Account Planning School Of The Web
So I was sitting and thinking yesterday. And reading The Big Moo and I had an idea.
I've always really liked doing training and stuff; poisoning the minds of young planners and bringing them over to the dark side, and I don't really get to do that in my current job. And I get loads of emails on this site from people looking to become planners or junior planners asking questions or for stuff to read, and I try to answer, but I don't really have good answers to that kind of thing.
So, instead I thought and try and launch a free planning correspondence course. Because it'll be interesting.
I'm thinking it'll work like this:
I'll set an assignment once a month. Posted on the first of the month. It'll be some strategic/creative/researchy issue or something. Anyone who wants to can submit a response. It has to be by the 15th of the month. (No more than 1,000 words, a Powerpoint or Word document, no more than 1MB.) I'll post all the responses on here (anonymously if you want to) with comments and thoughts and critique. And everyone else can comment too. Then we start again the next month. It'll give people something to think about, plus some feedback, which is the thing that lots of planners are starved for.
If it goes well and people want to play then I'll ask some industry luminaries who pass along my way to pose a problem and do some critiquing too. People are always happy to help out with this kind of stuff.
That's all it'll be. There'll be no certificate, no guarantees (or even possibilities) of employment, but just some practise, some fun and some helping each other out.
What do you think? Anyone fancy it? I'll post the first problem on Monday/Tuesday.
sounds like a great idea! i'll definitely be checking this out, if not participating (too busy these days...)
Posted by: s | October 30, 2005 at 09:35 PM
Sounds good. I'm down.
Posted by: ed | October 30, 2005 at 09:45 PM
nice one! I found that feedback on spec work, thought-pieces etc for planners is really hard to come by, and since I'm working on putting a book together I'd like to include other work as well as the day-to-day stuff.
Think it will be really interesting to see what people come up with - will there be a choice of tasks?
PS
Comment above made me laugh - reminds me of a time a few yers ago at Uni where I kept responding to a suggested meeting date "I'm down with Monday" and the flustered professor was like,
"Well then what about Tuesday? No? Wednesday then? What? ... Hang on - is 'down' an affirmation or negative?"
Posted by: anthony | October 30, 2005 at 10:47 PM
Russell that's the best idea ever. I must say you gave me such an opening point of view on how to be a planner in just two days of creative brief course two years ago, I just can't wait to read the first assignment.
Thank you, really beautiful
Posted by: Luca Vergano | October 31, 2005 at 07:38 AM
yup, great idea, count me in. Do I get extra points if I use a triangle?
Posted by: Carol | October 31, 2005 at 08:39 AM
So let's get started already. Still can't believe someone in advertising (or who used to be in advertising) can be so generous with their time but it is inspiring.
Posted by: Benny Thomas | October 31, 2005 at 09:04 AM
this is a fabulous idea!! you cannot imagine how happy you made me!
Posted by: Diana | October 31, 2005 at 11:17 AM
It's genius.
Posted by: Claire | October 31, 2005 at 12:58 PM
I´d like to give it a try. Might be fun to see how others tackle the problem.
Posted by: Tim Keil | October 31, 2005 at 01:23 PM
I've just watched your video over a ham salad baguette. Fantastic stuff, can't tell you're a frustrated comedy writer! I wonder how many planners started this morning with a triangle?
I think this Account Planning School Of The Web is gonna be big.
Posted by: Ben | October 31, 2005 at 01:31 PM
That's the best idea I've heard in quite a while. Count me in!
Posted by: Andrew | October 31, 2005 at 03:37 PM
That's the best idea I've heard in quite a while. Count me in!
Posted by: Andrew | October 31, 2005 at 03:37 PM
Well, it sounds like people are liking this. I'll post the first 'task' tomorrow.
Posted by: russell | October 31, 2005 at 04:13 PM
You had me at "poisoning the minds of young planners".
Posted by: Jonathan | October 31, 2005 at 04:31 PM
This would be a wonderful opportunity. I'm definately submitting. I'm so glad I saw this on the 31st and not the 14th :)
Happy Pumpkin Night.
Posted by: Mel | October 31, 2005 at 05:52 PM
Seeing as you mentioned Mr Godin... He featured us in his "500 companies that make things happen" book a while ago. But I always thought that 500 was a little to common to be truly remarkable?
Posted by: Ben | October 31, 2005 at 08:54 PM
Absolutely.
Posted by: Eva | October 31, 2005 at 09:49 PM
i'm down.
Posted by: eva | October 31, 2005 at 11:10 PM
Great idea, I'm in.
Posted by: Johanna | November 01, 2005 at 04:54 PM
just another question. Is The Big Moo a good read?
Posted by: Tim Keil | November 02, 2005 at 10:01 PM
Yes. it is a good read. And a quick one. There's not a whole heap that's new and breakthrough in it. But it's pacey, smart and full of reminders and good stories about stuff we should probably all already know or be doing. But that we probably aren't.
Posted by: russell | November 02, 2005 at 10:04 PM
What an excellent idea! I have been trying to get into planning. This is my chance!
I'm in!
Posted by: Jinal Shah | November 02, 2005 at 10:32 PM
Brilliant idea! Top 5!
Posted by: hidden persuader | November 06, 2005 at 03:33 PM
This is fabulous idea ... what an opportunity for those still on training wheels.
I have pulled together a bunch of people on this one.
Look fwd. to the post.
Posted by: Vandana | November 07, 2005 at 09:22 PM
Great!!!!! I would add a space to chat and comment about the documents.
Posted by: Vicente Valjalo | November 08, 2005 at 06:43 PM