What Advertising Teaches Me

I believe advertising to have taught me many different things over the past few years, I believe one of the main lessons learned were about creativity. Creativity, isn't just about the best and brightest idea but about one idea that has meaning or better yet; any one idea that shows the bigger picture. Advertising has taught me how to think more creatively, how to see things in a different perspective, it has helped to broaden my views on what I think to be creativity at it's best. Not to say I wasn't creative before or that my creative thinking process was lacking or underdeveloped. It was simply... Untapped, a big part was yet to have been unlocked; but when unlocked it would show me creativity in a whole new light. I now look at a creative idea, a painting, a commercial of some kind and look for the big idea, the hidden message that only when found shows its true nature. It's a gift that can easily be mastered when motivated enough to learn.

What advertising teaches me on a daily basis is more than just numbers, subheadings, body copies or strategic planning. It teaches me how to understand communication, how to see things for what they truly are, for what is hidden underneath the many layers.

When I think of advertising/marketing and all its methods and paths, I think of it as a big majestic tree with branches and leaves that stretch out into the sky without any boundaries or limitations. A tree that will never stop evolving, that will continue to grow with the ages of life! The tree stump and base is Advertising and Marketing itself, the branches are the divisions and sectors within the industry and the leaves are the professionals (people) and their prestigious titles... This tree is connected to every branch and leaf that grow on it, just as advertising does. What I have come to understand, you may not work for the same company, the same people or even on the same campaign(s). But the main idea is the same throughout the entire industry; it is embedded within us all. Everyone is out there working for the same goals, the same objectives with the same purpose. The branches or sectors may do it in a different fashion, the leaves or professionals might have different work ethics/styles. But when it all comes down to the main goal, the BIG idea... The industry, much like the tree. It works together. All advertising may not be pure, truthful or accurate. It may not always grow as one. But the beauty of advertising is that, we can make it our own. We can create whatever it is we wish! The choice is ours with which path we choose to take.

"Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected."

- William Plomer