Answers: Trevor Beattie

Well! That was a treat!

The title of Trevor’s talk for the evening as “What is the Big Idea?”. His answer? In advertising there is no big idea, just lots of little ideas that can contribute to a big idea.

It was a talk full of laughs and interesting takes on the advertising industry. It felt like a collection of some of his favourite pictures and videos that he had put together into a presentation while on the train up from London (which he claimed it was).

I’d been warned that he might be a difficult person to interview, but he was warm, lively, open and unprententious. I suppose it wouldn’t be hard to imagine a fiery Irish temper under it all somewhere, but I saw none of it.

I’ve got to save the bulk of what he said for a article for The Post next week. But Stef (who seems to be in a pre-emptive mood) has posted a summary of the answer to his question here and below are answers to the other questions.

But first, a special mention for Jon Bounds and Birmingham: It’s Not Shit, which – unprompted – Trevor bought up during the interview.

He got introduced to the site by another guy from Birmingham who works at his agency BMB and he thinks it’s a great site! He knows all about why it was set up (failed Capital of Culture bid which Trevor worked on). He is a regular reader and a very proud Brummie.

Bounder’s Answer:

“Of course you can advertise a city, don’t be daft. That’s a silly thing to say. Next question!

“But seriously, you can, but its not up to me to do it – it’s up to everyone and we have to be more arrogant about Birmingham. I can keep shouting the message, but everyone else needs to be doing it too.”

Prem1um’s Answer: I’m afraid I got your question a bit mixed up and asked for the first four, which were: balti, race, humour and Balsall Heath (where he was born).

“I am very proud of Balsall Heath – 56 Brighton Road was where I grew up. Everyone in my business knows where I come from.

“All these cities that talk about multiculturalism. Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool – they’re not multicultural. London is now, but Birmingham invented it.

“When I was growing up in Balsall Heath in the 1970s it was just the way it was. On my road there was my family of Irish Brummies, then next door there was Halal butcher Brummie, across the road there were Jamaican Brummies and a bit further down there was some Pakistani Brummies. That’s how I grew up.”

Any Qs: Trevor Beattie

Trevor Beattie[Answers are here]

Date: Friday, November 9

I am resisting the temptation to add FCUK to a sentence for a cheap smirk.

So, sticking with the unadorned facts, Trevor Beattie is back in his home town on Friday.

The controversial advertising “guru” known for the above French Connection slogan and Wonderbra’s unforgettable “Hello Boys”, will be speak at The Orange Studio on Friday for an event organised by PACE (Publicity Association of Central England).

Tickets cost £40, but if you’re feeling a bit light of pocket then I’m very happy to quiz him on your behalf.

Of course, now I’m running with a theme, I think it would be fun to ask what he thinks of Birmingham’s advertising strategy. What should the city do to pack a punch at home and abroad?

PACE mention he is also booked to go on one of Virgin Galactic’s space flights.

Regional News: The Future?

Media Guardian writes that Trinity Mirror has announced plans for a single, multimedia newsroom at its regional papers in Wales:

Under the new plan, each print title will retain an editor, who will be responsible for all electronic and print channels carrying his title’s brand.

Deputy editors – re-styled as executive editors – will oversee the hour-by-hour operation of the newsroom, working across all media.

I’ve also heard ten jobs will be lost as part of the changes, but I can’t find confirmation of this at the moment. Thoughts?

[Edit – here is a Press Gazette story about the redundancies. Thanks Martin.]

Creative City?

I’ve been really chuffed with the responses The Post has been getting about the Michael Wolff interview and “brand Birmingham”.

Tomorrow (Monday) the paper is going to have quite a bit of reaction in it – both in the Agenda section and the Media & Marketing page. Much of it looks at whether our public bodies are up to the job of promoting the city’s cultural and creative offering.

I’m pleased because it’s a conversation I hope will continue to be high profile – especially considering some of the things taking place in the city at the moment.

It would be nice to think there are enough people agitating for change that we may be able to find a way to reflect Birmingham’s creativity in its image.

Project X Presents

Project X by Marc ReckFor anyone who didn’t attend Project X Presents at the Rainbow Warehouse, well… I’m sorry, but you really missed out.

It was part of the feast of events on offer as part of Gigbeth and I don’t think I’ve been to anything quite like it before. It mixed so many styles and performances and in a way that just worked really well.

Highlights included comedian Reginald D Hunter, Qawwal singers Aashiq al-Rasul and pianist Rich Batsford with accompanying strings battling it out with the amazing wall of sound created by krautrock group Einstellung. My ears are still ringing!

In fact, the night summed up what Birmingham is capable of when it pulls its cultures and its talent together. It’s something we need to do much more of and it’s great to see people in the city trying to make it happen.

The picture above by Marc Reck is from the dress rehearsal on Friday. There were a lot of pictures being taken on the night. I’ll link to them when I find them.

Here’s looking forward to the next performance!

Remember, remember…

Fireworks…the 5th of November.
Gunpowder, treason, and cheap roman candles exploding at 3am in the morning.

Well, being the weekend before Bonfire Night, it’s no surprise the pops and whistles have already started.

I’m getting a fantastic free display from my second floor flat. But I think this building is also acting as an echo chamber.

It’s going to be a noisy few weeks…