86 replies to this topic

[taalsi]

Well, I didn't see a thread for this one, so I made one. I apologize if I've missed it somewhere.

So, I just finished watching the Waste Management episode and I really like it. Previously, my only experience watching an advertiser in action was Darrin Stephens on Bewitched. I guess I was really overdue. It was quite interesting to see how they come up with ideas. The only thing I didn't like about this episode is the winners. I felt like the Ad Store was the underdog and I was really rooting for them. I also liked "trash can" over "wow." And the bald guy at SK+G couldn't leave my tv soon enough. Ugh. Glad to see at the end of the show that they were able to pull an account and keep the business open.

Anyway, I've reserved some space on my DVR for this one. Time to watch the Subway episode.

Edited by taalsi, May 1, 2012 @ 7:25 AM.

[poster child]

I also prefered the "Trash Can" idea and pitch. I was starting to think this show wasn't bad, but then AMC ruined it, did you notice? During the commercial break right before WM was going to announce the winner, they ran a promo for this very show. It said something along the lines of "Go to AMC.com for behind-the-scenes looks at the winning agencies" and then they showed the WM winner, who hadn't been revealed yet, right there! Ruined. Good job, AMC.

That, plus the fact that WM chose the jerky company that I didn't like, and I'm done. I feel no need to watch this show again.

[ava1]

As a former copywriter, I watched The Pitch with gargatuan pleasure and appreciation for that fact that I am no longer in that profession. It's a very "what have you done for me lately" industry filled with insane deadlines and people who think they're cool. That said, I'm know that there are plenty in the advertising that LOVE their jobs. I just got burned out. Anyway, I enjoyed the show and it was very realistic. I'm not sure how many people who've never worked in advertising would enjoy it though. I think it would be quite boring to them.

[Tandemonium]

I'm biased but hooray! Finally one of these reality/competition shows that depicts the industry and goings-on of what I do for a living.

I'm not sure how many people who've never worked in advertising would enjoy it though. I think it would be quite boring to them.

I'm enjoying it fine in the same way I think chefs and fashion designers may enjoy Top Chef/Project Runway...seeing the creative process and being familiar with its ups/downs and commiserating in joy/misery as well as hope that others not in our industries may have a newfound respect for what we do, what we know and how much we know...more akin to other expert authorities on specific subject matters like attorneys and engineers as opposed to a service industry or in this case just a fancier Kinkos that just moves their hands and mice to their whims.

Maybe finally future clients can see that we're not just playing around on bean bag chairs and do-nothing artsy people through hopefully more depictions on how the creative process and workflow work.

I would very much like to see less of the show striving to emphasize the roles in Mad Men to this show. While copywriting/copywriters are an important role, it's definitely not limited to them primarily as the idea men/women. Umm WHERE are all the designers, marketers, programmers...they have just as much right if not moreso depending on the campaign to sit in brainstorming sessions.

With the WM campaign, the NYC agency showcased a growing problem with many agencies and firms...the digital world passed by their print sensibilities. That said, though SK+G smoked them as far as wowing the client, it really wasn't that creative of an idea...it also resembles a lot of firms out there that are years past the times when they really were extremely creative, caring and hungry. They're the established firm that can promise consistent quality of what lesser-informed clients want/expect, without having to do much research or work, really...they've sort-of figured out how to modularize their business model to pump out project after project giving the impression of quality, though it's really just proficiency at rebranding some ad/design trend onto a client's existing brand. It reminded me of exactly what the Jabberwocky episode in Better Off Ted was poking fun at.

Then the next episode highlighted McKinney and reassured me that this show will not only give the McAgencies airtime, but also true idea houses.

Has anyone noticed that the structure of the show resembles that of "Truth in Advertising"? Similar "chapter" separation screens, music, etc.

Edited by Tandemonium, May 1, 2012 @ 7:10 PM.

[RubySky]

Well, I didn't see a thread for this one, so I made one.

Taalsi, thanks for starting this thread. I looked for one yesterday but thought I'd missed it.

I really liked this show. I got my husband to watch both episodes with me after we finished with Mad Men. He asked to DVR it so we're in for the season.

I don't work in advertising but I prefer reality shows that showcase actual talent, skill sets or hardworking people and this fit the bill. I plan to watch this every week.

I preferred the Trash Can idea much more than the flashier one. It just had more emotion and impact. That would make me stop and think about what was being said. The winning campaign felt busy and noisy (much like the agency itself) which I just didn't like. The bald guy at SK&G was one of the worst humans I've ever seen on TV. Physically unappealing with the worst personality ever. Sniveling too. Loved how he told on the guy who went home to see his kids but tried to behave as if that wasn't what he was doing. Exactly the kind of co-worker who would make going to work MISERABLE.

