Is Anything Real Anymore?

Wow, 2 blog posts in one day. I guess I'm making up for the past while.

I was reading an article today in regards to a new ad campaign for a brewery. Creative types can be quite the fickle bunch, as the responses to the ad varied from, praise to insults.

I honestly don't understand why somebody would publicly squash somebody else's work. Verbally okay, but to publicly comment (especially anonymously) seems quite petty. Unless there is something that is universally bad about it (and in our business, nothing published is ever universally bad), then why comment on it. And if so, don't just say "I don't like it" or "been done before", in a business where we try to justify everything, these critics should as least justify their criticism with some sort of thoughtful support. Having said all this, who really cares? As long as the client is happy and it doesn't cause a loss of business to them, then everything should be at least satisfactory.

Another comment that is common amongst all of similar articles, is why is this even newsworthy?

First of all, campaigns come out all the time, why note this particular one? It's been duly noted that the same agencies get coverage and awards year after year. Does that make them better at what they do than most? Or do they just know the right people? A professor once told me that he completely shies away from the concept of awards of any type, not just the industry he's in, but all industries. Unless the award is based on quantifiable measured truths and facts, then it's just a popularity contest judged by a select panel. Because of this, it is completely subjective, where the opinion of an extremely small sample matters. Easily this is where pomp and politics come into play. Who knows whom, the glad handing, the support of particular associations or causes.

It's really all quite sickening when I think about it. How much reputation seems to come into play. While all the work is good and award worthy, how much of it is based on past performance? Or this person knows that person?

In a larger perspective, it really makes me question everything. How many decisions are influenced behind the scenes? Is anything believable anymore?