I'm a web strategist and aspiring know-it-all with a passion for all things digital. I've worked in PR, advertising and not-for profit industries, and now I run a creative agency. These are the things I think about, and am sometimes compelled to write. More...

Bob Garfield – The Death of Ad Agencies

Sep 22 2007
4

Every day, it strikes me how painfully out of touch with reality the advertising world is. It’s bashed, bruised and bleeding, but still patting itself on the back with awards and telling themselves that everything is a-ok.

I could not agree more with this video from Ad Age columnist Bob Garfield.

Anyone who still thinks they’re in the business of making ads is fooling themselves, and cheating their clients by creating fun little 30-second spots that they can point out to each other when they’re at the bar.We’re all in the business of connecting brands with consumers. Spot on.

  • Brady Gilchrist

    Let’s be clear about this the real power in the ad world is not with the agency brands we all know and love it’s with the holding companies. Follow the money jack. Sir Martin is out there buying whatever he can. The holding companies which are billion dollar behemoths are quietly rearranging the chess board. It’s not up to the agencies to change – their parents will do it for them by simply inviting more kids to the party and TELLING everyone to play nice and share. The real game has not started. We have been living the pre-game the real players are suiting up now.

    Don’t be fooled people the agencies are not really in command it’s the guys who control the empires that are running the show. Up until now they have been slow to react to this whole internet thing but don’t doubt for a second that the lion is still sleeping. If you are a rogue agency you can be 100% certain that your life is about to get way more competitive.

    The clock is running. Better get your piece of the cake now – the party is about to get crowded.

    From speaking at Mixx this year I can tell you first hand that the game has changed.

  • http://www.radicaltrust.ca collin douma

    I always enjoy what the ever irreverent Bob Garfield has to say, and write. I also agree that most of his dire predictions are about to be true, rather then currently are. Inevitable as they may be. There is still time for the agencies to shift… but they are going to take a few on the chin, and in the bottom line before the dust settles. I wonder who will be the first to accept that?

    My guess is, we will lose a couple completely before that happens.

  • http://theflack.blogspot.com Peter Himler

    Thoughtful blog, Ryan. In re: the changing nature of the ad business (actually when I saw Garfield’s name I thought you were adding to his Jarvis-like feud with Comcast), anwyay, you should check out Mike Moran of IBM’s new book: “Do It Wrong Quickly: How the Web Changes the Old Marketing Rules.” Thick, but lots of good stuff from a really smart guy.

  • http://www.ryananderson.ca Ryan

    Living in Canada, we don’t actually have Comcast to deal with, which appears to be a blessing from what I’ve read. Of course, we have to deal with a near-monopoly and astronomical data rates, but I guess socialized healthcare balances it out.

    Thanks for the reco – I’m always on the lookout for decent business books… many of the ones I’ve read lately are incredibly vapid, so I always appreciate suggestions to add to the reading list..