The 2009 Rosey Awards campaign: Talking Smack
July 7, 2009 by JoelGunz
This originally appeared as an email letter circulated to PAF members and others associated with the Portand Creative Community.
Many of you have questioned why the PAF chose to disparage other cities in this year’s Rosey call to entries. The answer is that while some of us fervently believe that Portland is a creative hot spot, it is more in the nature of our creative culture to be humble and soft spoken about our talents.
So what if we suddenly awakened in this current competitive environment and showed a little more chutzpah and brio? What if we started bragging and ultimately, what if we started out and out trash talking like they do on the basketball court? That was the premise the PAF started with for the Rosey Awards; let’s let those other cities know who the heck we are.
And it worked, the campaign is being noticed by you, in Adweek and in other cities. Ironically, the execution seems to have bruised the sensibilities of a few of us in the community who would rather remain modest.
Personally I enjoyed the fun of the concept and know that at the end of the day, it isn’t the trash talking that matters, it’s that you win the game or in this case, a Rosey. So enter the Rosey Awards and show us what you got. The trash talking is optional.
Jerry Ketel
President
Portland Advertising Federation
*whoa* Assumption City!
“…So what if we suddenly awakened in this current competitive environment …”
What does *this* mean?… That PDX is asleep at the wheel; out of touch; backwater? What… what?
And who is staring in the role of Prince Charming that awakened this Sleeping Beauty. Did she awaken suddenly because there was a crash in the kitchen as intruders kicked in her door?
“…it is more in the nature of our creative culture to be humble and soft spoken about our talents.”
Who R we talking about again? And they live where?
“…. bruised the sensibilities of a few of us in the community who would rather remain modest.”
From whence does this Lucy’s Little Known Scientific Fact arise? (with respect to Charles Schultz) Maybe the motivation is other. Got a significant sampling, or is this the creative’s gut?
Could you have misconstrued the emotion entirely…? That w/b a a buzz kill.
just sayin’ dOOde…
12:35 pm, July 7, 2009 Comment by PDXsays
(This note was sent to Jerry Ketel in response to his email above.)
Jerry,
Advertising awards are all about “my stuff is better than your stuff.” American, Oregon and Portland culture are all competitive by nature. So that makes our local advertising awards show extremely competitive. Like it or not, the competitive streak running through the Portland advertising business improves the quality of the creative product.
The campaign from the Portland Advertising Federation, calling for Rosey Award entries, was right on target. It got the members of our communications team talking. Not “trash” talking, but talking about what might be worth entering. And that was the whole point, right?
It was very nice of you to offer, but the explanation below was not necessary. For those who might have asked for one, I suggest they pick up their things and move to one of those other towns mentioned in the campaign.
Stan Sittser
Customer Communications Supervisor
Portland General Electric
1:04 pm, July 7, 2009 Comment by JoelGunz
?
I don’t read any comments questioning it….
6:49 pm, July 7, 2009 Comment by chilagro