Turning the Creative Brief Into A Living Organism

In much of the advertising world, the creative brief is treated like a static document—a checklist, a rulebook, a set of instructions. But at Ideasicle X, we see it differently. For us, the brief isn’t the final word—it’s the first spark. It ignites the creative process, and while the brief itself doesn’t change during the creative process, its influence on the creative team grows and evolves as the ideas take shape. When approached the right way, a brief doesn’t dictate creative solutions, it fuels them, turning into something dynamic and alive.

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The Future Of Advertising: Temporary Help On A Continuous Basis

The advertising world is in flux, and so is the way we think about utilizing creative talent. Good talent is expensive and hard to find, the talent an agency has is maxed out, and to top it off client budgets aren’t getting any bigger. In fact, brands are rejecting traditional "agency of record" relationships. Instead, brands are dipping in and out of agencies as they build up their in-house teams. What is an advertising agency to do in this environment? I’ll tell you. Agencies need temporary help on a continuous basis.

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Texas State University Weighs In On "Collegiate" Version Of Ideasicle X

Recently, we ran an idea project that brought together Ideasicle Experts and students from Texas State University to collaborate virtually. One student, Jason Lovejoy, was so impressed by his experience that he introduced me to his professor, Sage Baker, a Lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State. Jason believed our platform could be an excellent tool for university collaboration. We set up a meeting with the three of us, and here’s what happened.

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AI: The Great Equalizer of Creativity, But at What Cost?

In the world of creativity, there has long been an unspoken divide—those who seem naturally gifted with imaginative prowess (like our Ideasicle Experts) and those who struggle to come up with anything original. But with the advent of AI, that gap is starting to close. AI is not just a tool for automation and efficiency; it's now being harnessed to elevate the creative abilities of individuals. A recent study from the University of Exeter reveals just how AI is leveling the playing field.

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Texas College Students Bring Fresh Perspective To Recent Ideasicle X Project

We recently took on a project that challenged us in ways we hadn't anticipated. It started with a bold client (a research company) who proposed a unique approach: form three teams composed of both our seasoned Ideasicle Experts and college students from Texas—students who represented the very market we were targeting. Sounded smart, at least on paper. But could students with very little life experience bring something valuable to the table? Um, yeah.

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North Leads the Way: Pioneering the Creative Future with IX Embedded Beta Test

As you likely know if you follow us at all, we are now in development of a new service we’re calling “IX Embedded.” It moves our existing Ideasicle X virtual idea generating platform organically into an agency’s web environment. I asked Rebecca Armstrong, CEO of Portland, Oregon, agency North, to explain why North has agreed to beta test IX Embedded. Here’s what she had to say.

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The Perils Of Brands Taking Sides In Highly Charged Social Issues

I was interviewed this week by Fox News Digital about the effects of brands going “woke” in their advertising. Since my Forbes Contributor days I’ve written about the perils of brands taking sides in highly charged political issues. Because once a company takes a side—either side, mind you— the company alienates its brand to the same degree the issue is polarized.

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Creativity As Currency: Transforming Agency Talent Into New Revenue Streams

I talk to agency execs all the time. It’s tough out there. They’re facing a dual challenge: staying creatively competitive while also finding new revenue streams to sustain and grow their businesses. We are developing a new form factor for Ideasicle X that will not only improve an agency’s creative output, in general, it will help optimize existing creative resources while generating new revenue streams.

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In-House Agencies And The Rise Of The New AOR: "Angel Of Record"

The recent news of Liberty Mutual hiring Bandits & Friends, a small 15-person agency in New York City, as their lead creative partner marks a significant shift in the advertising industry. This move away from larger, established agencies signals a broader trend: the rise of robust in-house agencies on one hand and the evolving scope of the “Agency of Record.” Is that even the right name for these agency/client relationships anymore? More on that in a minute.

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Ideasicle Expert Profile: Mike Labella, Founder Of Uncovr Media

You may not know this, but not all of the Ideasicle Experts are creatives. We have PR people, planners, retail experts, and media people, all at the ready to bring their respective perspectives to any given idea project. One of our media experts is Mike Labella. I have always found Mike to be one of the most creative media people in the business. I asked him if he’d like to be featured on the blog and, after he sent me his story, I now know why he’s so creative.

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Legend Series: Beck, Sir Ken Robinson, and David Lubars On The Ideasicle Podcast

Back when I started Ideasicle in 2010, I launched an audio podcast called the “Ideasicle Podcast.” The point of the show was to explore the concept of creativity and I invited all kinds of experts to provide their points of view. I recorded 37 episodes over a couple years and really enjoyed it. Today, I’m bringing back three of my favorite episodes: Beck, Sir Ken Robinson, and David Lubars. They are not only my favorites, they are evergreen in their content.

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Idea We Wish We Thought Of: Staples Launders Amazon Returns

Imagine Godzilla and King Kong opened a lemonade stand together. That’s how I perceive this agreement between retail enemies, Staples and Amazon. At first, you hear the idea and you’re like, okay whatever, Staples is accepting returns from Amazon orders. Who cares? But dig into the details and one can see how brilliant this move is for Staples. It’s an idea Sun Tzu (“Art of War”) would be proud of. Let’s break it down.

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It's Time To Prepare Your Brand For A Down Economy. Here's How.

While the stock market has been on fire this year, economists warn that stock-market performance is not how we assess the overall health of the economy. And it turns out other key economic indicators are pointing to a downturns. In fact, the agencies and clients I speak with regularly tell me they are already starting to feel the economy weaken. Less advertising business for agencies and freelancers because their clients are understandably getting more nervous every day.

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Not Sure What To Do? Ask Your Brand.

Sounds sorta nuts, right? To ask something as abstract and ill-defined as a “brand” a question? Preposterous, really. But perhaps it’s only preposterous because your brand is too abstract and ill-defined. When a brand idea is formed and articulated powerfully and clearly, then it becomes easy for every employee, regardless of their role, to channel that brand idea into everything they do. Here’s what I mean and why it matters.

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