Hasta La Creative!

LONDON – Guardian News and Media’s marketing director, Marc Sands, is leaving the newspaper group following a board level restructure, to be replaced by Adam Freeman.

The UK advertising market deteriorated faster than expected in the first half of 2009 and falls are set to continue well into next year, according to the latest forecast by ZenithOptimedia.

Seven Squared, the customer publisher, has set up a new agency that will look to pick up small to medium-sized clients.

Honey Monster is to join the Fun Kids radio station as a roving reporter for 12 weeks in a promotion to drive awareness of the Honey Monster brand from 31 October.

LONDON – Absolute Radio is trialling a new iTunes podcast store to showcase its array of more than 100 podcasts.

LONDON – News International has reshuffled its senior commercial personnel and set up a new eight-strong unit, headed by former group classified advertising director, David German, which will work with clients on alternative remuneration deals.

Maybe it’s the transitory nature of business these days or the the strict focus on business/clients and profitability, but finding and being a mentor is still invaluable to our industry and an enriching part of our humanity.

Early on, there were no formal mentoring programs where I began, but there were a lot of smart, fascinating people who were willing to talk about their work, their thought processes, and their clients. I’d watch how they presented, how they worked with clients, and how they handled themselves and their craft. There was much to study and absorb.

Slowly, I struck up conversations with them and developed relationships with my secret mentors, and it wasn’t just people from the creative side. I got to know senior account directors and media planners. Even the crusty, old guy in the studio was a source of wisdom and experience.

That’s one of the great things about our business: There’s always something new to learn if you’re open to it. I’d encourage people who are breaking into the business to poke your nose into a veteran’s office or cube and get to know them. Show some enthusiasm. That’s how you start a relationship. Later you might ask his or her opinion about your work or for career advice.

You don’t have to act on all you learn and hear, but you might walk away with a piece of knowledge you didn’t show up to work with. You can use what you learn from others to help chart your own course.

If you’re a veteran, show some patience and interest with the newbies. Don’t forget we were all newbies once upon a time. Spend more time chatting with your next generation, and get to know their work, life, and expectations. Your thinking and work will benefit from their freshness. Think of it as a reverse form of mentoring.

Give it a try. Ignore your e-mails and silence your Blackberries for a few minutes and reach out. It’s well worth the effort for everyone.

John Kistner is a freelance Creative Director/Writer/Closet Cartoonist. You can check out his handiwork here.

LONDON – The COI has been left reeling after losing a freedom of information (FOI) tribunal case relating to feedback given to unsuccessful tenders.

LONDON – FT Group’s revenue increased 10% year on year in the first nine months of 2009, parent Pearson said today (20 October).

Une captation du célèbre photographe Vincent Laforet (déja présenté de nombreuses fois) avec le tout nouveau Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, un reflex numérique professionnel. Un court-métrage sobrement intitulé “Nocturne”. L’appareil sera disponible pour 5299 euros en décembre.

Portfolio de Vincent Laforet – Fiche Canon EOS 1D Mark IV

Previously on Fubiz

• Showdown with Zeus
• China’s 60th Anniversary
• Egor Bashakov