Thursday, May 23, 2013

ADS CAN CHANGE LIVES


by Roger Pe

Some people say advertising is a waste of time and money. The good thing is, the number of people who say that today is getting fewer and fewer every day.

Advertising educates. It opens people’s eyes and makes people think, giving millions of us a better choice.

It makes brands a lot better because of competition. Without advertising we’ll have no way of finding out what is good and what is bad. On a bigger scale, advertising can build schools, character and even a country.

“Advertising can in fact, change lives,” Raul Castro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McCann Worldgroup Philippines, tells Business Friday in an interview.

“When I’m asked my opinion of an idea, I ask my team: What will change because of this? Whose life will it change if we run this?”

In his Lifetime Achievement Award speech bestowed by the Creative Guild, award-giving body of the Philippine 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies) a month ago, Castro said:

“If indeed it will change something, will it change it positively, for the good, for the better? By answering the questions, everything difficult about the job becomes easier to deal with, because there’s meaning to what you do. It becomes more than just beating a deadline.”

Castro never dreamed of becoming a CEO. Right after graduating from UP College of Mass Communications, the Broadcast Communication major joined the advertising business because it was the “coolest thing to be in during that time.”

The first job that he applied for was in media department because one classmate said “people there get many gifts during Christmas.”

In the application form, he was asked the second department he’d like to be in. He wrote Broadcast Production because he was told that producers also get a lot of gifts on Christmas.

He ended up in creative department as a copywriter. “I thought it was the worst because one didn’t get gifts on Christmas and nobody outside advertising knew exactly what a copywriter did,” he says.

He spent many years in Lowe Worldwide, an agency that has seen many name changes: SSC&B Lintas, Lintas, Lowe-Lintas and finally, Lowe Worldwide. In the same breath, his stature would also change.


He rose from the ranks, emerging as the agency’s creative department head when fancy advertising titles were unheard of and creative directors weren’t a dime a dozen.

“I learned many beautiful and good things from many people. There are so many good things around us that we can learn from if we only know how to harness them. I once heard a punchline from a janitor and used it,” he says.

Many of Castro’s campaigns for Unilever, Surf, in particular (“Lumen” series) were used abroad, dubbed in foreign languages and boosted sales.

He and his team created campaigns one after the other effecting change in the agency’s billings and market shares, eventually toppling market leaders.

Surf used to be a cheap bar until it became Unilever's flagship detergent brand. The ad campaign "Lumen," which was about a bar that could give savings to housewives, increased sales for Surf and was followed by other countries.

At Lowe, Castro helped the agency build a portfolio of commercials synonymous to sequels that became a trend. Remember the courtship of Lando and Lumen, their wedding, birth of the twins and their baptism? Pinoys watched and the world noticed.

In 2007, Castro achieved his lifelong dream of making it to McCann. “I have always been a fan of McCann and there are a lot of reasons. One of them is its culture of doing noble things beyond advertising. I have long been wanting to join an agency that champions positivity on a broader scale,” he proudly says.


“Everything that the agency does makes an impact, not only to the industry that it belongs to but a bigger sphere of the community,” he says with so much passion you can almost hear his heartbeat.

He mentions San Miguel Beer, which united the country after a celebrated pitch and it launched “Iba Ang May Pinagsamahan,” a campaign full of meaning beyond the brand promise.

Biogesic’s “Ingat”, for example, not only made people feel better but also made our community a safer place. If you take a closer look, Globe ads go beyond texting. It tells us that communication shapes lives, businesses and relationships.

Jollitown made television child-friendly. BPI on the other hand, encouraged people to do the best with the money they have. "BPI's Institutional campaigns "Let's Make It Easy" and the Facebook campaign "Talk To Us" empowers Filipinos to be financially well and knowledgeable."

“That’s what I love with McCann. Part of our idea of creative solution is to transform brands as agents of change,” Castro says about the agency’s brand of advertising.


“People in advertising, or those who profess to use the media have a lot of opportunities to do good and effect positive change,” he says.

“In Maggi, we not only romanticized Filipino culture but brought it to the fore and empowered mothers, the people whom we sometimes take for granted.

The Maggi ads we have created gave tribute to all mothers for delighting their families through home cooking. Moreover, our Maggi ads empowered them with the knowledge to prepare traditionally home-cooked Filipino staples.

In Coke’s “The OFW Project”, we wove into the story the most challenged part of our society, the family.”

To celebrate the momentous event, the iconic household name, did it more meaningfully, not with a grandiose announcement and breast-beating logo, nor with a spectacular pyrotechnics display - but by simply becoming real.

Before the cold winds of winter seeped through our homes in December of 2011, Coke was a friend, wanting Overseas Filipino Workers shed tears of joy.


Many of those who saw the soft drink’s virals on Youtube got affected, so affected they cried.

Who wouldn’t? Filipinos have many extended families across the archipelago, even in many parts of the world. It’s safe to say that every Filipino household has an OFW relative and can tell how hard it is to be one. If it affects a non-family member, imagine if the loved one’s story was actually being told.

