The SPUR video series by Red Scout is heating up. In episode 3, the featured ‘star’ planners of this project give their two cents toward the question, “Are planners glorified researchers?” The responses are similar yet distinct. Check back soon for my video response to episode 1. Hopefully I’ll get around to ep 2 and 3 responses by next week.

Redscout presents Spur — Episode 3: Are planners glorified researchers? from Redscout on Vimeo.

For those that are familiar with the world of advertising, this is a momentous occasion. As top planners/strategists debate our role in the ‘process’ over at PSFK (Redscout presents SPUR), Nick Barham has demonstrated the growth of the planning discipline. He is truly someone who came to the table with a knife, fork, and appetite. Cheers to him!

John C Jay, the W+K’s global executive creative director adds, “the qualifications for a true creative director have evolved beyond craft and management”. Jay noted that “broader skills are required in order to lead brands with speed and cultural relevancy”. He also added that Barham had played a key role in creative processes, such as developing documentaries, music videos, event websites and applications at Wieden & Kennedy since joining in 2006.

Let this be a lesson to all aspiring and current planners. The Sky’s the Limit. No Ceilings.

via Media.Asia

A brand development shop by the name of Red Scout has hit the web with a video series called SPUR. Hosted by PSFK.com, this series explores the intersection of brands, strategy, innovation and the world of account planning. Check the list of participants below:

• Douglas Atkin, Writer; Partner & Chief Community Officer of MeetUp.com
• Devika Bulchandani, Chief Strategy Officer; McCann Erickson
• Dan Cherry, Managing Partner, Director of Brand Strategy; Anomaly
• Piers Fawkes, Founder; PSFK
• John Gerzema, Chief Insights Officer; Young & Rubicam
• Heidi Hackemer, Senior Planner; BBH
• Robin Hafitz, Chief Strategic Officer; Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal & Partners
• Sally Jones, Founder; Tangerine
• Gareth Kay, Director of Digital Strategy; Goodby & Silverstein
• Hank Leber, Founder; Agency Nil and Associate Planner, McKinney
• Domenico Vitale, Founder; People, Ideas & Culture
• Freya Williams, Global Planning Director; Ogilvy Earth
• Paul Woolmington, Founding Partner; Naked Communications NY, Global Partner of Naked Communications

Red Scout contends that over the course of the next few weeks they will show you the planning elite, the planning rebels, and the planning newbies. Let’s see what conversation this series will start. I know Suits is Watching…

Teaser Video

For all my fellow account planners on Google Wave remember to check Planners Who Wave.

via PSFK