Rod Serling Quotes

I recently came across this collection of quotes about writing and just had to share them. Ken Miyamoto from Screencraft.org took the time to put together a list of his favorite quotes from the late Rod Serling, creative mastermind of the Twilight Zone. His most common topic is screenwriting, but they can easily be transcribed over to the field of copywriting. I’ve pasted in a few of my faves below, but please check out the entire article:

https://screencraft.org/2016/08/31/31-must-read-screenwriting-lessons-twilight-zone-creator-rod-serling

 

“This is, if not a lifetime process, it’s awfully close to it. The writer broadens, becomes deeper, becomes more observant, becomes more tempered, becomes much wiser over a period time passing. It is not something that is injected into him by a needle. It is not something that comes on a wave of flashing, explosive light one night and say, ‘Huzzah! Eureka! I’ve got it!’ and then proceeds to write the great American novel in eleven days. It doesn’t work that way. It’s a long, tedious, tough, frustrating process, but never, ever be put aside by the fact that it’s hard.”

 

“Being like everybody is like being nobody.”

 

“Coming up with ideas is the easiest thing on earth. Putting them down is the hardest.”

 

“Somehow, some way, incredibly enough, good writing ultimately gets recognized. If you’re a really good writer and deserve that honored position, then by God, you’ll write, and you’ll be read.”

 

SOURCE: screencraft.org

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Subaru Mediocrity

This is a great campaign from about five years ago that just popped into my head again recently. It’s obvious why I never forgot it; just a truly fun idea that’s incredibly well written. They found a unique way to sell a Subaru—by creating its exact opposite, a car that’s the embodiment of automotive vapidity. Then they mocked it perfectly through a series of exquisitely written parodies. A sign of a good client is one that appreciates a solid satire of their industry.

See the full campaign here: http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2010/subaru-fight-mediocrity

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AGENCY: Carmichael Lynch

SOURCES: theinspirationroom.com and behance.net/laserbread

IKEA Share The Bathroom Digital

In our hard-charging search to find great uses of writing throughout the advertising sphere, we have so far neglected to post anything in the digital space.

That comes to an end today with this fun execution for IKEA. To promote the store’s bathroom products, they encouraged consumers to write their own customizable banner ads, aimed at the people they share a washroom with. So their lavatory cohabitants received a message written directly for them as a banner ad only they could see. I can just imagine how many inappropriate uses of bathroom humor were probably attempted.

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Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto

Source: Commarts

2016 D&AD Writing Award Winners

I make a claim in the About section of this site, and in the Communication Arts article I wrote (Hey, CA, How About a Writing Annual?) that there are no industry awards for best copywriting. Well, I was wrong. Shame on me for not being aware that the D&AD Awards have a category called “Writing for Advertising.” Thank you D&AD, from ad scribes everywhere, for this recognition to our craft.

Here’s a link to this year’s winners. It’s all truly outstanding work.

2016 D&AD Writing Winners

 

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Mobank Print

Here’s a great campaign submitted by its writer, Brad Hamilton. (Writers, we’d love for more of you to submit your favorite personal pieces!)

It’s not often that “fun” and “bank client” go together, but it appears that Mobank, a Missouri bank, is a financial institution that appreciates great writing and creativity. If you’re working on a tough bank client, please send them this to illustrate what’s possible. Great writing will add luster to any brand.

 

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Agency: Trozzolo

Source: Brad Hamilton

Dos Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World” Radio

You may have already heard the unfortunate news—the Dos Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World” campaign is ending. In honor of the many writers who’ve kept the campaign so fresh and amazing over the years, I thought it appropriate to publish our first radio commercial post (we’re long overdue for a radio spot on here, being that it’s such a pure writer’s medium). In addition, I’ve found a bunch of the best one-liners from the spots over the years.

Stay thirsty my friends.

 

 

He gave his father “the talk.”

Once a rattlesnake bit him, after 5 days of excruciating pain, the snake finally died.

The line for his Cinco de Mayo party starts forming on Ocho de Febrero.

He once went to the psychic, to warn her.

He can speak Russian… in French.

He never says something tastes like chicken.. not even chicken.

Bear hugs are what he gives bears.

He once brought a knife to a gunfight… just to even the odds.

His signature won a Pulitzer.

When a tree falls in a forest and no one is there, he hears it.

Sharks have a week dedicated to him.

His business card simply says ‘I’ll Call You.”

In museums, he is allowed to touch the art.

He has taught old dogs a variety of new tricks.

He has won the lifetime achievement award… twice.

When he was young he once sent his parents to his room.

He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels.

Mosquitoes refuse to bite him purely out of respect.

His pillow is cool on BOTH sides.

Time waits on no one, but him.

His mother has a tattoo that says “Son.”

 

 

Agency: Havas Worldwide, New York

Sources: YouTube, Reddit

Denny’s Twitter Feed

I received a comment recently asking why the majority of my posts are print ads. Well, print ads are typically the easiest to find, but the purpose of this site is to showcase outstanding writing being done in all facets of the business. So with that, I present to you the Denny’s twitter feed. It’s ridiculous, hilarious, at times even deranged, but once you start scrolling through the tweets, it’s hard to stop. Absolutely super fun writing.

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https://twitter.com/DennysDiner

 

Agency: Erwin Penland

Source: Entrepreneur.com