Audio version 8 mins: it’s back! Turns out Spotify is geo-blocked for some of our international friends so it’s back to this or Spotify take your pick.
There’s Never Been A Better Time
A friend posted an ad from the Western Australian government’s new Staycation campaign, via WA Premier Mark McGowan.
She asked:
“Sometimes it’s worth investing in a creative director for image choice. Hmm …. can you pick what is wrong with this picture?”
I used to be a creative director, and I have some notes.
There’s a lot to unpack here so let’s start in the right order: strategy before creative.
The White Man Staycation Plan
Let’s clarify what a staycation is. Wikipedia says:
“A staycation, or holistay, is a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within day trip distance of their home and does not require overnight accommodation.”
Hmm no hotel revenue there.
(Also I had not heard holistay before and hope to never hear it again).
Let’s try re-defining it as a short stay in a hotel in your own town.
Is our most lucrative target market: clusters of white business guys having a night out, then staying in a hotel instead of getting a cab home?
That doesn’t sound like a winning strategy.
When I catch up with my male mates for drinks, here’s something I would not say:
“Guys, after drinks why don’t we stay in a nice hotel? We could all have breakfast together, that would be cool.”
If I did, friends I regard as brothers would delete me from their contacts and block me forever for the sheer weirdness of it.
They would be right to do so.
Who’s In Charge Of Purchasing Here?
There is one half of the hetero-couple demographic that likes to research trips, holidays and weekends away. They’re interested in the finer details of hotels.
That half can be defined as: not men.
Scrolling through thrilling hotels and destinations on the couch, fantasising about holidays you can’t have right now is way up there on the list of COVID-era female hobbies. Plus it’s a great way to ignore TV sports.
Stock photo couple act out how travel purchase research works
A good strategy would be … no rocket science here … ads that appeal to women. Or at least, don’t repel them. (Non-hetero couples are just looking at that ad shaking their heads).
Something like “You can’t do your usual holiday this year so treat yourself to a bit of spontaneous luxury right here.”
OK, time to consider the creative. Uh-oh.
Ron Burgundy And His Mates Go For Drinks
That photo looks like a reunion of 90’s TV sports commentators. Or the National Asbestos Association executive team celebrating a successful day’s government lobbying.
They would call their wives ‘the missus’.
Even if it was based on good strategy, ads with packs of ageing white guys aren’t helping your brand in 2020.
Putting them all in suits takes the retro vibe to the next level. With ties. I haven’t seen that many ties since 2003, not even in Adelaide, the tie capital of Australia. And they’re dressed that way for their FUN STAYCATION.
But wait, is that a woman in there? No wait she’s serving their drinks.
So it’s worse than no women at all.
She’s visually blocked by the Wall Of Men. It’s a lens exaggeration but the impression is: guys who couldn’t be bothered moving out of the way, so she has to lean in uncomfortably.
I’d be interested to see the group that approved this shot. I’m guessing it was mostly suited guys. Because at the root of most bad marketing is the client belief that The Customer Is The Same As Us.
That ad shot could even be the clients. “This one’s on the expense card lads.”
WA Govt ad approval committee
Get A Professional Across The Details
The small details aren’t really the story here.
But since we’re talking creative director things: clients tend to think quality photos happen by magic. Photographer comes in, checks the lighting, goes ‘smile everybody’ and it’s done.
No, they come from hours of weeding out small elements that look bad and don’t fit the core message.
The ad audience doesn’t see these details, They just know subconsciously that ‘Staycation’ is a pretty ordinary ad.
Lots of people in shot means exponential growth in items that need fixing. A few notes:
You would be amazed what hiring a better photographer and a stylist/art director will do for your brand.
The Joy Of Government Marketing
Working with government isn’t easy. Their marketing always carries the strong scent of committee.
I recently drove through Cessnock, just south of the Hunter Valley wine region. I always enjoy seeing their slogan, an absolute local council gem.
You can just picture the meetings with the marketing agency.
“So what do we have to offer visitors?”
“Uhh … wine.”
“And we’ve got lots of coal mines.”
“Yes! Mines and wines, that’s gold!”
High fives all round.
Councillor who got a high mark in English at school goes:
“But the Rule of Three states that a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers.”
Copywriter thinks for a moment.
“Cessnock: wines, mines, fun times.”
“No we can’t have two concrete nouns and one abstract.”
“I’ve got it,” says the Mayor. “You know what’s our greatest asset?”
And that was that.
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And if you liked this story you might also enjoy Are You A Karen? Take The Entitlement Test
Shout out to Jakki Govan for putting the Staycation on my radar. Thanks you legend!
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