The Subway episode was interesting too. Lots of high strung personalities at both agencies but I enjoyed watching all of them work. Cool to see the smaller southern agency win the account. zAMbies was just trying too hard but not in a good way.

Anyway, hope ya'll will be back here next week to discuss. Looking forward to seeing the next episode.

[taalsi]

You're welcome, RubySky. I was worried that I was the only one who'd seen it and would have no one to talk about it with.

I don't work in advertising but I prefer reality shows that showcase actual talent, skill sets or hardworking people and this fit the bill.

Me too. I have no advertising experience but I love watching creative people work. Plus, it's nice to see a reality tv show that appears to be...real. Nothing appears overly staged and I wasn't left questioning why I wasted my time watching it.

I totally agree about the zAMbies concept. I got it but I just didn't get it, if that makes sense? It did nothing for me and all of the noise/commotion at the end of the commercial was annoying as hell. Definitely liked the rap better.

[adwriter84]

"Maybe finally future clients can see that we're not just playing around on bean bag chairs and do-nothing artsy people through hopefully more depictions on how the creative process and workflow work."

I've only been able to watch the first episode so far, so the second episode may have addressed some of my concerns. But if I were a client watching the agencies pitch for SUBWAY, "playing around on beanbag chairs" would seem pretty accurate. If there was any strategy involved, it wasn't shown. No research, no focus group interviews, nobody was shown actually trying the product for themselves, etc. The drama basically centered around throwing a bunch of creatives in a room and watching the awkwardness as some poor copywriter spouts out a bad idea. The winning idea was produced by a junior team that found a funny youtube video, and convinced the rapper to basically write the script (not that I'm advocating copywriters writing raps, mind you!). I'm sure that there was more going on behind the scenes, but it ended up on the cutting room floor.

I'm afraid that this show is going to make our industry look WORSE, and I don't blame the agencies that chose not to participate.

[taalsi]

Adwriter, I assumed that there was a bunch of stuff going on that we weren't shown. I mean, they have to take everything and condense it into like 45 minutes. There's no way they can show everything. However, I was very entertained by what they did show. I actually think things like showing them eating a Subway breakfast would've been quite boring and not a good use of their limited time. Unless, of course, they came up with their idea during that time.

I think that (non-advertising) people watching will realize there's more to it than we're shown. Besides the bald jackass at SK+G, there's nothing I've seen yet that makes me think negatively of this industry. And he only made me think negatively of him.

Edited by taalsi, May 2, 2012 @ 9:09 AM.

[iggystar]

I don't work in advertising but I prefer reality shows that showcase actual talent, skill sets or hardworking people and this fit the bill. I plan to watch this every week.

I'm a sucker for these kinds of reality shows. At first I wasn't sure if The Pitch was a candid-style show where the cameras just captured a client going through the process of picking an agency, but it looks like a genuine competition. Once I stopped being confused I enjoyed the premise very much.

It's not getting good reviews from critics though.

[car54]

I watched both episodes and really liked them. Agreed with the Subway chow"wice, but I much preferred "Trash Can" to "wow".

[dog lover]

I also liked both episodes.

Regarding Waste Management, for print ads, I liked Trash Can. I especially liked the photos of picket signs in dumpsters. But for a tv ad, the other agency nailed it. They said early on that their focus was America and that's exactly what they delivered: American the beautiful (Give us your tired...). People eat up patriotic messages, if done well, and they were smart to capitalize on that. I hated WOW as their buzz word though. Something like 'Waste Not, Want Not' would have been better IMHO.

Regarding Subway, using a rapper was clever but a powerful gimmick can sometimes backfire ... people will remember the rapper but not necessarily what was being pushed. The zAMbie pitch had some good stuff, like The Walking Dead and half-asleep people with McMuffins stuck in their mouths. However, I have to agree with the female Subway exec that neither agency showed us a Subway breakfast.

[Number6]

One of the folks from SK+G has a personal blog with some comments about the show: Clicky Link

[TheSol]

I liked the show too. Has anyone seen any of the advertising associated with/from the Subway episode? My initial thought was that 18-24 men don't eat breakfast. Period. Why? Because they don't wake up until the afternoon. There is no breakfast. At first glance, I can understand why Subway might want to focus on that group as customers, but I just don't see that as a big group to go after. It's not like they're going elsewhere for breakfast, they just ain't having it.

As for Waste Management, I liked Trash Can better too, but they ignored the whole social network thing, which is what WM was after, so I can see why they unfortunately lost.

[fangums]

I have no advertising experience but I love watching creative people work. Plus, it's nice to see a reality tv show that appears to be...real.

Agreed. I recorded it for my daughter who is interning at an ad agency this summer (production, so I agree with whomever pointed out that they could focus on more than just the copywriters), but I ended up watching and enjoying it. Not being a Mad Man watcher it took me forever to get why it was an AMC show...

