Most-creative list mostly missing ad people
The ad business, we're told ad nauseum, is all about creativity—specifically, the type that builds brands and drives business results. Someone tell that to Fast Company. The bible of all things innovation is out with a list of the "100 most creative people in business." It isn't dominated by the ad world. TBWA creative chief Lee Clow checks in at No. 32, and Noah Brier, director of strategy at The Barbarian Group and creator of BrandTags.net, is No. 59. The magazine explains its methodology: "We looked for dazzling new thinkers, rising stars, and boldface names who couldn't be ignored. We avoided people we've profiled in the recent past. We emphasized those whose creativity addresses a larger issue—from the future of our energy infrastructure to the evolution of philanthropy to next-generation media and entertainment." Are they missing some people? UPDATE: There is another ad guy on the list: BBDO's Greg Hahn is No. 39. —Posted by Brian Morrissey |
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I think it all depends on what kind of creative thinking you're talking about. Yes, we ad people are creative, but in fairly predicable ways. If the aim of the article was to profile people who are shifting business thought as a whole, creating new business models, innovating broken business strategy, really changing the core concepts of business, then no I don't think they missed the mark. If you're just talking about the people who think creatively in volume about the same kinds of business problems everyday, we win hands down. (Before you blast me, keep in mind these are the comments of an art director, not an accountant or middle manager.)
Posted by: Tony Santos | May 18, 2009 3:30:56 PM
i read that at borders. the list is a crock. and the magazine is a crock. doing lists of 100 things, ironically, is the height of uncreativity. get wired instead.
Posted by: A. Prinze | May 18, 2009 3:45:47 PM
Umm. Please don't forget Greg Hahn at number 39. I worked with him as a young copywriter and it was obvious he was going to be amazing.
Posted by: Claudia Caplan | May 18, 2009 3:55:30 PM
Yeah, like Wired never does arbitrary lists...
Posted by: Warren Black | May 18, 2009 3:59:10 PM
How many advertising creatives have really thought "outside the box" in the last decade? How many of them have significantly changed how we think, how we interact or made significant contributions to society? The vast, vast majority of advertising these days isn't really all that creative, it's just a rehashing of old ideas playing to the lowest common denominator.
Posted by: Matt Meeks | May 18, 2009 5:08:31 PM
Tyra Banks is on this list. And you're bitching about more ad people not being included? Are you fucking kidding me?
Posted by: Jealous | May 18, 2009 7:49:49 PM
How about Meg Whitman? Or do conservatives automatically get ranked below the top 100.
Posted by: Ad Crank | May 18, 2009 8:44:47 PM
warren, if you bothered to actually look at the issue you'd see that this list basically IS the magazine. and yes ad crank conservatives don't get in. because they're conservative. not progressive. can't have it both ways ;-)
Posted by: A. Prinze | May 19, 2009 11:28:15 AM
and claudia is right btw. yay! for greg hahn. a sadly unheralded talent.
Posted by: A. Prinze | May 19, 2009 3:09:52 PM
Glad Fast Company heralded him even if AdFreak apparently doesn't recognize his name. Savvy...
Posted by: Claudia Caplan | May 21, 2009 7:30:32 PM
Writing ads is easy. Working in an ad agency is impossible. The ability of those who manage to to survive in the death spiral that are ad agencies is the most creative thing about them.
Posted by: Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. | Dec 18, 2009 11:59:06 AM
