Advertisers often strive…

Advertisers often strive for the common touch: real people selling to real people. This was what WARL Change Behaviour had in mind when it was charged with creating a relaunch campaign for the Birmingham Mail. However, the Diary can only assume that “real people” are in short supply in the West Midlands, as this 96-sheet poster advertising the relaunch (above) consists not only of a group of models, but also 11 agency staff and a senior client. The builder at the front of the queue holding a “jobs” sign may look like your average brickie, but on closer inspection he bears a striking resemblance to WARL creative director Tommy Adkins. And the lady sixth in the queue holding a “Bargains” sign may look like she’s been plucked from a shopping expedition, but the Diary can’t help but marvel at how similar in appearance she is to Trinity Mirror Midlands regional marketing director Jane Nugent. Surely it is common knowledge that if you want “real” people, the last place you should look is an advertising agency?