Advertising, ad campaigns, ad agencies, and the people that make it happen

I have to admit, I am not exactly thrilled with today’s news that BBDO has landed U.S. ad duties for the launch of a 24-hour news channel from the BBC. Apparently the assignment came without a review and stemmed from BBC World News' relationship with AMV BBDO in London. Now as anyone with half a brain knows, Abbot, Meade, Vickers in London is a totally different agency from BBDO in New York. The primary difference being that AMV treats its audience with a modicum of respect, usually acknowledging they have enough intelligence to appreciate witty, well written and thoughtful advertising. BBDO, on the other hand never found a celebrity it didn’t think could fail to sell soda, pretzels and pizza to the ignorant masses of America. Single handedly they have extended the careers of Jason Alexander and Cindy Crawford well past their expiration dates… As for “The Donald,” until the abysmal “Apprentice” came along, he seemed to be in every other commercial BBDO produced. Well, let’s see what they do with “Aunty Beeb.” But, be warned… I’ll be watching you!

Yes indeed... 24/7/365. No celebs. No human interest. No show biz. No pop stars. No psuedo-medical junk. Just news. Wouldn't that be a nice change from CNN?