The Clubhouse, Vol. 23

BUSINESS AS UNUSUAL
 
Hello!

It's been a while, we know. But it's so good to see you back.

It feels weird, doesn't it? A bit illicit, somehow. 
I know it's all legally above board now, but you can't help but wonder. 

We've taken all the necessary precautions, of course. You'll smell the disinfectant. We've got our masks on, and we will keep our distance, thank you very much.

We've cut the invites list right down, too. Two readers at a time, tops. So if you're seeing this, be grateful - and don't touch anything. Or breathe too heavily.

And do please try to enjoy yourself.

THE CREEPY WORLD OF THE SPINNER
Where digital marketing and mind control meet
 
What if you could use digital marketing techniques to influence specific people to do specific things? That's the premise of thespinner.net, a service that allows you to create campaigns that follow your target around the internet, feeding them editorial content that aims to change their thinking.

It's sinister but interesting, and raises a lot of questions about the ethics of online advertising.

POETRY FOR SALE
Exploring the relationship between poetry and advertising
 
We really enjoyed this Radio 4 documentary by poet and fellow copywriter Rishi Dastidar. The two disciplines are probably more closely related than either would care to admit - but capable of making beautiful, profitable things happen when they work together.
 
This fits rather nicely with a poem that we recently spotted, called 'The First Lines Of Emails I've Received While Quarantining'.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT WHAT ADVERTISERS THINK THEY WANT
Is it time to reconsider motivations?
 
A new study shows that most people care a lot less about fame, wealth and expensive possessions than marketing and advertising professionals think. What does that mean for the way we communicate?

(You have to sign up to Campaign to read this one, but it is free).

THE ART OF DECK MAKING
Just don't call it a p*werp*int
 
And now for something straightforwardly useful. An advertising art director's guide to making a visually effective pitch deck. Whether you're selling an idea for a car ad or presenting a financial roundup, you'll find some great tips for making it look good here. 

I WENT BACK IN TIME TO STOP ALL THIS, BUT I ENDED UP GIVING IT TO EVERYONE WAY EARLIER, AND NOW IT’S A LOT WORSE

'Hey everyone, first off: apologies are in order. I’m super sorry. I thought I was doing a good thing.'

FORMULA ONE VS. COVID 19
We will race again
 
As you can imagine, the Coronavirus has been the subject of a lot of our words recently. We enjoyed helping Formula One with the script for this brilliant film about their teams' inspiring response to the virus.