From ‘wizards of wank’ to the warriors of wankVizeum
As PR launches go, Vizeum’s was textbook dreadful. Fronted by a bloke called Martyn and little more than a re-badging of an existing media agency with some new jargon thrown in, I’ll remember it as one of the worst beginnings for a new agency brand of all time.
Yes, I was there at the 2003 Vizeum debacle in London, headed by then global COO Martyn Rattle, when the Aegis agency BBJ was rebadged.
I wonder if the new local offering, fronted by Frank Media’s Martyn Thomas, will go the same way.
More on that in a moment but for now, back to the 2003 launch. They hired a swanky auditorium for the press conference. Slightly late, I arrived just as people were sitting down. There were perhaps 20 or so of us. The room darkened almost immediately and the presentation began. Rattle talked at length about how Vizeum was going to be all about “connectology”. The show included a swanky video, backed with a lot of jargon which was both impressive-sounding and impenetrable.
Geez, no holding back… How about you tell us what you really think Tim!
If they’re so good at ‘comprehending motivations’, one does wonder what their motivation for writing incomprehensible poppycock might be.
Or perhaps my grasp of the English language isn’t quite what it should be.
Warriors of waffle?
Maybe the following link should be added to their website …
http://www.potfire.com.au/entertain/wwbingo.htm
Good one Tim!
I totally agree that media agencies can draw very long and tenuous bows in an attempt to differentiate themselves or their offer. You are lucky enough to see them all from an observers perspective. It sounds like it is exhausting.
The proof will be in the doing and we’ll work hard to bring some life into what appears to be some grammatically suspect sentences above.
Sounds like the UK launch of Vizeum made some serious connections with you. Maybe the theory works 😉
Take care,
Lee.
Was the above just another wank?
I always find it amusing how these self proclaimed masters of communication fill their releases with language so obtuse it’s virtually useless as a piece of communication. Does this piece make the perfect connection? I think not…
“Chalk Chalk BOOM”
Wanktastic!
Should’ve just rebranded as BBBJ – wouldn’t that be an upgrade for wankers? 😉
It is hard for media agencies to differentiate their offerings. However, by trying to do so things move on and plans become more creative.
I say let companies be judged by the work they do and the results they achieve for their clients.
Finally, if your are going to have a dig at someone, have the bottle to put your name to it.
James, where are the missing names?
Wanktabulous!
Alexander,
Further up the thread there is Anon and and what I believe to be nicknames.
James
Fair point, James.
Hate anonymice myself…