Went to the Roxie last night to check out the documentary "Art & Copy"...a series of interviews with some of advertising's founding fathers and heavy hitters. I loved it. I'm such an ad-groupie. I love this industry. I wouldn't work in any other if I can help it.
I love creatives. Art Directors, Copywriters, and even the Account people and Production people who work around creatives. They're quirky and crazy and genius and fun and grouchy and sarcastic...what's not to love.
There was one especially impactful moment in the movie that spoke to me directly. As the head of HR at an ad agency, what's my role in all of this? I believe it was either Jeff Goodby or Lee Clow that said it, but basically, he mentions how creatives set themselves up for failure all the time. Ideas born with blood, sweat, and tears can be shot down in a heartbeat and it essentially can feel like a personal failure. He goes on to say how its so important that that's not lost on anybody and the agency's responsibility is to create a culture where it understands the fragile nature of that process and a safe place where ideas can be presented and failures can be accepted. I loved that. Building a culture that makes it safe for people to take risks and to fail every now and again. That's my role...
In any case, even if you're not in advertising, if you want to just be reminded of all those iconic commercials, jingles, and ads over the years...and if you just want to laugh at a bunch of brilliant curmudgeons, I highly recommend the movie.
