10. January 2012
This morning we had our first working breakfast.
Mark Earls did what he does best – he made us think!
Here’s our 60 second whistle-stop tour of the wise and wonderful things he had to say.
His theme was that people follow patterns of behaviour. We can improve communication effectiveness by better understanding these patterns. It's for this reason that Mark's latest book is called "I'll Have What She's Having".
Mark started with a story – a story of Empire, adventure, map making and the Kong Mountains. (A quick visit to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains_of_Kong explains all.)
It turns out that for nearly a 100 years we believed the Kong Mountains to be in West Africa. They were the source of the great Niger River. Maps pinpointed where they could be found. The truth is they've never existed! They're a myth!
How did this come to pass? Mark explained that social context and shared belief are the most significant elements in our decision making.
We are inherently social beings and so our decision making is necessarily shaped by the influence of others.
From the moment we are born we are homo mimicus – mimicking man. We are copying machines aping the behaviour of our parents from day one. We then progress and ape the behaviour of our peers, of our social milieu and of wider society. We do it through-out our lives. This is why ideas spread; it's why markets have long-tails. We are copying machines. Drinks for example are a social choice.
As much as we all want to believe we're rational and independent of thought, the truth is we our part of a herd and make social decisions.
The trick is to understand the pattern that people's decision making is conforming to. To see the dynamic behind the mimic. Only by doing this can we seek to influence behaviour.
That's it other than to say thanks Mark for a stimulating and insightful talk. Great way to start the working day.
Mark's latest book, "I'll Have What She's Having", the inspiration for much of this morning, can be bought by clicking here. Well worth a read.
4. January 2012
CMW's celebrated Bacon Club is back and better than ever for 2012, now better known as Working Breakfast.
Kicking things off on Tuesday January 10th at One Alfred Place, we are particularly excited to announce that our speaker is Mark Earls, one of the UK's most popular writers and speakers on brands, marketing and changing mass behaviour. He is the author of 'HERD' and the recently published 'I'll Have What She's Having'. He's been described as Malcolm Gladwell on speed, and always has an entertaining story and a great insight into how marketers really influence audience behaviour.This is a chance to genuinely find out what makes consumers tick, and an opportunity to mingle and enjoy some breakfast.
We still have a few places available, so if you are interested in coming along, please email daisy.batchen@cmwlondon.com for more information. And for those of you who are already on the guest list.....see you there!
21. October 2011
William Hill are offering odds of just 2/1 that the Stone Roses will split before the end of 2012. Pretty much a sure thing then.
20. October 2011
This top tune is one of CMW's faves. We are told that the chap on the guitar is not, we repeat not, Ben Rachel our Planning Director.
13. December 2010
Campaign published its 2010 Top Tens on Thursday. CMW had its best performance to date.
We were runner up DM agency of the year for the second year running, and with Camapign saying we could well go further next year.
Jamie Bell and Iain Hunter were number 5 in the top ten DM creatives.
Our work for Sure Start came in at number 9 in the Regional Press Ads.
Our Creme Egg iPhone app came in at number 5 in top apps.
And last, but by no means least, our 'Emergency Services' mailer for Peugeot came in at number 7 in the top ten direct campaigns.
We're absolutely chuffed at the recognition. It's been a very busy year and all of us at CMW twoers have thoroughly enjoyed it. We're looking forward to 2011 and doing even more, even better work for our clients.
21. September 2010
We all popped over to Bloomsbury last night for a spot of ten-pin bowling. Turns out most of us are absolutely rubbish at it, which made Jula (our Godess of HR) and Anthony (demon of data) stand out all the more for their almost perfect technique and ability to toss a ball at some sticks with surprising accuracy and subsequent high scoring.
Meanwhile in the Karioke lounge ...
25. January 2010
Ermina is one of our planners. Her head is all abuzz with big thoughts as she thinks great things as dreams up marvellous strategies and all that. So it's no surprise she's lost her phone. She has thus gone out and bought a temporary stand in; the cheapest PAYG she could lay her hands on. It is a Nokia. And whilst it may be cheap on PAYG it nevertheless carries the 'Nokia tune' in full polyphonic splendor.
The 'Nokia tune' is in fact a classical guitar piece called Grand Vals, and here is the full plucking thing on YouTube.Enjoy!
11. January 2010
Paul and Vicky are with us on placement in the creative team. And thank heavens they are otherwise we would have missed out on the snowmen dopplegangers of Jamie and Ian (CDs) they created.
We thought it all tres drole. Jamie and Iain, bless them, tried to see the funny side.
13. November 2009
Our very own Jamie Bell has been appointed to the D&AD jury for direct. You can read about it here.
Looks tricky doesn't he, and it's true he is indeed very hard to please, but he's a sweetie really.
9. November 2009
Shaun Rogers. Multi-tasking studio guru or spaghetti western gunslinging hero? Could be either. Or both. He's grooming a tash for Movember. You know the score. Donate here. If he gets enough wonga in he might even start sporting chaps. Now that's something we'd like to see all year round!