Review: AdWeek 12th August, 2022

I was looking forward to this weeks AdWeek because of the interview with Pharrell Williams, did it disappoint? And, are there other things worth noting in this weeks issue?

In this issue: INSIGHTS and TRENDS YOU NEED TO KNOW has a brilliant article on RISE OF THE ZOMBIE BRAND by JESS ZAFARRIS that is well worth the read. I had heard this term tossed around a lot in the last couple of months and now – I get it – the article is thought provoking and a little bit dark on what is happening to older brands in the new world.

Next, the article on buyers in the Television industry’s UPFRONT SHOWCASE was interesting (only because I used to work in TV) but also because it gives an indication on the thoughts of major brands and media buyers right now.

The first of 3 articles coming from Kathryn Lundstrom is a series on climate action and media, and, was very good. TAKING ON BIG OIL’S MESSAGING by a non-profit who is trying to inspire radical climate action by delivering scientific facts with a humorous twist. I can’t wait to read the other 2 parts of this.

Raja Rajamannar’s article on the Trust Economy is all about how companies can earn good brand karma – and a damn good read too.

Next – my favourite part of AdWeek – DATAPOINTS & the Trust of Influencers – again I have got this now on my wall and am looking at it how to use that data with my clients.

An interesting read – and possible great promo idea for a radio station with a good group of sponsors on board is BETTER LIVING THROUGH SELF-CARE (AND WINE), about Kim Crawford’s summer-long camp, and how Kim embraced our ‘eagerness for self-discovery’ was written by Eva Kis and I found it entertaining and informative – like I said a great idea for us in radio.

Next AdWeek took up the bulk of the issue with Brand Geniuses, and while interesting, I was eager to get to Pharrell Williams article – so I admit I jumped the gun and went straight to that. It was interesting, but I felt a bit cheated – I wanted more details.

Sure we know Pharrell Williams can sing, has his own branded clothing lines, etc – but, as usual I was trying to pull the information back to what we can do on radio… I got a couple of ideas out of the story – but only a couple. The one big one was the strong use by Pharrell of cross promotion – something that I truly believe in.

The rest of the issue was heavy with other Brand Geniuses, and I flicked through it, but no-one article really grabbed me.

So yet again another issue of AdWeek hits the stands, and I find very little about radio in it – again.

Oh well!