Comments for Greensted Blog

Comment on I worked with Marilyn Monroe, but failed to listen by Deborah

Deborah — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:25:32 +0000

Great article, however, Kay was not from the East End of London but from Chatham, Kent which is part of the Medway Towns – nor does anyone from that part of Kent have an ‘East London’ accent. How do I know this? Because I am from the same area and Kay was a family friend

Comment on The Nature of Creativity by leon lerner

leon lerner — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 16:12:25 +0000

Stephen, why did Peter Sutherland give you his watch? Were you great mates? Last I heard
he was running a grocery shop with his ex-art- buyer wife somewhere in Kent. I so agree with you
about Alec Fowler. A great art director and photographer, and one of the nicest people I have ever
known. Can you possibly give me his phone number or email address at hypno7580@aol.com .
P.S I was never a cab driver, only a frequent user. And for psychotherapist read hypnotherapist.
Regards. Leon

Comment on The Nature of Creativity by Zoe Hardy

Zoe Hardy — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:30:22 +0000

Dear Leon, I found this reference to you on the internet – I searche your name as my mother was very eager to make contact with you again. I live in Nottinghamshire & have a bolthole in London, near my mother. Sadly, my father died, four years ago this weekend after a very long illness during which he carried on working and was very stoic. I hope all is well with you. If you would like to be in touch with my mum – she is rather frail and likes visitors – do email me on zoe@zedhard.co.uk

Comment on The Nature of Creativity by Stephen Greensted

Stephen Greensted — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:24:55 +0000

Leon,Thanks for this.Yes, I know you’re alive. One of Bert Hardy’s relatives got in touch and told me that you a a psychotherapist, and that you live in Chelsea Harbour. There is no reason for you to remember me, though. I was an account manager, and shared an office with Peter Sutherland. I still have his Smith’s watch which he gave me when you set up your agency. Lunch is a possibility. Best wishes, Stephen

Comment on The Nature of Creativity by leon lerner

leon lerner — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 18:13:07 +0000

Yes, I am alive. I still eat and drink. Do I know you? I left HBP in 1975
to start my own shop, so perhaps our paths barely crossed. I live in SW
London and would be happy to hear from you if lunch is on you.

Comment on Semiotics and successful new business pitches by Greg Rowland

Greg Rowland — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:51:20 +0000

I have very fond memories of working on Sheridan’s in the mid-90s, with Ginny and Monty (much-missed since their passing.) I loved the product experience and symbolism. But it had a steep hill to climb.

The problem with the sweet & creamy product is that there’s massive cultural resistance to changing use occasions and associations around what we might term ‘alcoholic confectionary.’ ‘Proper’ drinks are supposed to have a more complex, and even slightly challenging, taste experience. Sheridan’s made no such demands. It was easy….very easy….and, for me, that’s where the appeal lay. I fondly remember trying to sell Ginny the idea that there was a possible positioning — ironic yet functional — around ‘The Hellraiser’. It was inspired by Keith Moon, who was a proselytiser for Brandy Alexander cocktails, calling them ‘milk shakes’ and recommending them on the basis of their ease and smoothness, and specific lack of alcoholic flavour. John Lennon took his advice and went on to fuel his infamous three month ‘lost weekend’ in 1973 with a steady stream of BAs.

Of course we couldn’t be as explicit as this, but I always felt that this kind of drink was a mark of the supremely confident hedonist, not out to impress, and devising new forms of pleasure and use from products in spite and because of their seemingly innocuous and displaced cultural associations.

It was a long shot, and I was guilty of basing a strategy on an idealised version of my 26-year-old self, who combined semiotic work with touring with a funk band. I wasn’t adverse to a bit of hedonism myself.

The coda to the Sheridan’s project came in a duty free hall, after a short European tour. A rather attractive young woman, glamorous in an Upper Essex style, reached for a bottle of Sheridan’s. Noting my proximity she looked slightly ashamed and felt the need to justify her purchase:

“I know it’s a tart’s drink…but I like it!” (Followed by a Barbara Windsor giggle.)

Now there’s a pretty much perfect brand essence, full of tension, desire, guilt and hedonism — all fighting on the dance floor.

As they say, out of the mouth of (Essex) babes comes truth.

Comment on Help! The Martians have landed! by Stephen Greensted

Stephen Greensted — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:05:30 +0000

Thanks, John. I’m teaching the principles of advertising to a group of post-graduate French students all of whom speak good English, so much so that I understand them better than I understand most people from Glasgow. I also have difficulties with Newcastle Geordies. Best wishes, Stephen

> Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:20:44 +0000 > To: stephengreensted@hotmail.com >

Comment on Help! The Martians have landed! by Klaw

Klaw — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:20:43 +0000

Nicely turned article. You English seem to have a way with the language. Do not listen to those nut cases pushing for Esperanza.
best,
John K.

Comment on What I found lurking on my laptop by Stephen Greensted

Stephen Greensted — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 16:37:49 +0000

John, Thanks. I’ll look up FixCleaner. All the best, Stephen

Comment on What I found lurking on my laptop by Klaw

Klaw — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 16:33:08 +0000

I use a program called FixCleaner, plus the usual Norton/Yahoo/Internet Explorer sweeps. Still, the war is on, the enemy engaged, continual attacks and counterattacks on a daily basis.

P.S. You might be interested in my website entry today. Time Travel is possible, after all, but we are not going to like it.