Recent Posts
A copywriting lesson from a children’s book
I bought the most beautiful book the other day – ‘On a Beam of Light – A Story of Albert Einstein’. It’s by Jennifer Berne with pictures by Vladimir Radunksy.
It’s that lovely combination of just the right words set against gorgeous illustrations that make the best children’s books so enchanting and memorable.
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Apostrophe atrocity – even museums make mistakes
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Go on admit it. I bet when you see those chalk boards outside shops and cafes, with their incorrectly placed or missing apostrophes, you’re tempted to do something about it aren’t you? I know I am. But I don’t think I’d ever go as far as this museum visitor who whipped out their ballpoint to correct an error on an information board.
So you think English is complex? Try getting to grips with regional dialects
“Could a new phonetic alphabet promote world peace?” asked a recent BBC online article. Apparently backers of the idea believe it will ‘make pronunciation easy and foster international understanding.’
Well,l I don’t know that simplifying language would promote world peace but I’d be the first to admit that the English language can be a nightmare. I have no idea how people from other countries ever get to grips with its quirkiness and complexity. And then there’s our rich and varied regional dialects…
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Can you inherit a memory?
“What would you like your children to inherit? A house? A clock? The family silver? Or something a little more valuable?” So begins the new TV ad from Center Parcs
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The voiceover is followed by images of families doing lots of fun stuff outdoorsy together set to one of my favourite tracks – ‘Sweet Disposition’ by Australian band The Temper Trap.
The ad ends with an excellent strapline: “Memories start here.” So far, so good.
I hate to be picky (really, I do) but can you really inherit a memory? Surely, memories are individual and personal, and based on experience. Otherwise wouldn’t it be a bit like Bladerunner, you know when the nasty Tyrell Corporation implants other people’s memories into the ‘replicants’ they’ve created?
You can read or listen to someone else’s memories of course, but surely the point of the ad is that a Center Parcs holiday creates lasting memories for the people who experienced it. You had to be there in other words.
I know that Adland stretches language and grammar – and often to good effect, but this is a stretch too far for me.
Great images, great strapline, and of course that glorious soundtrack through!
Five things you should know before dealing with the media
Guest post by Nicky Rudd, MD, Padua Communications
Dealing with journalists can be tricky – especially if you’re not used to it. I asked Nicky Rudd, seasoned PR practitioner and managing director of Padua Communications, to share her experience.
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