So by Day 3, normally there have been one or two agency
presentations that have not lived up to our expectations as consultants but
this year, the standard is extremely high and very competitive - so we have not been disappointed. In
general the US agencies believe that the economy is improving and that business
is picking up – they see this in the quantity of new work that is being
commissioned by clients.
I think it is also important to add from the IAS perspective
– that we do not share any of the confidential information that we are
presented with during this important week. As consultants we are privy to
a great deal of information from both agencies and clients and our value is
being objective and able to assist both parties.
The notes that I am sharing in this daily blog are really a
summary of observations or of any important comments made during the course of
the day.
Day 3 of the Summit always includes an hour or two of rest
in the afternoon – which is always very welcome after two consecutive 14 hour
days of non stop meetings until 22.00 most evenings.
This morning we met with Critical Mass – a digital agency
born in Canada and now with 700 employees in US, UK, Hong Kong and South
America as well as Calgary, Canada. Let by a very impressive female
CEO, the agency shared their focus with us which is delivering cumulative
Customer experiences for clients. An excellent presentation, very
informative and a great start to our day.
Some interesting case studies for Nissan – Usain Bolt,
Clorox – Green Works and the adidas – make it mine campaign at miadidas.com.
We moved on to the McCann Group whose network includes
23 000 staff members across many countries. McCann works hard at making
sure that they have a global network of agencies with at least 65% local
business – the model is not perfect yet – it is work in progress. Some
magnificent creative work which has won major awards this year at every major
competition and for which they are justifiably proud.
Lots is planned for the Africa continent so watch this
space.
We met briefly with the brand new Publicis Worldwide CEO,
Arthur Sadoun, after lunch – he shared with us his early thoughts
on the positioning of the Publicis brand in the Publicis/Omnicom Group.
After a two hour break we met with Sapient Nitro –
they meet with us as consultants each year at Ad Forum and always have a great
deal of news to share. Now numbering 10 000 people with offices in many
parts of the world, we are hoping that South Africa will be next on their list
of countries – and certainly if business warrants it and clients need it I am
told that an office can be opened in a week. They talked to us about
their culture, philosophy and – most importantly – the drive to attract the
greatest talent. From a business growth perspective they are looking at double
digit growth this year.
And so – once again – after an excellent dinner and charming
hosts, we wend our weary way back to the hotel ready to sleep a few hours
before Day 4 which looks like this:
Thursday 10 October
8.30 - 10.30
am
Steve Harding, Global CEO, Geometry (Breakfast)
The Chocolate Factory, (Ogilvy), 636 11th Ave., (bet. 46th & 47th Sts.)
Lobby Level Theater
11.00 - 1.00
pm
David Jones, Global CEO, Havas Worldwide (Lunch)
200 Hudson St. (just below Canal St.)
1.30 – 2.15
pm
Michael Roth, CEO, Interpublic
1114 Avenue of the Americas, (43rd and 6th Ave)
2:30 - 3.00 pm Tara Back, President,, Jack Morton (@ IPG
offices)
4.00 – 5:30
pm
Brian Prowley, President, iCrossing
300 W. 57th St., (bet. Eighth & Ninth Aves.)
6.45
pm
Cocktails & Dinner hosted by AdForum
L’Apicio, 13 E. 1st St., (bet. Bowery & Second Ave.)
Looking forward to meeting with Geometry tomorrow – Ogilvy’s
newest agency and also just opened in South Africa – and to seeing my former
colleague Howard Smiedt – a South African now in London and ECD of this newest
agency.
More tomorrow.
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