamsters and cheaters (look around you, it’s happening everywhere), so there’s no reason why the desi ad guys won’t join in the party. This nation scores very poorly on ethics, and it’s a reality we have to quietly accept and live with.

     

    The other answer is creative sloth, and to an extent, lack of talent. Not getting hit by a bright idea? Why not quickly scan the Black Book to see if an ‘inspiration’ strikes. Or trawl the internet to suss out what the firangi creatives are up to. Easy, no? Who will notice the lift? Award juries can’t keep an eye on millions of ads being created around the world. Also, if I do get caught, I can always claim it’s ‘divine coincidence’. In any case, by the time the chori is discovered, I would have got that massive pay hike.

     

    I’ll give you another insight: Notice that most plagiarism and scams ads happen for the static media. Press ads, posters, hoardings, stickers, etc. It’s not often that we catch people lifting TV commercials. And that’s because of two reasons: Senior creative directors in India are entirely focused on the TVC, and pay very little attention to the other stuff, which is delegated down the line. With no one to keep an eye on them, some junior/middle level creatives resort to cheating. There’s another thing: Art directors/Visualisers in India (this is not the case in the west) usually get left out of TVC script writing and production. This is because many are considered to be ‘the down market, vernie, JJ school types’. Which means their only chance of recognition is an award for a press ad/poster. And this leads to the frantic Black Book/D&AD annual scan.

     

    So now you know why scams and copying of ads won’t stop anytime soon.

     

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    PS: Excellent press ad by Colgate. Am getting to see a truly brilliant print effort after a long time. Are you experiencing that ‘Why didn’t I think of it’ moment? Tempted to copy? Go ahead, lift this idea for your brand. I won’t tell anyone. Promise!

    Click to large

     

  • Time for debates and angry tweets/FB updates is over. It's time for hard action. The Goafest organizers should announce that scam ads entered slyly as official work will invite a hefty fine for the ad agency

    Scamadgate-2 | Anil Thakraney: Penalize the scamsters

    By Anil Thakraney

     

    There has been a rather muted reaction to Leo Burnett’s Tata Salt scam radio adverts. In contrast with all the sound and fury over the JWT Ford Figo ads. Surely Burnett’s ‘crime’ isn’t any lesser. I can only think of one reason: The ad junta is tiring of news on scams, a few senior industry folks I spoke with only shrugged with helplessness and resignation: ‘So what’s new, man?’

     

    Enough has been discussed on the subject of scam ads (including by myself), so there’s nothing more to add. However, I am now convinced all this talk has been pointless, that scams will always rule in the desi ad world. Not just because these ads land people new jobs and increments (and are therefore created), but because India is a country of scamsters. There’s a ghotala happening in all walks of life, so why must the ad frat be any different, they haven’t arrived from Pluto. I guess the time has come to accept that they will happen again and again. And therefore, the debate must shift from ‘How to cure this disease’ to ‘How to control it’.

     

    The social media buzz suggests creating a separate category for scam ads, thus legalizing them. This idea is as old as the hills, I recall proposing it fifteen years ago in the ad mag I was editing at the time. This will never work because once they are called ‘Unreleased Work’, such ads will not land people any real recognition, and therefore no new jobs. Agency heads will treat it as ‘jerk-off’ stuff, and dismiss it. So then what to do?

     

    I think the solution lies in financial punishment. For the next year, the GoaFest organizers should announce that scam ads entered slyly as official work will invite a hefty fine for the ad agency. Let’s say, a penalty of Rs 25 lakhs per scam ad. The world’s second oldest profession isn’t generally respected by the masses. And that can be corrected a bit by passing on the amount collected as fines to charity organizations. The ad world gets a positive name, and the threat of monetary loss will deter many potential scamsters.

     

    The GoaFest team must give this suggestion a serious thought if they want their trophies to get some respectability. They need to play the role of cops, and not just festival organizers. Because frankly, I can’t think of any other way out of this rotten mess. Time for debates and angry tweets/FB updates is over. It’s time for hard action.

     

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    PS: On a recent visit to Delhi, I noticed that this product finds pride of place in the medical store shop windows. Not surprising, given the rising rate of crimes against women in India’s capital city. At this rate, ‘Pepper Spray’ will replace India Gate as Delhi’s glowing symbol.

     

  • 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