It isn’t easy to put a finger on exactly what makes our agency tick.
Our history, our work, our clients; they’re all a part of it. But the most vital elements, the real strands of DNA that make us the agency we are, are the people.
We asked everyone three simple questions to try and give you some idea of the cut of our collective jib. Roll your cursor over a friendly face to hear their story.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The strong black coffee, the banter and the never ending creative challenge.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Trust my creatives.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The Marketing Store gives me the best outlet for all my creative aspirations. Creating inspirational marketing ideas and core iconography that start below the line but end up leading totally integrated campaigns is very satisfying.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The Guardian has been running a series of little pamphlet inserts titled great lyricists: Patti Smith, Cohen, Morrissey and Alex Smith were the ones that really caught my eye. Song writers are not poets and seeing their work laid bare, trying to stand up without the music really sorts out who transcends music and creates a lasting Art.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Double all my budgets and give all the briefs to The Marketing Store.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
I love the challenge of finding fun solutions – working on Happy Meal, I enjoy turning an everyday brief into a surprising conclusion.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
'Wash your hands’. Really fun and powerful. ‘Beach Globe’ What a great toy! How much fun would that be!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Try and push creative boundaries as much as possible and persuade my company to take risks, investing in the long term.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To hear all the gossip from the night before.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Party feet - can't live without them!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Challenge my agency to delight me with an impossible idea, and then deliver it.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To be creatively challenged, work together with a fun team and get my elevenses.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Annie putting correlating post-it notes on correlating plastic folders wearing correlating shoes.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Trust my agency more and have the guts to take more risks.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
I can't stand Jeremy Kyle and the banters pretty good too.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Sky+... Brilliant
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Work with The Marketing Store and I have OCD!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To create something new and fun. Toys and products that children really engage with and can use to enhance their own imaginations and play patterns.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
One of the reasons I love working and living in London is the amount of creative things that go on all the time. Because of the size of London projects can be done on an epic scale such as The Sultan’s Elephant, a giant automata that came to London a couple of years ago.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
There are far worse things to do than play for a living.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
An R2D2 DVD player that projects movies onto the ceiling.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Ban everyone from using nonsensical corporate phrases in meetings. Anyone who dares to utter, “moving forward”, “singing from the same hymn sheet” or “out of the box” will be forced to sit in a box and sing hymns while attempting to shuffle forwards.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The idea that I have no idea what the next idea will be.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Uniting Thunderbirds’ Brains and Snap’s “Rhythm is a Dancer” to sell mineral water.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Be brave and risk it.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The great atmosphere and the great people I work with - they're inspirational, challenging & fun!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
I'm a big fan of the 'Drench' Water campaign featuring the well-known character 'Brains' from Thunderbirds. The dance sequence featured in the ATL Ad is visually very appealing & instantly viral through word of mouth and Online extensions! (And I love the song....)
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
If I had to choose a new Agency as a Client I would be looking for some really refreshing approaches to work and no fear of breaking boundaries & pushing limits to deliver Creative campaigns with a wow factor.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To work with motivated, bright, fun people. Seriously.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
I loved the advertising work used recently in London to get more people out to vote in the Mayoral elections. It highlighted how busy (time poor / media bamboozled) we are in the developed world and how we prioritise the wrong things to pay attention to.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Share my marketing strategy and sales data with my agencies freely and openly and demand transparency in return as that is the way to create partnership.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Because of the variety of talented, fun and interesting people I get to work with everyday.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
I just love Canon’s new “Freecording” campaign – inspiring people to use a camcorder when the moment grabs them – ‘recording without rules’.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I’d give my agency more time to get to know me / the team outside of the office – to discuss and share ideas away from the usual perimeters. A bit idealistic but I think definitely part of the answer to creating a successful partnership.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To escape my wife, the kids, the dogs and the baliffs. Oh and it keeps my drinking within reasonable hours - one Bloody Mary before 9am is ok, but as you know, once you've started. More seriously, I just LOVE work! Not management, not all clients, but I really love the passion for great creative & commercial work and the desire, and commitment beyond salary, shown by all the people I work with daily.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
A large plastic donkey to keep cigarettes in, that when you press down on its ears, dispenses the required cigarette out of its behind.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Go on holiday of course - the agency does all the work!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The People, not so much the practices.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
A screw-top on a bottle of wine.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Love it...
