The Secret Door

The Secret Door, a magical portal and your very own wormhole into the furthest nooks and crannies of the world. Well, Google Earth anyway.

Click on it's knocker and you get taken to images of random locations across the world cleverly pulled from Google maps and streetview. Who knows where you'll end up.

Maybe here?

 Or here? 

Or, if you're really lucky (unlucky?). A Russian & Turkish baths in Miami. Nice.

We're not really sure what it's all about, although it is connected to Safestyle Windows. Who might have been better off putting the secret door cash into a new website of their own, just sayin. But anyway, it's genius and a great way to lose a half an hour of your life.

150 Years Of London Underground Posters

Now, here's an anniversary that's worth celebrating.

I took a trip to the London Transport Museum recently to see their Poster Art 150 exhibition - 150 of the greatest Underground posters ever produced.

There's an astonishingly diverse and hugely impressive range of posters on display.

It's well worth a trip down to Covent Garden to see all this classic "advertising as art" in one place.

For the office-bound and bed-ridden, there's always the London Transport Museum online archive instead.

Ode to the Rah

Over here at Sell! Sell! we're looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival. Can't say I know a great deal about horse racing; but it seems like a rather good day out and an excuse to get dressed up proper fancy like.

Whilst researching potential outfits, I stumbled across this absolute gem of a blog.

Now don't get me wrong, done well and with taste, a pair of red trousers can be a valuable asset to any man's wardrobe; however far too often for my liking is this gift from the gentry squandered.

Friday

Today is Friday. You know what that means!? Nothing. Here is a video that amply reflects the state of my brain this afternoon.



Have a good weekend folks.

How To [Not] Fail

Earlier this week, Martin Weigel gave a talk at the IPA 44 Club.

He's kindly shared the slides on his excellent blog, Canalside View.

It's a brilliant must read for anyone who works in the business.

And if you're looking for ammunition to shoot at the engagement evangelists, you can get your more than your fill.  There's plenty of hard evidence and facts to keep you entertained.

Click here to enjoy Martin's words of wisdom.

PS Here is a little titbit - probably the best description of the ludicrous trend toward engagement nonsense we've seen, from Mr Brooker...

Balls and Laughs

Too much intelligent discussion on here of late, so here's a film about balls to counterbalance it.

In all seriousness, thanks for all of your thoughts and comments over the past few days, it's great to have some healthy discussion, so please do continue to share your thoughts.

This brilliantly simple film was made by the extremely talented Daniel Mercadante, using images found using Google image search.



Also by Daniel is this superb film Laughs, made completely using clips found on the web. Try to watch it and not laugh.

A Note on Fear

Following on from Friday's post, I wanted to pick up on some of the comments noting Agencies' 'fear' of losing clients - and how counterproductive this can be.

Fear is an essential human response. If we didn't feel it, we couldn't protect ourselves from legitimate emotional or physical threats such as Tesco burgers or promiscuos older ladies at Christmas parties. But often we fear situations that are far from life-or-death.

I think back to when I was an intern, and the immense fear I had everytime I got my Director a coffee (presented head down with a subservient cower of course). I'd stress about whether I'd made it too weak or too strong, and if my googling of 'what is a macchiato' had resulted in the correct answer at all. If stories of him were true, should the drink not allign precisely with his high expectations, he would surely fire me.

Fortunately for all I quickly learnt how to make good coffee - then shortly after that fear wasn't a very desirable quality to have as an employee. If ever he was going to brief me on anything other than hot drinks, I needed to stop being such a bitch and grow a pair pronto.

Fear is never a solid foundation for any healthy relationship - business or personal. 

You don't buy your partner flowers because you're scared she'll leave you - but because you love her. A dog shouldn't fetch a stick for its master because its afraid of being beaten - but because it enjoys the game.*

Isn't it better to build from respect and common goals, rather than fear and obedience?

And to finish, what better than a succinct quote from a clever bloke;

"He who has overcome his fears will truly be free" - Aristotle

* please dont read too much into these examples and what are clearly my unresolved issues.