The secrets we were privy to usually saw the sun for two weeks on the back page of the mag and then were hidden forever. Not any more. Welcome to Off the Record online March edition – where the dirt goes from static to shareable.
Don't forget if you want to be in the know, as it happens, you can get the goss direct to your iPad or subscribe in print here.
Captains of invention
OTR’s ears always prick up when he hears about agencies moving into product invention - and it seems he’s not the only one. Discussing the trend with an agency insider, OTR remarked that any information on these innovation hubs seems to be fleeting, our insider thinks that’s because “it’s all talk and no action”. Seems like these agencies are inventing something after all.
The oracle
The Oracle knows all, but no one likes a know-it-all. It’s etiquette for conference speakers to ask questions of fellow panellists – but the idea is to let them answer, not do the whole Q&A yourself.
Cricket lads
Cricket is the epitome of a gentleman’s sport. The agency and media owner world demonstrated that perfectly at the recent Big Clash charity game for UnLtd. It saw the media agency side win back some respect on the pitch by beating the reigning champions in the second annual event. It’s a shame one gentleman didn’t get the memo about respecting ladies on and off the field.
Tripster
The star of a women’s clothing brand’s latest campaign may not be as wholesome and she comes off in the new commercial. In fact, we have it on good authority that she likes to dabble in few psychedelics, and we don’t mean rainbow printed t-shirts.
Bulldozing ambition
One ex-radio head turned-ad tech entrepreneur has his wires in more than one socket. He’s also a closet hotelier thanks to a recent purchase, but there’s a reason why he may be a bit hush hush. It’s a bit of a cheap dump he confesses - so much so that people have died there in the past. OTR will not be booking a room - until the place gets bulldozed and replaced with plush apartments, that is.
Sporting details
The devil is in the detail, particularly for a sporting nation. On the topic of sporting achievements, someone that should know better was trumpeting Cathy Freeman’s Sydney Olympic 200m gold medal run and the Socceroos Asia Cup triumph over China. They could have been memorable moments, except Freeman actually won the 400m gold and the Socceroos triumphed over Korea last year.
Old dog new tricks
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but one media group seems to think you can by the looks of one recent hire.
Compliments of the chief
OTR’s esteemed AdNews colleagues don’t want for compliments, but usually they’re about the work. One agency boss kicked their reputation as a charmer up a gear, giving OTR plenty of compliments of a different nature at a recent awards ceremony. From what we hear, OTR certainly wasn’t the only one either.
Not so jolly
A couple of media honchos were overheard laughing about how a certain rival media boss was swanning off to SXSW during an epic swathe of pitches – a sure sign it would mean a guaranteed loss for the business. Turns out that jolly was cancelled at the last minute. Who’s laughing now?
A switch without a pitch
One media mogul has been spending, not months but over a year, harnessing a potential new account. Keep your eyes peeled as there’s set to be a big brand media agency switch off the back of this grooming – and it’s set to be a straight switch without a pitch.
18 months and out
OTR loves a healthy rivalry in the agency business, but one CEO had some choice words about a competitor embarking on a new role. We won’t tell you the particular words used, but we will unveil how long our CEO thinks their rival will be in the role: no more than 18 months.
All’s fair in love and awards
Awards are contentious and OTR expected a few sideways glances for some trophies at the recent AdNews Agency of the Year Awards from finalists that didn’t win. But one creative type who’s just stepped down from a post was so upset on a rival agency’s behalf that it didn’t win more metal, perhaps a not-so-subtle signal of where his next gig is.
Sore head
OTR had a very sore head the day after the AdNews Agency of the Year Awards but wasn’t the only one. One particular reveller was spied head in hands looking particularly worse for wear before a big meeting the very next morning.
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