Contributed by John Martin, Art Director.
For two years now, I’ve been an avid follower of Dave. He’s become a mentor, an advisor and a friend of sorts. The funny thing is, I’ve never met him.
I was reading an article on blogging in the Sunday Times and, at the end of the piece, there was a list of recommended blogs. Since I work in advertising, I decided to check out the highly-rated blog written by copywriter and creative-thinker Dave Trott.
I logged on and was immediately hooked. Dave’s blogs are brimming with anecdotes, experiences, accidents, incidents, quotes and moments from history. He uses personal experiences, stories from his years working as a copywriter, and some absolute gems of advice that have been passed down from generations of creatives.
He’s a big fan of Bill Bernbach (every creative’s mentor) but admires all thinkers and dreamers who broke the mould and had to fight to get their ideas believed in. Darwin, Newton, Plato, Picasso, Hirst, Hitchcock and Spielberg, to name a few.
He loves the fighting spirit of Winston Churchill, Brian Clough, Mohammed Ali and his big sister. (She once looked an armed mugger in the eye, dared him to nick her handbag and then scared him off.)
His blog triumphs creative thinking, being different and being a bit of an odd ball, and the importance of being a rebel, being fearless and never giving up.
Reading his blog is empowering stuff. But it’s not just for creative folk, its great advice for having a good attitude to life. Here’s a humorous anecdote below.
When I worked at BMP, the head of Television commuted in from Brighton ever day.
He started reading The Exorcist on the train.
He said he thought it was the most evil book he’d ever read.
In fact, he said it was so evil he couldn’t finish it.
So at the weekend, he went to the end of Brighton Pier and threw it as far as he could.
So I went to the bookshop.
I bought another copy.
Then I ran it under the tap.
And left it in his desk drawer.
For him to find.
You can buy his book ‘Creative Mischief’ somewhere online.
I started in advertising when there were things called paper and markers. Moved around town a bit, then changed religion and transposed myself from traditional to digital. Thinks a lot, moans a bit, drinks a little.
I started in advertising when there were things called paper and markers. Moved around town a bit, then changed religion and transposed myself from traditional to digital. Thinks a lot, moans a bit, drinks a little.
Good one, John. I’m a big fan of the man, and almost everything he says. Don’t get the double spacing on the lines, but then what art director ever really knew how to set copy?
:D