Mike Martinez’s Post

So there I was, fresh from the whirlwind of McCann NYC, landing with a bit of a thud in London, 2008. The transition from bustling ad scenes to, well, a career pause wasn't exactly what I'd call a soft landing. The job market was as inviting as a closed door. Fast forward to my first big client meeting in London. To say I was a bundle of nerves is an understatement. I was so jittery, I resorted to fidgeting with my pen, desperately trying to find my client-speaking groove. And then, as if to add a dramatic flair to my anxiety, the pen exploded. Ink. Everywhere. It was like a scene from a comedy sketch, except it was my life. The meeting took a nosedive, and so did my confidence. But, you know what? It was in that inky mess that I realised we're all just human. Even clients. There's this illusion of perfection we chase after, but real life? It's far from perfect. That day, covered in ink and embarrassment, I think I became more human to my clients. And somehow, that disastrous meeting turned into the foundation of a strong, successful working relationship. It was as if letting my guard down and showing my vulnerability made me more relatable, more trustworthy. When our client L'Oréal rolled out their #WorthitResume campaign, it struck a chord with me. It was a reminder that our mess-ups, our not-so-fine moments, are often where we shine the brightest. Or, at the very least, where we learn the most. Now, when I present, I keep my hands free – no pens to betray me. I've embraced my story, ink stains and all, because sharing these moments can help us all be a bit more forgiving of our flaws and fearless in the face of new challenges. So, here's to the mishaps, the blunders, and the beautifully imperfect journey. It's through these #proudfailures that we truly grow. Shayne Millington Elav Horwitz Nusara Chinnaphasaen Ioana Filip Isabel Castens Erica Yahr (she/her) Stephanie Nerlich Ann-Christine Diaz Ioana Zamfir Would you join me and post your own “proud failures” stories? Please include hashtags below👇🏼 #WorthitResume #LOrealParis #TruthWellTold #McCannWorldgroup

This week (Nov 12th) was 17 years since I accidentally ended up in media Many people in the agency world hop around. Zero judgement. That was never my thing. 2 agencies, 12 years - and then Quan. I spent 7 years at my first shop - Zenith Media. 7 years = 50 agency years essentially. Why so long in one place? Check out this photo below. Two of the best bosses I've ever had - and a co-worker who got me through some years where I really wasn't quite thrilled with the channel I was working in. It's the people. It's always the people. This is just a microcosm of why I stayed at Zenith for 7 years. We had a helluva group that made work not feel like work. You not only spent weekdays with these people - you spent weekends. Couple that with great leadership + amazing clients, why ever leave? We're in a group chat together and talk almost everyday - but haven't all been together in 3+ years. Paul Lenhart changed all that. It was time. I love these people - and I love that I found this industry. Happy Friday! (for those who know him, Jon is actually very happy here) #work #life #career #media #advertising #OOH #DOOH #activation

We are a month on from the Campaign UK Breakfast Briefing ‘The Year Ahead’ where speakers including Leo Burnett's Chaka Sobhani and Saatchi & Saatchi’s Richard Huntington, discussed what lies ahead for adland in 2024. Besides the continued and healthy conversations around inclusion, hybrid working and AI, here are the three thoughts that have stayed with me… 1. Times have changed:  Our nights out will begin and end earlier. The hardest reservation to get in a restaurant now is the first sitting, the National Theatre are trialing earlier show times and Annie Mac is hosting raves that get you home before bedtime. Let’s check our audiences are still where we think they are. 2. We are responsible for setting the tone:  I’ve always subscribed to the theory of the self-fulfilling prophecy so was pleased to hear the panel acknowledge how powerful this can be as a collective. Optimism and hope starts with us. There’s enough doom and gloom out there. Let’s not add to it with more negativity. Sew the seed of positivity and possibility and watch it flourish. 3. Find the fun:  Dan Morris from The Or said it’s our job to “sprinkle some sugar on the medicine“. In challenging times we need a spark of joy. This certainly explains the wave of briefs we have received that are steeped in comedy or nostalgic nods of happier times. More of this please creatives! #CamYearAhead #KruLive #BrandExperiences #EventProfs #EventStaffing #LoveForPeople

