For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been busy working on some end-of-the-year content (ie. our fourth annual Mighty List, out Wednesday and Friday) and preparing for some big changes early in 2024 (ie. becoming Campaign Canada). Both exercises have me feeling warm and fuzzy—in a Pantone 13-1023 kind of way—for the work I do and the industry I do it in.
As usual, the Mighty List has meant reviewing all of our stories and coverage from the past year, looking for the biggest and best ideas, as well as the coolest campaigns, companies and people we think are worthy of recognition.
Whenever we do this, we’re reminded of just how much interesting, smart and innovative work is being done across the industry. As we debate and discuss our long list, there's a steady stream of “oh yeah,” and “I forgot about that” moments, whenever a memorable piece of creative emerges from the blur of the past 12 months.
But preparing for 2024 has also meant lifting our heads up from the day-to-day of what we've done, to contemplate how we can do better—and by “we” I mean the soon-to-be Campaign Canada—and the industry itself. This latter topic will be a big theme for us in the year ahead.
We’re having conversations with smart people who are passionate about the industry and willing to share their ideas for what can be, not just what's good or bad about what was.
We’re reading new things, listening to new podcasts (this weekend for me it was recent episodes from Lyranda Martin-Evans' “Created” and Aaron Starkman’s "IOFA"—I strongly recommend both), challenging ourselves to look at what we have done from different perspectives, so we can do things differently and better in 2024, backed by engaged and enthusiastic owners excited about the possibilities they see in this market.
While the worlds of advertising and journalism are very different, they are also very similar in that they attract people who are endlessly curious and fascinated by what's new and next.
For journalists it's about trying to make sense of the world around us (what exactly is happening and why), and for advertising it’s the pursuit of creativity—finding fresh ways for your clients to communicate, connect, and solve problems.
So, as journalists focused on advertising and media, we not only get to spend every day looking for what’s new and different, but we get do that in an industry that is equally obsessed with the same things. Sometimes that means light and playful stories about Pantone predicting Peach Fuzz as the colour for the year head (see up top), and other times it’s trying to make sense of something as literally transformative as artificial intelligence.
Not every day on the job crackles with energy and expectation about breaking news and the latest and greatest, because—to state the obvious—not everything new is great. There are many days where the job still feels like a routine, one pitch seems the same as the last, and we’re writing about the same old same old.
I was talking to a friend on the weekend who is feeling especially anxious about the economic outlook for 2024, and there are lots of other disturbing events around the world that can leave one feeling discouraged. But for today at least, as 2023 draws to a close, I’m feeling grateful about working in a job where my most important quality is to remain curious, in and industry that is powered by creativity and imagination.
As usual, the Mighty List has meant reviewing all of our stories and coverage from the past year, looking for the biggest and best ideas, as well as the coolest campaigns, companies and people we think are worthy of recognition.
Whenever we do this, we’re reminded of just how much interesting, smart and innovative work is being done across the industry. As we debate and discuss our long list, there's a steady stream of “oh yeah,” and “I forgot about that” moments, whenever a memorable piece of creative emerges from the blur of the past 12 months.
But preparing for 2024 has also meant lifting our heads up from the day-to-day of what we've done, to contemplate how we can do better—and by “we” I mean the soon-to-be Campaign Canada—and the industry itself. This latter topic will be a big theme for us in the year ahead.
We’re having conversations with smart people who are passionate about the industry and willing to share their ideas for what can be, not just what's good or bad about what was.
We’re reading new things, listening to new podcasts (this weekend for me it was recent episodes from Lyranda Martin-Evans' “Created” and Aaron Starkman’s "IOFA"—I strongly recommend both), challenging ourselves to look at what we have done from different perspectives, so we can do things differently and better in 2024, backed by engaged and enthusiastic owners excited about the possibilities they see in this market.
While the worlds of advertising and journalism are very different, they are also very similar in that they attract people who are endlessly curious and fascinated by what's new and next.
For journalists it's about trying to make sense of the world around us (what exactly is happening and why), and for advertising it’s the pursuit of creativity—finding fresh ways for your clients to communicate, connect, and solve problems.
So, as journalists focused on advertising and media, we not only get to spend every day looking for what’s new and different, but we get do that in an industry that is equally obsessed with the same things. Sometimes that means light and playful stories about Pantone predicting Peach Fuzz as the colour for the year head (see up top), and other times it’s trying to make sense of something as literally transformative as artificial intelligence.
Not every day on the job crackles with energy and expectation about breaking news and the latest and greatest, because—to state the obvious—not everything new is great. There are many days where the job still feels like a routine, one pitch seems the same as the last, and we’re writing about the same old same old.
I was talking to a friend on the weekend who is feeling especially anxious about the economic outlook for 2024, and there are lots of other disturbing events around the world that can leave one feeling discouraged. But for today at least, as 2023 draws to a close, I’m feeling grateful about working in a job where my most important quality is to remain curious, in and industry that is powered by creativity and imagination.
—David Brown
