Wellington, Postaer spark healthy debate | Cactus advertising marketing communication design agency Denver Colorado

04.28.09: Wellington, Postaer spark healthy debate

I thought the Beef Wellington was a bit underwhelming. But hey, even world-renowned chefs fall short of expectations from time to time.

In advertising and design, we put our work and our ideas out in front of the world every day. And with a little luck and a pinch of humility, we hope a few of them get noticed and make a difference.

I think the conversation sparked by Matt’s post is fantastic. Though it may seem a bit controversial, it’s been nothing short of constructive. When a small group of agency leaders and I rebooted the ad club (NDAC) a few years ago, we did it to make our market better, to get recognized for the talent here, and to figure out how to get better clients to do better work. Along the Front Range, we have some very serious talent and idea leaders. We’ve had some big wins in our market lately. One of the most famous agencies in the world is up the street. Some of the best talent, and bravest innovation, is at home, right here in Colorado.

To judge our local awards show for the past couple of years, the NDAC has brought in some of the country’s, and even the world’s, top names – people like Ty Montague, Scott Goodson, Kevin Roddy and Robert Rassmussen, just to name a few. And now, the ad club has once again attracted the best in the business to come speak at the “Outside Voices” speaker series.

If the dialogue sparked by Matt’s post has proved anything, it’s that Denver is not a small market in spirit or intellect. We have the same expectations and standards as any market to which we compare ourselves. The New Denver Ad Club and all of the agencies and talented minds here want to be inspired from outside speakers. Is it wrong to expect the best from the best when they come visit? A little healthy criticism and debate is expected. It is stimulating and necessary. Look at what The Denver Egotist has done. Love it or hate it, The Egotist has generated meaningful dialogue amongst an industry that desperately seeks innovation every day of the week. One way to do that is to hold each other to higher standards, and to inspire one another along the way.

Maybe it’s this kind of attitude that will convince the Chipotle’s of the world to come back to its roots for an agency, pave the path for the next Nike to be born here, or be the push for future Cannes-winning copywriters to call Colorado home.

I’m excited to see what upcoming speakers presented by the “Outside Voices” series will bring. And, I'll no doubt be there, paying homage to the Duke of Wellington, with a large group from Cactus. But, in the meantime let’s not be afraid to be critical of the ad gods, for that too may offend them.