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

W+K NY got this list from NPR. How many of these records have you listened to? Have they inspired you to create, do, or think? In bold are my favorite 10 from the list.


What are yours?

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For their client Levi’s, W+K, Portland has developed an American treasure hunt game worth $100,000 to the eventual winner. The game is built around an imaginary 19th-century figure, Grayson Ozias IV, who is said to be a friend of the nephew of Levi Strauss. The search is for his buried treasure, put in the ground during the gold rush. The game will have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – along with giving the eventual winner a chance to dig up a box containing the 100k. The winner will also be given a chance to nominate and vote for a nonprofit organization, based in the United States, that will receive a $100,000 gift from Levi’s. Here’s where to begin the hunt.

This is very American…

via Planner Reads