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Ideas. They rock my world.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Persil "Dirt is Good". A really great brand activation platform.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Give my agency some time to think so it can add genuine value. Plus I would try to remember that playing itself doesn't build famous brands. No guts, no glory.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
When I was a child, I loved playing with my favourite toys and my mates. Now I get paid to do the same thing.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The new Puma collaboration with Alexander McQueen. Wicked footwear!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Strive to satisfy the consumer, not myself.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
It's a cliche, I know, but the day I stop getting that buzz from working in a creative business in this city, I will stay at home.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
iPod. It just keeps standing out - an almost constant renewal of form, function, design and marketing. How long can they keep it up?
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I would probably be the best client in the world!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
There’s a field full of lamas not far from where I live but the only way I can see them is from the train....so...
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
My daughter’s concept for ‘helicopter clothes’. They pick themselves up and put themselves away.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Yeah right, as if I’m going to try and second guess a client!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The thrill of the chase - clients that is!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
A gorilla passionately getting into the groove to Phil Collins, that curl of the lip - a moment of pure genius, all to sell chocolate.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I'd seek an agency that acted as a business partner as opposed to a supplier. The client agency relationship involves serious investment from both sides, by having a partnership approach in place right from the off, both parties stand to gain higher success.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Quite simply because of the people I work with!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
I love the ongoing work from Marks and Spencer. From captivating the nation with their food porn through to their new philosophy of Plan A because there is no plan B. A brave proposition that demonstrates the underlying trust that consumers have in the brand.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I’d review the way that I inspire agencies to work for me!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To interact!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The exhibition of posters from the May 68 Paris student uprising I saw recently, visceral, provocative, passionate and strangely entertaining. Check out www.art-for-change.com
...and Celebrity Masterchef, compelling viewing.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Phone my agency CD everyday for a chat.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
For the atmosphere, the fun, and the diversity. I would have added Table Football... but it's a long story!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Firing golf balls at David Blaine with a 3 wood whilst he was suspended above London in a box. Olden but absolute Golden!!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Ask The Marketing Store to make them a bigger basket.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Cool products! For the budget The Marketing Store generally work to, the quality and innovation in our products is a real motivator.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
A W.A.G.S. edition of The Weakest Link. Genius.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I'd ensure The Marketing Store were offered a retainer, instantly!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Work with some talented, fun people.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
A self clinging vinyl which can be printed, repositioned and leaves no residue.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Work closer with the agency to produce better campaigns and develop a greater understanding.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To compete with my team by guessing the correct answer to our trivia question of the week e.g. 'What did Mr Mangetout eat 2lb of every day..?'
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Innocent's buy one get one tree (who wouldn't love that?!)
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Select an agency that pitched to me brilliantly without the use of PowerPoint (or is that an urban legend??) AND insist on having the latest technology as good as that of my agency too!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
So I can work with a great creative team, and escape endless household chores given to me by my wife.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Is my sons school project to create a greener environment for everyone.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I’d listen to what The Marketing Store has to say.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Because I love digital. I'm a geek marketer and I'm proud of it. Everyone is saying "the future of marketing is digital" but you know what? It's true!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The Age of Conversation ...a single book on a single topic written by over 100 different people. All proceeds go to charity
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
...stop buying newspapers, turn off the TV and walk to work blindfolded so I don't see any billboards. I'd understand more how consumers are treating traditional ads - they're ignoring them. Also, I'd text instead of call, IM instead of email and use my iPhone not my Macbook. Why? Because not only is traditional marketing changing, the new one is too.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Where else can I be a geek without enticing yawns -- or a lynch mob.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
“Free! Why $0.00 is the future of Business!”
