Comments on: Would you hire this guy for your marketing/PR/video/social media campaign?

By: mark hankins

mark hankins — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:45:16 +0000

Again I say, save the mullet. Right, I’m off to start a facebook group!

By: travis

travis — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:58:40 +0000

Sounds like they need to stop the madness. What you describe is not an isolated problem. The baby boomer marketing crowd is getting older and too out of touch with many of their demographics. As internet usage and social media grow, it becomes easier and easier for younger demographics to spot what I like to call a “phony” (advertising put out for a specific demographic, that uses yesterday’s tired, busted trends instead of creating revelant new ones.). I am also of the opinion that any advertising should have a life of its own, and should not be made for the purpose of marketing advertising only. It should entertain and be useful, not just exist to sell you a product. Most agencies I’ve seen will never understand this, or you. They will try to change you forever. It’s hair now, next week the chucks will have to go, then no more bandanna.

Don’t do it.
Damn the man, save the planet!

By: Jon Ray

Jon Ray — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:36:15 +0000

@gavin – Good Advice.

@Lost Werks – You really think it’s “bad azz”?

@Damon – It would be a nice account to land. I just need to decide how much I like looking like the creepy guy at the party. ;)

@johnerik – I told them I was going to pool my social community to see if it was a good idea and explained that these are the type of things that can turn a social media campaign on its head. I think they’re starting to understand how this all works after seeing these comments. It might be the best hands on presentation I could have offered them, so that they really GET it now and we can proceed with nothing but success.

@mark hankins – You’re pretty much making it a sin for me to cut my mullet, now. ;) I’m trying to not be mean about it. I know they didn’t realize what that question would mean to me.

By: mark hankins

mark hankins — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:39:21 +0000

Don’t do it!

If you’re hired as a youth consultant, screw them. Ring them up and tell them you did not realise they were so out of touch with their target demographic and tell them that they are just too old fashioned for you to work with.

That way you can’t lose, you get to keep the mullet and my guess is that they will then re-approach you and ask you to re-negotiate with them. (You now want an extra 10% because you didn’t realise how much work you needed to do to bring them up-to-speed!)

Keep the mullet!

By: johnerik

johnerik — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:32:58 +0000

LOLOL

do not cut, unless you really want to. that’s redic. — but be nice to them about it – make sure it’s clear that you understand WHY they would want you to.

haha – i guess they dont read blogs ?

By: Damon Clinkscales

Damon Clinkscales — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:53:33 +0000

Unless you’re starving, hell no. :) If they didn’t hire you for you, then what’s the point. You’re a “youth culture” consultant for crying out loud. You’re not their employee (fortunately).

I mean what’s the big deal, cut your hair, get the gig if you really want it…it’s ok.

But it seems particularly perplexing given the reason they hired you and could be a warning sign to run the other direction from the project.

In general I would say you want to look for clients which “get you and your style” rather than those who don’t. I’m sure you’ll find some.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:40:31 +0000

Cool post. I say just be yourself.

Jim

By: Vladislav Chernyshov

Vladislav Chernyshov — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:47:47 +0000

Sure, why not? :)

By: Lost Werks

Lost Werks — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:11:00 +0000

I can’t believe you have to ask for other people’s opinion on this. I mean, when the sweetness that is the Jon Ray mullet makes it’s way into a room, how do people not just faint from how bad azz it is? You are good enough to get other clients if they can’t handle you looking like their target audience. Keep the mullet.

By: Gavin Heaton

Gavin Heaton — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:26:12 +0000

You are more than your appearance, right? The problem is that this cuts both ways. How you appear to others and how your appearance reflects your sense of identity don’t often correspond. The answer depends on what you want to achieve.

I once had a job where an important aspect was interviewing people. One day I happened to wear a suit. Suddenly people were more forthcoming with information. Suddenly they trusted me more. They would more willingly share the knowledge that would make my life (and work easier).

From that day onwards I wore a suit everyday. It didn’t change me, but it made it easier for me to achieve my objectives. Like most things, it’s a game … but it is one that you can win if you have the right frame of reference ;)

Good luck.