Kairn selects Firehaus for next stage of growth

New entrant to the shaving and skincare sector Kairn, has selected Firehaus to develop its Brand Idea.

The brand has completed an initial phase of product development, which has seen excellent results in-market, and is now planning for the next phase of growth.

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Ian Bates
Extinction rebellion: Why diversity in advertising must prevail

Our response to the current status quo must be to step up our efforts to knock down walls.

Rachel Cooke's recent article in The Observer on lack of diversity in the advertising industry (Sexism in advertising: 'They talk about diversity but they don't want to change') made for shocking if unsurprising reading. A catalogue of issues - the size of gender pay gaps, cultures of silence around discrimination, the scarcity of true representation in creative output - painted a picture of an industry very much on the back foot. Out of touch. The sharp contrast between the forward-thinking bravery we extol for our clients and the entrenched, conservative behaviours we practice feels at best deeply ironic. At worst duplicitous.

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Guest User
Don't accept marketing as it is

Should we in marketing and communications accept the world-as-it-is, or look to make the world-as-it-should-be?

A while ago I went to an interesting APG event on what makes a great marketing strategist. There were great points made which others summarised at the time, but the bit that really stuck with me was the various speakers' reflections on changes in marketing strategy and by extension marketing generally. They all basically made the same point:

"When I started, I had time and training, and that was good. However, the world has changed so marketing needs to too, and you can't have what I had."

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Nick Barthram
The Joy of Creativity

For marketers seeking fulfilment

During my wonderful sojourn of Watching/Reading/Writing/Waiting, I’ve listened too. Actually, done a lot of it.

What’s been unsettling to hear is that brilliant people I’ve known for years and new entrants to the industry alike, are unfulfilled. Even celebrated figures have admitted it once they’re off the podium. And not just creatives, across the board. Brands and agencies. Big and small. Weird isn’t. A creative industry that people don’t seem to be enjoying.

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Ian Bates