Exam 9: Managing Creativity in Advertising and Ibp

In economic recessions or in other situations requiring downsizing within an agency, which is one of the first positions to be cut?

The textbook suggests that creativity almost always reflects

Scenario 9-2 The Optima Bike Company manufactures broad-tire, three-wheeled and two-wheeled bicycles mostly for the retirement market.Its primary market is seniors, usually those who live in retirement communities where there are clearly designated and safe bike paths.Seniors-and especially the younger baby boomers-like these recreational vehicles because they are easy and safe to ride. The company has had some early successes in Florida, Arizona, and California, where such communities began.Optima now wants to expand to other retirement enclaves.It has learned from two well-conducted consumer research studies that the main way that male retirees buy the Optima line is through the urging of wives who want to exercise in some way other than playing golf.Optima decides to engage an ad agency to capitalize on this consumer insight and promote its bikes to newer golf communities.It asks two agencies to pitch for its business and gives each a meeting in which it conveys the information above.Alpha Agency is based in Miami and insists that its creative team is best suited to promote Optima.Its managers tell the prospective client that this team is well versed in advanced animation techniques and can dramatize the features of Optima's two- and three-wheeled bikes in a dynamic way.They'll focus on how fast they can go and how they can "transform the ride" into an adventure-this has worked in other ads, and this will appeal to the male consumers who need to be lured away from the golf course.Following this initial display of product prowess, they suggest a campaign that demonstrates how the bikes can be customized to be more "comfortable and attractive for the ladies," including pink seat options.They finish by asking whether the brand name can be changed to "something more exciting." Beta Agency is based in Los Angeles and promises to serve as Optima's branding partner.It asserts that its creative philosophy is centered on long-term brand building.Its managers propose that they will develop the right message by applying the research-based consumer insight that women want to use the bikes to entice their husbands to leave the golf course once in a while.They suggest that their successful work in building regional appreciation for brands, such as Sea-Doo water vehicles and Ski-Doo snowmobiles, indicates their prowess in branding similar but not directly competitive brands.They emphasize the difference that Optima offers in the recreational-ride category, and the consumer targets that differ from other brands.They close by complimenting this prospective client on how appropriate the brand name is, given its customer base and likely target consumer. -(Scenario 9-2) Which of the following is one critical item of information that Optima's brand manager should expect to see on the final creative brief to diminish conflicts in the future?

The creative brief is a small document with a big role-in essence, it gets everyone moving in the same direction.

Creatives in ad agencies almost always have ideas just "come" to them, like magic.

Leadership over creative teams involves at least three main tasks, one of which is

Executing an IBP campaign is like performing as a symphony orchestra-many individuals are simultaneously making unique contributions to create a final piece.

Recognize that too much knowledge can stifle creativity.

Keep growing and experiencing, challenging your own comfort zone.

Scenario 9-1 The Xcellent Agency specializes in developing advertising campaigns for smaller retail clients.Xcellent was hired by Shadowleaf Shoes, a small regional chain of six shoe stores, to develop a slogan and specific ads to be used in a three-month newspaper campaign.Shadowleaf's marketing director, Manuel Margolis, was adamant when meeting with the Xcellent account executive, Kia Chin, that the campaign must be catchy and modern to appeal to a target audience that has an active lifestyle and is between the ages of 18 and 35.More importantly, Margolis wanted the slogan to be memorable and unique.Kia Chin, representing Xcellent, developed a campaign and presented it to Margolis, based on the slogan, "Do What You Do in a Shadowleaf Shoe." Visuals included men's legs-different sizes, skin colors, etc.-walking, jogging, dancing, and otherwise moving in all types of Shadowleaf shoes.She felt that this campaign would target young male consumers, but would also get the attention of others regarding its comfortable shoes and would raise awareness of the Shadowleaf brand.After running the ads, the Xcellent Agency won an advertising effectiveness award.It seemed that the surprising and appealing visuals gave the slogan unexpectedly positive social meaning for people of all ages, not just men aged 18 to 35. -(Scenario 9-1) Which individual at the Xcellent agency will be responsible for maintaining a good relationship with Margolis and the Shadowleaf organization?

An old saying applies to the idea of individuality within teams in the world of advertising.It goes like this: "If you and I think alike ..."