Anyone know how many episodes exist?

Edited to update the Clicky Link from above

Edited by fangums, May 7, 2012 @ 12:59 PM.

[Ginandtonic]

I didn't understand the point of the woman throwing a bowling ball at her own toilet, that was a really stupid idea for an ad I think.

I could never work at one of these places, when the boss took everyone's cell phone & told them they couldn't leave for 24 hours, all I could think of was what if somebody has a family emergency & nobody can get hold of them because they're working on an ad campaign?

[taalsi]

I was so glad to see who the client was. I'm so sick of their current Benjamin Franklin commercial. It's horrible and it plays all the damn time.

There's no way in hell I would be sequestered at my job for 24 hours, let alone without my phone. I'm still not sure I understand their winning "plus help" idea. So the plumber fixes my toilet and then fixes my dinner? Huh?

As for The Hive, I thought their first idea was just bad but I did like their "heroes" campaign. I liked it the best out of all the pitches we were shown.

Every episode, they follow someone home but I was surprised that this time it was the rookie instead of the head guy, aka Joel McHale's scruffy doppleganger.

Edited by taalsi, May 8, 2012 @ 8:04 AM.

[iggystar]

Every episode, they follow someone home but I was surprised that this time it was the rookie instead of the head guy, aka Joel McHale's scruffy doppleganger.

I thought the exact same thing!

Going back to the previous episodes:

I really liked the zAMbie campaign, but I knew once the rapper came into the pitch meeting it was over for that team.

I loved the Trash Can. concept, but was really disappointed in The Ad Store's lack of agressive digital content. The other team with the really patriotic ad plus the smart phone app that they stated would feature celebs, gave more of what the client wanted. I was glad to see that The Ad Store was able to snag another client and stay open though.

Last night's episode. Um, the company specifically told the agency they wanted all three companies to retain their own identities, but they chose to use the "Direct" branding anyway? They got off on the wrong foot for sure but I thought they were gaining momentum with the story board for the commercial...until they had the customer take out the bowling ball and wreck the toilet. What?! I liked seeing the finished commercial at the end, but agree it's still a bit confusing. The plumber is done early so then he can cut my hair?

Boy, all of these companies are getting lots of ad time just for being on the show. I can see the sign up for The Pitch being very, very long.

I really dig this show although I haven't been seeing good reviews. I hope it can make it to another season.

[Philipscomments]

I've worked for big agencies and small ones, and I love this show. First time I watched it was last night, but I have been recording the earlier episodes.

I knew that bowling ball pitch was going to fall dead on it's face, and it did. Watching the client's face go stone cold told it all. Those two young men were not dressed appropriately for a pitch to a big client, in my opinion, and I know they think it's the cool way to be, but presentation of oneself is equally important. Those two guys were so happy and pumped up about that bowling ball in the toilet idea, all I could think was "and their creative director approved this???"

[iggystar]

I knew that bowling ball pitch was going to fall dead on it's face, and it did. Watching the client's face go stone cold told it all. Those two young men were not dressed appropriately for a pitch to a big client

I'm glad you chimed in because I wasn't sure if their dress was some kind of take on being hip at a pitch meeting. I thought it was really out of place for trying to impress a client.

[Philipscomments]

It reflects badly on the agency and the head of the team to let two guys come in dressed like they just rolled out of bed. As if they aren't taking the pitch seriously, or just don't care. Note how nicely the other team was dressed and how they presented their ideas. It DOES make a difference, at least it does to me as I've been on both sides of the table.

[artdogs505]

Adding to the discussion of the guys from The Hive not appearing professional. It was interesting, because FMK were dressed appropriately, acted like adults, and still seemed pretty hip! Philippa was a good presenter -- much better than the too-cool-for-school dudes from The Hive.

The bowling ball into the toilet was pretty juvenile. I didn't think the client would like it, either.

The other thing about The Hive that rubbed me the wrong way was the CEO, or creative director, or whoever he was -- the 40-something, chunky, bald guy. For some reason, it grates on me whenever anybody gets on one of these shows and starts all the trash talk about "I hate to lose." News flash: Everybody hates to lose. Grow up. His attitude was very arrogant, as was the entire team's.

In this video posted on Facebook, the client, Scott, explains that FMK asked better questions on the phone call, which impressed him. Not surprising -- the arrogant guys didn't ask good questions, because they thought they had it all wired...

https://www.facebook.com/ThePitchAMC

[Philipscomments]

His attitude was very arrogant, as was the entire team's.

Yes. And he approved the toilet bashing, which I thought was pretty stupid and had nothing to do with hiring a plumber. Unless you are really into destroying your home in order to have them come work for you.