It’s my 1 year redundancy anniversary! 🎂🥳 It’s not something many people celebrate, but it also means it’s nearly my 1 year anniversary at AgencyGMR and BGFG, and that definitely IS something to celebrate. In the last year, I have: ⭐ Worked with the FA and shot content with England Football players. ⭐ Created content that was displayed on the screens in Piccadilly Circus. ⭐ Grown the LG TikTok account to 100K followers and 1M likes. ⭐ Had my work quoted and used for game promotion on Steam. And that’s just the first few things off the top of my head. Redundancies are a cross-industry issue right now, and no amount of “it will all work out” and “everything happens for a reason” will make any difference to how difficult it is. But as someone who is 1 year removed from the whole situation, would I say it’s one of the best things that has happened to me? Quite possibly. #Redundancy #SocialMediaMarketing #SocialMediaManager #Marketing

Everyone has a favorite Super Bowl spot, but which do the creative minds behind the spots think is the real MVP? Watch the teaser below and catch the full video on ADWEEK.com! Edit by Malinda DiPasquale

The recent layoffs at McCann Relationship LLC in Detroit, where over 120 advertising professionals were reportedly affected following GM's advertising budget reallocation, highlight an important reality in the creative industry: change is constant, and agency professionals need to be prepared for unexpected transitions. For many creatives, such moments can become catalysts for starting their own ventures. As you consider launching your own creative agency – whether due to corporate restructuring or simply pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions – you're likely thinking about the initial challenges: securing clients, establishing operations, and building your brand. However, equally important is planning for your agency's future evolution, including the possibility of taking on a business partner. While partnership can accelerate growth and expand capabilities, it requires careful forethought about how that relationship might eventually end. In a new article on the Dalton & Tomich website (link in the comments), I share tips for creative agency owners—regardless of how long an agency has been in existence—about some of the opportunities and obstacles they should be thinking about when considering adding a new partner to their business.

I love a whodunnit, especially one set at Christmas. While everyone and anyone will be sharing their opinions of Yuletide's creative offerings from Adland, I'm full of admiration for the work that has gone into Waitrose & Partners campaign this year. 🥮 🗡️ Not only does it have a funny script and a clever central idea that makes it an actual advert that you're going to want to watch over and over to figure out the solution, but it's a lovely tribute to the murder mystery movies from over the decades with their all-star casts where anyone could have been the culprit. “Like Christmas is for many families, detective shows are high stakes and high pressure. We wanted to dramatise that," explains Waitrose customer director Nathan Ansell. 🎄 Created by Saatchi & Saatchi, its chief creative officer Franki Goodwin also spoke with Creative Salon Worldwide's Scarlett Sherriff to explain why they chose a serialised format for this year's campaign and why it suits Waitrose so well. If you haven't gotten in on the mystery then check it out now before the culprit is revealed and follow up with the social media content via TikTok where each suspect is interviewed through supporting activity. It's genius stuff. I think - somehow - the cat done it! 😸 Read the whole piece about the strategy via the link in the comments below 👇 #Watirose #saatchiandsaatchi #christmasad #advertising #marketing #mystery #marketingstrategy

From Soap to Success: Claude Hopkins' Unlikely Path Did you know that some of the most iconic ad campaigns of the early 20th century were created by a man who started his career selling soap door-to-door? In "My Life in Advertising," Claude Hopkins recounts his humble beginnings and the valuable lessons he learned. From writing free ads for local merchants to becoming one of the highest-paid admen of his time, Hopkins' journey is nothing short of inspirational. Key takeaways from his story: 1: Every experience is a learning opportunity 2: Understanding your customer is crucial 3: Hard work and innovation pay off What unlikely experiences have shaped your career? Share your story! #CareerJourney #AdvertisingLegends #SuccessStories

Great session for advice with your Out of Home advertising. Click on the link below to join.

Another great heart warming christmas ad from John Lewis & Partners A brilliant reminder of why video is the ultimate tool for emotional storytelling. so what can local businesses learn from this? 1️⃣ Use video to create emotional connections. 2️⃣ Tap into nostalgia for relatability and engagement. 3️⃣ Align content with your core values to build trust. 4️⃣ Invest in quality visuals and music for a polished image. 5️⃣ Tell stories that leave a lasting impression. You don’t need a big budget—authentic storytelling is what counts! 🌟 #VideoMarketing #Storytelling #ChristmasMarketing