Paul Lavoie, Canadian advertising legend, talks about wearing a competitor's shoes to a Nike pitch, the importance of culture and leadership in advertising agencies, and memorable stories of rejecting creativity and missed opportunities, along with the challenges and enjoyment of the advertising business.
Building a strong agency culture and attracting great talent are key to producing outstanding work.
Taking a stand against toxic or inappropriate behavior from clients is essential to maintaining integrity and values.
Deep dives
The Success of Taxi: Emphasizing Culture and Creative Leadership
Paul LaVois, the founder of Taxi, attributes the success of the agency to its strong culture and focus on attracting great people. By creating a culture where employees feel they make a difference, and valuing creative thinking and great leadership, Taxi was able to consistently produce outstanding work. LaVois also stresses the importance of being vigilant in maintaining the agency's culture, as it requires continuous care and effort, like tending to a garden.
The Worst Meeting Ever: Dealing with a Creepy Client
LaVois shares a memorable story about a client meeting gone terribly wrong. During a meeting with a client from a pantyhose company, the client suddenly criticized the agency's posters, calling them offensive and suggesting they contained subliminal messages. LaVois recounts how he responded by making sarcastic remarks and challenging the client's perspective, amusing his team while simultaneously realizing that they would not be able to work with this client. He highlights the importance of taking a stand when encountering toxic or inappropriate behavior from clients.
Sticking to Values: The Marketing Awards Incident
LaVois recounts a story that led him to decline an invitation to be the chairman of the marketing awards. When a controversial ad campaign was pulled due to complaints, the magazine publisher responsible for the awards fired an innocent employee instead of standing up for the agency's work. LaVois chose to step down from his role as chairman, emphasizing the importance of not compromising one's values and integrity, even in the face of negative consequences.
Unconventional Strategies: Winning the Nike Pitch
LaVois shares amusing anecdotes about unconventional strategies used during pitches. He recalls wearing competitor shoes to a meeting with Nike, which grabbed their attention and showcased Taxi's audacity. For another pitch, LaVois borrowed an office space in the MuchMusic building to create the perception of an established agency. These stories highlight the importance of standing out and taking creative risks during the pitch process.
Canadian advertising legend Paul Lavoie talks about what happens when you show up to a Nike pitch wearing their competitor’s shoes, why you shouldn’t turn down stock from a start-up owned by someone named Jeff Bezos, and a worst meeting ever story so controversial it can’t be alluded to here. Buckle up for the most unfiltered IOFA yet.
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