John White: Using MS Word for heavy formatting would drive me not only to write science fiction, but to prefer it over reality. I tip my hat to Paul.

Wow, there’s a t-shirt somewhere in that comment.

Sadly, Libre Office isn’t really any better, highlighting the awful truth about document processors; they’re not a very good at complex printed projects nor are they your friend when writing for online use.

There’s a reason I’m using Markdown and Multi-Markdown…

John White:
Using MS Word for heavy formatting would drive me not only to write science fiction, but to prefer it over reality.

I have to say, it’s not by choice! I have seen style sheets that would make you weep . . .

(Man, I sound like Roy Batty at the end of Blade Runner.. “I’ve . . . edited things you people couldn’t possibly imagine. Separate styles for every paragraph. I watched embedded PowerPoint slides crash Windows on a desktop. All these files will be deleted . . . in time . . . like . . . tears in rain . . . “

Using MS Word for heavy formatting would drive me not only to write science fiction, but to prefer it over reality. I tip my hat to Paul.
John White recently posted..Marketing Mangers: Make Up Your Own Job Title

Actually, I love my MacBook. It’s the MacBook that hates OS X 10.7.4, judging from how hard it cranks on simple tasks like opening an app or changing a month in iCal.

If you’re in the market for a MB or MBP at less-than-new prices, I can highly recommend MacMedics. They’re an authorized Apple reseller and sell refurbished Macs at reasonable prices. They’re great at servicing and upgrades too, and I think they ship for free when you buy from them. No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer of many years.

An idea similar to “The Pitch” has worked in the past, and I think successfully. The Apprentice (before it went all celeb) used to have at least one or two marketing/advertising challenges that were real challenges, and that added drama. One that sticks out in my mind was the campaign for the new (then) Pontiac Solstice, where one of the contestants came up with a nifty brochure. There are others too that I think were actually used.

The difference in The Pitch is, as you say Tom, the agencies aren’t prepared to look like tools. Which is why going with a smaller, newer, younger ad agency that is prepared to do whatever it takes to win the account might be a way to beef this up a bit.

Purely from a TV-show-as-entertainment standpoint…

~Graham

Paul Lagasse:
I really need to update my photo. I have some gray in my beard now . . .

Amusingly, the picture issue is actually a hot button for me. I visit other freelance websites/blogs and I’m generally appalled by the freelancer’s picture (a driver’s license photo would be a step up for many).

Then I’m reminded that I’m in the same boat; I like my picture but let’s face it; it’s seven years old (yes, I’ve grown prettier, but that’s beside the point) and it’s not exactly designed to instill confidence.

Like most of us, I need a new picture. And, I’d suggest, so do you…

The creative process isn’t all that visual (and it’s rarely dramatic), so they were left to rely on the interpersonal conflicts. Unlike other “reality” shows (Top Chef, Top Model, etc), there isn’t incentive for agency creatives to act like utter tools in order to make great TV (some do anyway, but that’s beside the point).

We don’t subscribe to a TV service, so I haven’t watched any episode aside from the first, but then, I’ve already lived through the trauma of clients making spectacularly bad decisions.