I had a client recently who consistently insisted they wanted to be “bold” but then shot down everything but the most mundane options. (It’s not the first time it’s happened.) Bold, but still a name that sounds like every other name in the industry. Bold, but still a blue color palette, of course. Bold, but still a sans serif wordmark like the competitors have. 🤷🏻♂️
I remember doing this for the rollout of a newly established internal service organization. My idea was something like “the promise of <org name>”, with a dual meaning of 1) the organization having a promising future, and 2) the organization promising to provide trustworthy service. I pitched it to a roomful of execs and got total silence. It completely escaped them. Even after painfully walking them through the thought process all they could do was poke imaginary holes. So frustrating.
Oh if people knew the kinds of excruciating conversations marketing folks had to put things out into the world….
I once pitched a headline for a bank loan that said, “it’s ok to ugly cry when you qualify for your first mortgage.” It was killed by the client because they thought it was also saying that it wasn’t ok to cry otherwise?!
This is so funny. And so sad.
I relate. So much.
I had a client recently who consistently insisted they wanted to be “bold” but then shot down everything but the most mundane options. (It’s not the first time it’s happened.) Bold, but still a name that sounds like every other name in the industry. Bold, but still a blue color palette, of course. Bold, but still a sans serif wordmark like the competitors have. 🤷🏻♂️
Yep, yep, yep.
Near my home is Prescott National Forest. The big signs say "Prescott National Forest." And under that, their slogan: "Land of Many Uses."
Here someone would have spray-painted "STOLEN" in front of "Land."
I’ll take $500 for things that didn’t happen, Alex.
/s
(I think there are “didn’t happen” bots who are automated to reply this to any personal story, especially ones told by women…)
I've been told on social media that I should fess up that I'm not really a woman. Is that a bot telling me that?
Could be. The use of AI on social media is much more prevalent. Attacking certain groups, including women, seems to be a favorite thing….
However, never underestimate the anti-trans folks. 😞
I assumed it was just an insane human troll!
Likely!
I remember doing this for the rollout of a newly established internal service organization. My idea was something like “the promise of <org name>”, with a dual meaning of 1) the organization having a promising future, and 2) the organization promising to provide trustworthy service. I pitched it to a roomful of execs and got total silence. It completely escaped them. Even after painfully walking them through the thought process all they could do was poke imaginary holes. So frustrating.
Yes. Particularly in old school health care businesses. Really tough to sell creative, clear, and compelling messaging.
Oh if people knew the kinds of excruciating conversations marketing folks had to put things out into the world….
I once pitched a headline for a bank loan that said, “it’s ok to ugly cry when you qualify for your first mortgage.” It was killed by the client because they thought it was also saying that it wasn’t ok to cry otherwise?!
Brave ideas need brave clients. Sadly, it doesn't always happen.
"Be Well" has zero negative connotations, even for those who would never be well again.
They didn't "get it."