An invisible problem

The most disagreeable part of editing Directory is turning away good work. Editing Issue 13 has been more disagreeable than usual.

Every awards organiser has a dark secret. I know. I used to be one. It’s that 90% of the entries never stand a chance and not just because the very best will blow them out of the water – although that’s true as well.

The agency had to create a look and positioning for a financial product which could hold its own in the ultimate arena of cutting-edge innovative design...

Using the bright colours and characters from the advertising, the recruitment into the CRM programme is an easy to complete questionnaire for mums and kids.

The creative force was a combination of well-crafted copy with state-of-the-art digital technology producing up to 40,000 variables per campaign...

Why is it that judging is such an odd (albeit rewarding) experience?

Kern scientists were asked to weigh every element of their corporate stationery (from the letterhead to the envelope, down to the very ink on the business card) to a staggering seven decimal places...

The challenge was to turn RNLI from being the ‘least known charity among the youth’ to ‘one of the most talked about online in summer 08’... by discovering a higher purpose than sea rescue: the contribution young people make to society as a whole. After all, RNLI itself has no fewer than 470 volunteers under the age of 25 who are willing to risk their own lives to save others at sea.

An interesting tale of the on-going renaissance of direct mail, the continuing struggle of email and the shambolic incompetence of Royal Mail…

‘Thmbnls’ was a teen video drama broadcast for free over 22 weekly episodes exclusively on mobiles.

Direct mail and a fully personalized website helped every customer feel excited by the holiday ahead and involved in preparing for it with Thomsons.

In a category clouded by white softness, the bold tree-themed campaign had major cut-through...

Spookily interesting 35 case studies plus 10 Gold winners from the UK 2009 DMA Awards. 45 examples of great, recent direct campaigns for you. For visitors, we give you all the editorial FREE. And 8 case histories FREE.

The creative vehicle is an animated double act. The Blue character represents quality. He’s what you’d expect from Zurich; mature and responsible.

A look at Cannes 2009 by Patrick Collister and a look in particular at some of the great work coming out of Brussels

This month’s Guest Editor is Dave King, Executive Creative Director of AIM Proximity New Zealand. Dave has won just about every major award going except a Gold Lion at Cannes. He got two Silvers this year and won the Grand Prix at The Caples but he is still driven to do better work for clients who appreciate that more engaging ideas lead to more handsome returns. Dave selected the 36 campaigns that are featured in Issue 12 and found the time to write a few words about what he’s going to be doing to help his agency emerge from recession smiling.

Patrick Collister, editor of Directory pays tribute to the former Directory team, namely Georgia Malden and also to the global agencies for the quantity and quality of the submissions for issue 11.

Lowe Sydney's Chris Hunter tells us that it isn’t all downhill downunder

Patrick Collister reports on the best campaigns and agencies of 2008

Patrick Collister suggests how direct marketing can lessen the pain of recession

David Prideaux in London discusses the new rules of creativity

As direct increasingly splits into direct direct and indirect direct, are the Lions at risk of becoming irrelevant?

Patrick Collister gives his highlights from this issue and makes a plea to subscribers...

Selina Ang gives us a glimpse into the market in Malaysia

Guest Editor Steve Harrison on the importance of getting the thinking right before the creative begins

The agency Christmas card as new business tool

How a little client TLC can make good ideas great

Once again, Directory's Patrick Collister took to the Croisette with his camcorder to interview some of the great and the good at Cannes. Watch his home movie to find out what the Direct President Rory Sutherland, Direct juror Stuart Stobbs and Direct Grand Prix winner Shackleton's Pablo Alzugaray had to say about this year's winners.

And Directory goes from strength to strength. In Issue 4 we review some of the most recent work in the world of DM.

Patrick Collister explores some of the ways direct marketing can engage consumers through appealing to their senses.