I (like a whole lot of us) have been following the abovementioned story from the time Draft-FCB got the Wal-Mart business… when George Parker exposed the internal memo at Ogilvy… then when Draft-FCB ‘released the lions’… right up to the discovery a couple of days back that Wal-Mart fired Julie Roehm and has put the business up for a pitch again!
Well, between comments and opinions from George Parker and (in George’s words) a whole lot of other ‘wankers’ the story rivals any Sidney Sheldon plot, or for those familiar with India it resembles bollywood masala, minus the singing and dancing around the trees (though in this plot we do have certain cats doing it in the bushes!).
But if you’re finding it tough (as I did) to figure out the real meat of the story minus the masala – then Bob Garfield is the one to bare it all for you – including the whos, whens, and insights on the whys.
As a communication professional, this plot offers plenty of learning (besides what Bob explains):
- Business partnerships aren’t any good, if you’re mismatched culturally.
- Don’t hire people just because they did (or are supposed to have done) a great work elsewhere. Question if they can deliver similar results, and not just deliver similar campaigns for you.
- And finally, as we all know – winning an account is usually easiest part of our business – keeping it and keeping it happy is the toughest part!
Read the Bob Garfield perspective here. And the George Parker perspective here.
Nostradamus
Thanks for the comments on my site… I shall link you. But I think you really hit the nail on the head with those three pointers to a better relationship… I would be presumptious to add just one more I’ve learned over many arduous years… “Never give a client what they want… Give them what they need.” Something which happens less and less these days.
Cheers/George
Posted by George Parker | December 13, 2006, 10:34 amThanks George!
The way you write and the things you say remind me why I got into this business in the first place – to do exciting stuff in an exciting environment, to do the right things and call a spade a spade where required, and don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of you as long as you deliver the results you’re paid to deliver!
And of course, a lot of what you point out also reminds me why I’ve turned ‘independent’!
Cheers!
Posted by noshtradamus | December 13, 2006, 10:57 am