Crispin detractors praying for layoffs there
—Posted by Brian Morrissey |
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They'd be more likely to quit paying people, lock them into the Boulder warehouse, and not let them leave. All while Alex uses his exercise equipment that no one else can touch.
Posted by: peanut gallery | Jan 11, 2008 9:58:37 AM
I doubt there's gonna be any layoffs, they're making plenty of money, have lots of accounts, do lots of work, I don't think they can afford to be understaffed. I don't know about Alex exercise equipment, but the office in Miami has a gym on the third floor for all CP&B employees.
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 11, 2008 10:23:37 AM
Why do you persist in labeling people who offer legitimate criticisms of Crispin as "haters?" This kind of name calling does not exactly invite intelligent debate.
That said, it's ludicrous to contemplate Crispin laying off anyone at this juncture -- especially since they're the odds-on favorite to win Microsoft.
And Bobby, for someone who doesn't work at Crispin, you sure seem to know an awful lot about them.
Posted by: Steve Randall | Jan 11, 2008 10:51:35 AM
Steve,
Perhaps, although I haven't come across an agency that evokes such strong reactions. CPB seems to be the Yankees or Patriots of the industry: many admire their continued success, while just as many can't stand them. Much of the debate about the "most overrated" agency poll was reasoned. In the past, however, it hasn't been. The idea that CPB is as likely as those other shops to have layoffs, to me, indicates a degree of irrationality.
Posted by: Brian M. | Jan 11, 2008 11:22:05 AM
I actually really appreciate some of what Crispin has done. I also know they foster an internal culture which is not healthy or balanced by any stretch of the imagination. And I also think that most of their recent work, though innovative, lacks sophistication or subtlety. But that's just my personal taste.
Posted by: peanut gallery | Jan 11, 2008 11:29:39 AM
CP+B might have layoffs come Juneish when Volkswagen leaves the client roster (oops did i say that out loud...sorry).
I don't think they can lay people off because they don't have enough people now to support what they have for workload. Like most shops that claim to get digital, they send almost all of it out and beat up on vendors.
Besides, the VW team should be good at selling pizza online, so that should work out great for them.
Posted by: debo | Jan 11, 2008 11:50:49 AM
There is much truth to what you say, Brian. You acquit yourself well, good sir.
But should we label the people who admire Crispin "ass-kissers" or "brown nosers?"
I do agree with you, however, that anyone who votes Crispin as being the most likely to lay people off is either jealous or delusional.
Posted by: Steve Randall | Jan 11, 2008 12:13:33 PM
Hi Steve, I know about them because in the second floor. CPB doesn't lease the entire building, just the third floor.
We've used to have problems with CPB playing loud techno music in their gym, the vibrations where horrible, but they're the largest tenant so the building owner was afraid to criticize them. Eventually they did tone it down, I guess lots of people did complain. Have you ever interviewed for them? Their office is quite beautiful, very modern, like a loft. I also hear that some people who work there have gotten divorced, their crazy work hours don't fit well with their marriages. They also have two shifts for production people, one working from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m., or something like that. Like the devil, they never sleep.
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 11, 2008 12:22:54 PM
I haven't been up in Crispin's Miami offices but i walk by there all the time. I waved at someone staring out of their 3rd floor window once. They scowled at me. I wasn't offended, i'm assuming she was on hour #2,348 working on a banner ad for chicken fries, or something.
Posted by: peanut gallery | Jan 11, 2008 12:30:21 PM
Well, that certainly explains why you know about their gym, Bobby. Thanks for sharing that tidbit.
And, no, I've never interviewed there. They'd never hire me and, to be honest, I'm not sure I'd want to work for them. Even though their output is erratic, they still do some terrific stuff. But, as you and others have pointed out, it comes at too great a personal cost. I just don't love advertising that much.
You know the old saying: "No one ever went to their grave wishing they'd spent more time at the office."
Posted by: Steve Randall | Jan 11, 2008 2:23:35 PM
I like your honesty, Steve. Not many people will admit "I just don't love advertising that much." I feel the same way, I like pushing the envelope, but I also like going home, watching TV, playing PS2, watching horror movies, and doing all the stuff that either inspires ideas or entertains you.
When all you do is advertising it stops being fun. I wouldn't say you don't have a chance of being hired by CPB, people get hired for all kinds of reasons. CPB might love your portfolio, it's all subjective.
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 11, 2008 5:13:32 PM
Based on making an issue out of all of this - "Adfreak" might seem to have a bias of its own in favor of Crispin. Does that mean "adweek" is biased too? Their view of all people who criticize Crispin as "haters" might imply so. So, while they may be exposing a true irrational hatred of CPB among the industry in these "experiments", are they also not exposing their own irrational bias in support of that particular agency? These posts from adfreak about how the office of adweek discusses "Crispin-hating hordes" would imply so. What's going on at adweek? Have they lost their journalistic responsibility to be impartial. This stuff hardly seems "newsworthy." It feels more like a popularity contest.
