More cheese Grommit?:

Every Saturday morning, it's my habit to drop the digital and go analogue.

Picking up the current issues of Campaign magazine, NMA, Creative Review, if it's out, and any other marketing mags to hand.

This week I  added 'The Drum', Scotland's advertising and marketing magazine to my pile.

Later, sitting with my cappuccino in Centotre, (epicentre of of the Edinburgh Social Media scene, and a true, real, living breathing Social network if ever there was), I flipped as I sipped, through the media.

In Campaign, reading Trevor Beattie's Private View, I nodded sagely as he gave his whole-hearted approval to Harvey Nick's Wallace & Grommit ads for the new Bristol store opening. (I blogged about this work awhile back. Loved it as soon as I saw it.)

As luck would have it, another advertising luminary, (a 'Head of Marketing' no less), reviewed the self-same HN campaign in the Drum.

Here's her considered view:

Now, I draw no conclusions from this, other than the following.

The cover price of Campaign is a not cheap; £3.60. The Drum's, an even heftier £4.51. (£4.51, I piss you not. And, at my age, that one pee can make all the different. Particularly when travelling.)

But of course, isn't quality always worth paying that little bit more for?

Comments

[mark gorman]

I don't think the review was written by a culturally aware dude man.

[grace]

Did you know the wonderful Wallace and Gromit ads by DDB are now on sale at the Harvey Nichols website? http://shop.harveynichols.com/fcp/Shop/ACCESSORIES/AccessoriesLIMITEDEDITION/?resetFilters=true

[Battlefield Blogger]

Hi, like your blog. I am a 13 year old student who is trying out using blogs. I have quite a few posts and comments already, but it would be great if you could get some more people to visit my blog. It is mainly about living in the Battlefield area. Recently, I have been very interested in plastic bags and the environmental damage they can do. I'll be putting information and film clips on my blog, and seeing how environmentally friendly Battlefield is. Please let others know about me as a youngster trying to get to grips with new technology!

[Chris Miller]

Spooky, Mr C. I left a comment on the Drum's review page contrasting the reviewer's dismal assessment of the Harvey Nicks ads with Trev Beattie's eulogy in Campaign. Someone had posted a rather brutal remark before me on the site. So I left what I thought was a tactful comment.

http://www.thedrum.co.uk/indepth/1659-creative-review-vera-malhotra-bakemark-uk

[adrian jeffery]

She didn't know that Wallace and Gromit are GODS in Bristol. It never occurred to her to find out why Harvey Nick's had used them. Putting work up for review.... In Campaign you fear it will not be judged good enough, in the Drum you fear the judges aren't good enough.

[Darcie]

I could not believe when I read the Drum's Creative Reviewer's comments. My jaw hit the floor - this person works in advertising/marketing/media?! I was embarrassed for them. Completely over their empty head I'm afraid.

[epc]

£4.51? They had to go for the extra pence, didn't they?

[Leon]

Which just goes to show again, that you can't buy taste.

The Harvey Nichols stuff is envy-invoking.

[David Petherick]

Being a cheap SOB, I normally read such quality rags at the public library. But £4.51 - the Drum really are taking the p. "A bit of an unusual choice." Oh, Oscar Wilde, eat your heart out at this rapier-like wit and withering insight. But shurely it's spelt 'rationale', isn't it?

Just thinking, perhaps you shoudl suggest to the fine management of Centotre that they should invest in a few suitable subscriptions? I am sure the additional footfall of social media types supping Italian beverages and rufflign through the pages of these would be a good ROI.

They just need to remember to add a big 'stolen from' branded sticker on top of every page - in case I pop in, and am pressed for time.

Or perhaps you could organise a Social Media magazine swapping coffee morning tweetup Mike? I've got a fairly recent copy of 'Hello' I can bring...

PS: So, this being Saturday, is this an analogue blog then?