The 2019 Weepies
The holidays tend to be an emotional time. There’s a lot of lots. Lots of togetherness. Lots of food. Lots of stress, crowds, and expenses. Lots of people you haven’t …
Ads I Wish I’d Made
I’ve been interested in advertising — like, as in doing advertising — since I was a little kid. I was about seven when my cousins came to visit and brought …
Dear Baby Creatives: How to fill an empty copywriting portfolio
Dear Baby Copywriters, Congratulations on choosing one of the few fields that let you use your creative writing skills while also making an amount of money. I’m sorry that all …
How to do Black Friday ethically (or, even better, not at all)
My first grownup job out of college was at the Atlanta bureau of a national fashion-industry publication. Believe it or not, I kind of loved it. (I also made it …
Three socially aware ads that did their best
(Full disclosure: Yes, I’m a ball-busting, man-hating, bra-burning, hairy-legged feminist. I’m sure you’re shocked.) (Clarification, because I know some folks will need it: I’m not actually all of those things. …
Ways of making you talk: How to be a better interviewer
You wouldn’t think someone who’s introverted nearly to the point of misanthropy would be a badass interviewer, but I’m full of surprises. I think it’s because I love hearing stories, …
Everyone hates your autoplay videos.
Farmers Insurance Group recently pulled a million-dollar advertising deal with G/O Media after editorial staff spoke openly about how autoplay video ads are the absolute worst. Things haven’t been smooth …
Five underappreciated advertising icons worthy of a Halloween costume
Mr. Clean. The Brawny Man. The Jolly Green Giant (and the Little Green Sprout). Don’t get me wrong — they’re all classic costumes, and any advertising professional should be proud …
Lies, damned lies, and statistics: How to avoid the first two when using the third
Someone, and I’m not going to say who, but I am going to say he shares a bed with me at night and isn’t a flatulent rat terrier, likes to …
Four things you should be able to expect from your freelance copywriter
So you’ve decided to hire a freelance copywriter. Your staff is overworked, or you’re entering a growth phase, or a huge new initiative just dropped on you, or you tried …