Posted by: What gives? | Jan 11, 2008 5:41:55 PM
What Gives: The nature of polling is popularity, right? If you read the question, though, you'll see that it simply asks what agency will need to cut significant staff. It's a topical issue for the industry, particularly as more signs point to an economy slipping into recession.
As for bias, that's a reliable, albeit unoriginal straw man. I don't cover CPB, never have and can think of one time I ever spoke to someone from the shop. I'm not in the ad business, which gives me the perspective of not having a dog in this fight. That's why I've been struck by the strong reactions the mere mention of CPB provokes. Hate, jealousy, righteous outrage -- beats me. I trust the market will sort that out. If CPB does great work that drives results, it'll win more clients. If it doesn't, it'll lose them. What people write on blogs and vote in Internet polls won't matter all that much.
Posted by: Brian M. | Jan 11, 2008 6:14:47 PM
Perhaps frustrated souls in Adland were trying to vote bad things into happening for CP&B: A kind of pre-meditated schadenfreude.
Posted by: steffan1 | Jan 14, 2008 9:34:20 AM
"I don't cover CPB, never have and can think of one time I ever spoke to someone from the shop."
Brian, how about last week?
http://www.adweek.com/aw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003692192
Posted by: nicetry | Jan 14, 2008 10:33:06 AM
nicetry,
Yes, I interviewed Rob Reilly for a story. That's the one time. Keep looking for more. Happy hunting. Thanks for proving point about some having an irrational CPB obsession.
BM
Posted by: Brian M. | Jan 14, 2008 11:31:34 AM
I think the analysis about CP+B from those who have "walked past the Miami office once," or "knew someone from the 2nd floor of the building" or "can't think of one time I ever spoke to someone from the shop" is really, really funny and quite ridiculous.
Everyone knows that it is human nature to want those at the top to fall, but it will most likely be awhile for that to happen to CP+B. One thing they do well there that not a lot of shops do -- is change and adapt easily. They don't get stuck in the success of the past. And that's what you have to learn to do in this industry to stay relevant.
CP+B was the best place I've ever worked. Anyone who hasn't worked there just doesn't understand what it's like. So, it's easier just to think the worst and spew negativity.
Peace. :-)
Posted by: MINIapolis | Jan 14, 2008 11:34:23 AM
Doesn't matter what agency...isn't it a little tasteless that there would even be a 'poll' about predicting who is going to have layoffs? These are people's jobs you're talking about.
Let's all get back to making our work great and hopefully there won't be any layoffs across the board.
Posted by: Tim | Jan 14, 2008 2:55:35 PM
"...isn't it a little tasteless that there would even be a 'poll' about predicting who is going to have layoffs?"
Actually, I think it's quite timely given that the US credit crunch has impacted/is likely to impact the earnings of Corporate America, which will result in many-a-CEO instructing her/his troops to take a long, hard look at spending for 2008. Seeing as the followers of this blog are presumably somehow tied to the Ad business, there is a good chance they might have an idea of what, if any, corporations are tightening up the Ad Spending budget.
Posted by: TunaTacoGrande | Jan 14, 2008 3:13:08 PM
3rd floor, MINIapolis, CPB has nothing on the second floor.
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 14, 2008 3:38:01 PM
Hi Bobby,
Yes, I know CPB is on the 3rd floor. I worked there. I was just referring to your comment about the tenants from the second floor "Hi Steve, I know about them because in the second floor" and the noise from the gym.
Posted by: MINIapolis | Jan 14, 2008 3:45:17 PM
Bobby, do you work in that graphic design place on the 2nd floor of the same building, The Mayfair? CP+B's space is actually not so "beauitful" but, very funcational. Cement floors, sheet metal walls. Very industrial and factoryesque. To match the Factory philosophy.
Posted by: MINIapolis | Jan 14, 2008 4:02:45 PM
The direction of these posts make me want to take a dump in my pants and fester in it for the rest of the day.
Posted by: Todd | Jan 14, 2008 5:10:13 PM
"The direction of these posts make me want to take a dump in my pants and fester in it for the rest of the day."
Wow, that's an interesting thought!
Reminds me of this:
http://news.hereisthecity.com/news/business_news/7445.cntns
Posted by: TunaTacoGrande | Jan 14, 2008 5:55:35 PM
Bobby, do you work in that graphic design place on the 2nd floor of the same building, The Mayfair?
---I can't tell you where I work here. I don't want to get in trouble. Why, you want to meet? Maybe I can write you. Do you still work for CPB?
I agree that the space is industrial, I think some people like that. I think it's beautiful. I think the typical office design is very depressing.
Personally, my dream ad agency would need to have to have a Jacuzzi, a private place with an office shrink, a gym, and a gun range.
CPB already has the gym, so kudos to them.
Posted by: Bobby | Jan 14, 2008 6:46:08 PM