In this non-traditional vehicle, a girl narrated how she’d rather send her vacation pay home than spend it on airfare. That way, her family could make both ends meet and pay for other needs.

Choked by emotion, a man told us he didn’t see his baby grow up because his family needed money to keep body and soul together.

For millions of Filipinos like them who couldn’t go home no matter how much they wanted to, Coca-Cola gave them precious gifts money can’t buy: The joy of seeing loved ones on Christmas.

“It is not just about selling bottles of softdrinks anymore. It is sharing positive things for the better,” Castro says.

McCann’s “The OFW Project” for Coca-Cola became the country’s most awarded online campaign. When it won the Platinum, the ultimate accolade in the Asia-Pacific Digital Media Awards, the jury described it as “a viral sensation that triggered massive cultural and emotional impact because of the insight-rich strategy and heartwarming video execution.”


At its peak, Coke’s “The OFW Project” was the world’s most shared video, getting over 1Million shares by netizens from different parts of the globe.

Two years ago, millions of commuters along Edsa saw the country’s first living billboard unveiled, a 60 ft by 60 ft of tea plants that could absorb an average of 13 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

Like the “OFW Project” that went viral, this one got word-of-mouth faster than a speeding bullet.

Advertising bible Ad Age noticed and so did New York’s Adweek, The Huffington Post, Forbes and practically all the world’s major trade magazines and their digital editions.


How is Castro as a CEO? “You become a leader when you put people first.
You can’t be about yourself anymore. You are there to create the kind of atmosphere that will help a greater number of people, provide a panorama of solutions that will transform your clients’ brands and grow their business,” he charmingly says.

Castro was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Creative Guild of the Philippines at the 2013 Kidlat Awards.

In his acceptance speech, he defined successful advertising as, “works that can positively impact on people’s lives. That has become my guiding principle in almost everything I do, in the business I’ve decided to stay in. If, through my works, I have changed, even for a wee bit, one person’s life positively, then I think I have achieved something. Only then would I think, I deserve this award,” he says.

The Guild unanimously credited him for steering the most number of brands to market leadership. His body of works is recognized locally and internationally for creating positive impact on brands, businesses and consumers.
Aside from “The OFW Project” and “Living Billboard” McCann has created landmark campaigns under his leadership: “Iamninoy, Jollibee “Jollitown,” Bank of the Philippine Islands “Let’s Make it Easy,” Enervon “Energive- Energuard,” among others.

Castro joins an illustrious list of advertising mavericks who were previously honored: JJ Calero, Emily Abrera, Mon and Abby Jimenez, Minyong OrdoƱez and Jimmy Santiago.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

TIRED OF FORMULA ADVERTISING? DO CREATIVE ENGINEERING.

by Roger Pe


What makes a story extraordinary?

It has a simple plot. Interesting characters. Unexpected twist. And certainly, that central character that comes in the nick of time to solve a difficulty, the superhero.

In Greek drama, deus ex machina was often performed in ancient theatres, with an actor playing god or goddess lowered literally by a mechanical device from suspension above the stage.

His role was to bring a solution to overwhelming odds, sort things out and whip up a tidy conclusion to a convoluted situation. He was like superman, a knight in shining armor, ready to give you a happy ending.

In a nutshell, that’s how IdeasXMachina built around its agency idea and got its name, a creative engine in full throttle, an idea machine always switched on when others are switched off, an ‘engine-ius’ presence, so to speak, when brands need brighter and better illuminating creative solutions.

Popularly called with an edgy three-letter name, IXM was one of the newest kids on the advertising block that sprouted when the industry’s landscape experienced tectonic shifts over the last few years.

For its size, accounts won and body of work, IXM ranks high or perhaps already on top of the heap in its category today.

Credit its superhero Third Domingo, founder, CEO and Chief Creative who’s single-handedly made IXM a powerhouse creative boutique and award-winning local advertising agency.

In such a short time, IXM has amassed a sterling roster of clients like Pepsi-Tropicana, ConceptFoods Corp, MakatiMed, AXA Insurance, BoosterC Energy, Senator Dick Gordon, Phinma Properties, Aboitiz Power, SM Men's Fashion, Pasig City Gov't, Hapee Icy Fresh, Meralco Foundation and PalmerAsia, a veritable magnet to brands looking for fresher creative perspective from the tired old formula.


Last year, the agency helped launched Pepsi’s Tropicana Coco Quench with a series of attention-getting tv commercials.
The new product is 100 percent fresh and made from real coconut water, the first locally produced drink with an eight-month shelf life.

IXM is also best known for changing the way people look at pedestrian lanes in Pasig. Remember those eye-catching lanes when you crossed the street in the area?

What’s the secret?

It’s probably Domingo’s creative DNA, the passionate workhorse, tirelessly spinning machine with a gungho “I know I can win” attitude.

It could be his ‘creative engineering’ philosophy. He believes advertising is more of a science, a discipline that respects results and deadlines.