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Make a coffee. Sit down. And write a real brief. With a single minded proposition and everything. Rather than expect my agency to give birth to award winning work from a 2 line email.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To be creative, surprising clients with our ideas.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Promotional Toyota Hilux screensaver
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Strive for new and clever communications – try not to do what has been done before.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To work with inspiring people and great brands.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Segway personal transporters - I'd like to commute to work on one.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Plan more promotions!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Because it is so much fun!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
With absolutely no bias....Walkers Books For School. It really was the ultimate campaign.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Challenge The Marketing Store to deliver me a campaign like no other.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
The challenges at The Marketing Store are an exciting intellectual challenge - everyday.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The Bucket list - I need to write one.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Want to really understand how I can influence my customers to buy.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
Continuing the success of the Shell Ferrari promotions, as well as pursuing new opportunities with Ducati and Audi. Not bad when you like fast cars!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
the 360 Adidas campaign for UEFA EURO 2008. Adidas reached a phenomenal number of consumer touch points - from giant scale installations in host cities down to small giveaways in retail, there were three stripes everywhere you looked!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
be looking for an agency that could deliver cutting edge campaigns to provide standout in the crowded marketplace - challenging the status quo to maximise impact, but always in a creative and thoughtful way.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
For the craic!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The Chip Shop awards – for those creative ideas the clients go for….
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Sack my current agency RIGHT NOW and get to work with the brilliant people at The Marketing Store!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To work with interesting technologies and to enjoy my day at work.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Unified Communications. This is a system that collates all the different ways of communicating (e-mail, telephone, mobile, fax, video) and organising them into a sensible efficient way to avoid communication overload. It allows people to spend more time communicating, collaborating and generally working more effectively across large offices, different cities or even countries. At the end of the day, it’s about increasing productivity.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
I would continue to trust The Marketing Store to give them the perfect solution to their business need.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To make sure everyone has the best possible conditions to work in, solve any problems, and try and make a difference.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The www. is still an amazing tool. So much information and knowledge at the press of a button.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Treat people the way I'd want to be treated! Be polite, efficient, funny, knowledgeable and get results.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
to work with a fantastic team of people on an interesting, challenging and ever evolving account
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
the Cadbury's dairy milk campaign. They've produced some great TV (I particularly loved the Gorilla one!) that not only grab your attention but also do a great job in making you remember the brand.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Try to gain a full understanding of my agencies’ processes, way of working etc whilst also educating them on client-side processes, pressures etc to ensure a harmonious working relationship based on mutual understanding!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
I love my job. I get to draw, come up with ideas and generally mess around while getting paid. The other day I had to go to the zoo to get some research for some CPW work, not many people can say they get to do that in their day-to-day.
The best idea I've seen recently is ...
The Random Kitten Generator. It’s a very simple website where it shows you a different cute picture of a kitten every time you click. It’s almost impossible to get bored of it.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Trust creative a bit more. I understand the need for collaboration but when it comes to type faces, spacing and other design lead decisions leave it to the people with the design experience. You wouldn’t tell a doctor how to do his job.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To steal ideas and then apply them to my snail farm. (I’m researching the effect of marketing on the common garden snail)
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
Aqua Jellies, robotic jelly fish that communicate and live independently. Now you can stroke jellies without having to pee on yourself afterwards.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To challenge myself and others and to have fun doing it!
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
A book called Freakonomics where a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything.
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Invest the time to understand what their agencies processes are which will help manage expectations during the relationship.
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To work with a passionate team of people who simply love doing what they do.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The Walker's 'Do Us A Flavour' challenge - an innovative and engaging sales promotion that attracted over 1.1 million competition entries. And what more could you want than a personally created crisp flavour and a share of future royalties?!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Tell the agency to have a week off - they deserve it!
The reason I come to work every morning is.....
To work with a great team who are passionate about what they do and who they work for.
The best idea I've seen recently is.....
The Levis billboard advertising in Old Street. Levis jeans structured to look like butterflies - very striking and eye-catching - very cool, no need to print there brand on the ad, it speaks for itself!
If I were a client tomorrow I'd....
Make my agency take me for a nice expensive lunch...i deserve it, don't I!