Showing a kid with a devious little look on his face flushing a stuffed toy down the toilet would have been funny and at least, believable.

[shibori]

I chuckled all the way through the Subway episode, because I've eaten a few of their breakfast options and they were all awful. I didn't think it was possible to ruin a bacon egg and cheese sandwich or a yogurt parfait so badly, but they do. It's the only option on my drive to work, and I'd get it every day if it was even remotely decent. No amount of advertising will make me think otherwise.

After watching bald dude for an entire episode, my workplace looks downright delightful by comparison. I don't know if I've seen an agency where I'd actually want to work yet.

[PetuniaP]

The thing that bugged me the most about this show was the idea that working through the night was somehow a good way to generate ideas for a pitch. What are you doing during the day if that doesn't give you enough time to do your job? I would be livid if a company expected me to turn over my cell phone (which I'm not married to anyway so that's the least of it) and then spend 24 hours in the office without getting to lie down in a bed and sleep or take a shower and brush my teeth. That's worse then a slave shop. I'm sure they trotted that out old saw about if you aren't "committed" to the organization, then you shouldn't be there. I'm sorry, but my commitment isn't proven by my willingness to be held against my will and forced into labor overnight.

I think The Hive had 2 great ideas that failed miserably in execution. Why produce a commercial that would encourage consumer behavior you wouldn't actually want? If there's a contest which advertises that your technician might bring prize money with him, the last thing you want is people faking situations to have that technician come over. Ridiculous. Also thought the "America's Heroes" commercial was a failure as well. "From Canada"? Did they seriously think an American consumer would care where the ad agency that created the campaign was based? Total hubris.

I'm pretty sure this was my last episode. Despite working in the industry and enjoying watching the pitches and seeing who wins, the whole show is pretty much a bore. They should have made these 30 minute episodes...might have been much more tolerable.

[Ginandtonic]

I would be livid if a company expected me to turn over my cell phone (which I'm not married to anyway so that's the least of it) and then spend 24 hours in the office without getting to lie down in a bed and sleep or take a shower and brush my teeth. That's worse then a slave shop. I'm sure they trotted that out old saw about if you aren't "committed" to the organization, then you shouldn't be there. I'm sorry, but my commitment isn't proven by my willingness to be held against my will and forced into labor overnight.

And what if you have kids? You might be the sole parent or the other parent is away on a business trip, or you have pets that need taking care of? What are you supposed to do, abandon them overnight? And I also wonder if after the 24 hours are up, are they supposed to work that day also? Or does the entire company close for that day thereby angering any existing customers who can't reach anyone about their account?

[iggystar]

And what if you have kids? You might be the sole parent or the other parent is away on a business trip, or you have pets that need taking care of? What are you supposed to do, abandon them overnight? And I also wonder if after the 24 hours are up, are they supposed to work that day also? Or does the entire company close for that day thereby angering any existing customers who can't reach anyone about their account?

Yeah, that bugged me to no end.

Speaking of kids, there's an underlying theme that you really can't be in the ad business without neglecting your family life. Is that really the case?

[LoveIsJoy]

I was stunned when Hive thought it was a good idea to lump the brands together into the "direct" idea, even though the company specifically, vociferously, and explicitly said they did not want that. They went into the phone conference with such a chip on their shoulders and actually seemed genuinely surprised that the exec was pissed by their approach. How do they stay in business with such a poor attitude? I'm glad they lost.

Count me in as one who didn't really like either presentation. I thought the bowling ball idea was stoo-pid, and the Help+ idea was lame and forgettable.

[misterbfd]

These campaigns were supposed to "get the phones ringing"? Uh... no.

[Heycow]

From an interview with Scott Brown, President of FKM:

Q: Taking your staff's cell phones for 24 hours is a bold move. Had you done anything like that before?

A: We had never done that specifically before. We usually give idea teams days to work on grand challenges. But this time... we didn't have that luxury. So we just thought in order to get the best thinking done from these really smart folks was to take all the distractions away. It's impossible these days to limit all the noise, because with your cell phone, you're working 24/7. Your cell phone now has your whole life on it. But also we set those guys up with great food those 24 hours. We did wine. Awesome coffee.

Q: Did you end up putting your cell phone in the box too?

A: [Laughs] I'll be honest, I did not. Also, there were a bunch of parents in that group -- single moms that needed their phones to make sure the sitter got the kids to bed and stuff. So there had to be some exceptions to the rule.


So not everyone had to give up their phones for 24 hours - there were exceptions. And this was the first time that he had ever done this due to the time constraints.

Edited by Heycow, May 13, 2012 @ 11:29 AM.

[misterbfd]

So not everyone had to give up their phones for 24 hours - there were exceptions.

Including himself. It's good to be the king, sucks to be a peon.