Domingo says IXM moves consumers by devising ‘engine-ius’ communication systems. “It is a pressure we put
on ourselves to create the best work possible for a brand, in its category and in the world. It is the benchmark by which we judge the quality of our existence and paycheck.” Very well said.

“Advertising is a lucrative business if you’re good at it. I can convince and beat anyone,” he tells Business Friday.

You can sense that Domingo has the makings of a David Droga or Crispin Bogusky, two of advertising world’s most successful young creative entrepreneurs because of his strings of account wins.


Domingo calls IXM his baby and dotes on his brainchild. “We’re ready to face the big boys. We are a machine, churning out creative work fast when others belabor and stall time,” he proudly exclaims.

He is the anti-thesis of everyone’s idea of an ad agency CEO, early 30s young, cool, a jeans guy, dashing with his good moreno looks.

You can mistake him for a rocker with loads of talent, a hotshot copywriter who has penned a number of award-winning commercials and steered a string of successful pitches for his former ad agencies.

From the very beginning, Domingo has always thought of putting up his own ad agency that’s why he took up Integrated Marketing Communications in college.

Mentored by some of the best names in the industry and armed with iron-willed determination, there was no reason for him not to succeed. Among local admen who inspired Domingo belonged an illustrious line-up: Teeny Gonzales, Mon Jimenez (now DOT Secretary), Jacinto Puno and Melvin Mangada.

The result: A guy ready to claim the world, someone ambitious to put up his own advertising castle when his peers are still chasing girls and pavements.

He remembers Jimenez for his comprehensiveness, a guy who already knew how a brand would benefit from a campaign proposal at evaluation stage. He’d like to have that gift.

Mangada inspired Domingo for his incisive creativity, dedication to his craft and attention to littlest detail. He attributes Gonzales for painstakingly taking care of him while he was her creative underling, and for being very generous with her time.

From a resident trainee at McCann-Erickson, prolific copywriter at TBWA-SMP, Domingo became the country’s youngest Creative Director (Publicis-Jimenez) at 26, working on brands like Jollibee, Globe, Unilab and SaraLee.


In McCann, he was one of the copywriters for Sprite “Magpakatotoo Ka” campaign, voted as the Philippines' best of the past decade.

Collaborating with the best creative minds in the industry has built him a formidable arsenal of creative weapons, including his mindset.

Unlike most creative people, Domingo is not egoistic. He loves hearing other people’s points-of-view. “At the end of the day, it is still a teamwork,” he explains.

While other creative people are bad at verbal communications, he loves convincing clients with his engaging presentation and convincing skills.

Emily Abrera, one of the industry’s iconic figures once complimented him as someone with “sparkling bright eyes when presenting to clients” – that moment when creative people hug the spotlight to sell their ideas.

The maverick creative that used to hate process has gone a long way and matured considerably. “I am now fond of it and respect it. If you want clients to embrace your idea, we must learn how to put ourselves in their shoes. If you’re in this business, you must learn to understand their business,” he says.

Facing the big boys

You don’t hear the word fear from Domingo. Not even the names of established multinationals brandishing a menu of work and line-up of people. He has beaten them before and would love to do it again.


Winning over some of the industry’s big men in advertising has boosted Domingo’s confidence. He wears it like a badge of courage.

“I believe there are still people out there who look at the work, rather than on credentials alone,” he emphasizes.

A look at some of his campaigns for several local and international ads made for Shangri-La Hotels, Adidas, TouchMobile, Cadbury-Halls, Bic ballpens, Cerebral Palsy Org, Bench, Philippine General Hospital, Diatabs, Alaxan, Solmux, Eskinol, Ayala Land, Nissan, and Apple won awards and brought sales to his clients.

The young teacher who teaches young kids advertising always tells his students: “Greatness doesn’t come easy. You just have to do it like Rizal and his idealistic buddies. Del Pilar, Luna, Lopez Jaena, all started young and they made impct,” he says.

Domingo was very active in the Creative Guild’s “Raw School”, a series of classes attended by young, raw talents from different advertising agencies. Executive Creative Directors from 4A’s member agencies take three hours off their crazy schedules to talk about how to make advertising that works.

How is he as a creative boss? “I give feedback immediately. If I have to sit with the person who’s cracking the brief, I will guide him or her to do it,” he says.

Domingo’s most memorable moment in advertising was when he took the lead in a big business pitch. When his immediate superior was unavailable, he took the bull by the horn and brought home the bacon. That intensified his burning desire: he, too, can lead, do it and win.


Outside of advertising, Domingo organizes learning communities for street kids with a youth club called “MalakingMunti” (BigSmall) and for this was inducted to the Ten Most Outstanding Citizens of Muntinlupa.

He gives back to his alma mater, teaches copywriting and art direction at the University of Asia and the Pacific. Many upcoming young creatives in the industry right now came from his class, chasing their dreams in advertising, perhaps wanting to follow his footsteps.

Got complicated creative problem? Need someone to disentangle your marketing woes? Rev up your IXM.