The Courage to be Different in Advertising: Highlights from Peter Levitan's appearance on Joseph Jaffe is not Famous

In a lively and insightful conversation (watch here) with advertising veteran PETER LEVITAN , we journeyed through the ever-evolving world of advertising. From the glamor of Cannes to the humor-filled corridors of agencies, we explored what it truly means to be creative, take risks, and stand out.

Levitan's illustrious career, spanning from commercial photography in San Francisco to digital innovation with groundbreaking companies like Active Buddy and Smarter Child, reveals a fascinating tale of transformation. It's a vivid picture of an industry grappling with the fusion of art and science, creativity and analytics, intuition and precision.

One of the alarming revelations is the fear in the industry. The fear of taking risks, of standing out, of embracing humor, and indeed, of being different. This fear, Levitan argues, has led to the decline of truly remarkable advertising. The magic is lost in the data-driven models and the insatiable need to appeal universally.

Remember Apple's "Think Different" campaign? Those two words resonate now more than ever. We've become fixated on fitting in rather than standing out, on blending in rather than making a statement. Levitan urges us to think differently and take the road less traveled.

He also emphasizes personal branding, citing how the way we dress, act, and even the backgrounds we choose for our virtual calls contribute to our professional identity. We are our own canvas, painting our unique picture for the world to see.

The decline of humor in advertising is also mourned. Levitan reminds us of the power of laughter and the creativity that it brings to the table. Perhaps, it's time to bring humor back into the room.

The conversation culminates in the concept of "UNignorable thought leadership." Being intentionally unignorable might just be the secret sauce to standing out in a sea of sameness. It's about embracing the risk, not shying away from it.

The dialogue with Levitan is a refreshing reminder of what advertising can and should be. It's about the courage to be different, the audacity to laugh, and the boldness to pave your unique path.

10 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Dare to Be Rare: Embrace the risk that fuels creativity. Don't be a wallflower in a world hungry for art.
2. Dress to Impress Yourself: Your appearance is your signature. Make it as bold and unique as your ideas.
3. Laughter's Creative Fuel: Ignite your campaigns with humor; let's unseal the laughter trapped in boardrooms.
4. Apple's Echo: "Think Different" isn't just a slogan; it's a creed for innovation. Channel your inner Jobs.
5. Analytics vs. Magic: Balance, not battle. Use data but don't lose the sorcery that makes advertising enchanting.
6. Admire the Unseen Masterpieces: The unseen ads, buried in fear, could be the best ones. Dig them up.
7. Unignorable Brilliance: Unignorable thought leadership might be your golden ticket. Be brave enough to be unendurable.
8. Art's Dance with Science: Marry creativity with analytics. They're not foes; they're partners in innovation.
9. Money Talks, Quality Walks: Don't let tight budgets suffocate innovation. Find the quality within constraints.
10. Visibility's Mirage: Just because it's seen doesn't mean it's impactful. Create substance, not just shadow.

VERBATIM QUOTES:

1. "When you try and be all things to all people, you end up being nothing to nobody."
2. "The old days of advertising... people actually felt that they were in a creative business."
3. "Think different... those are two words that should speak to everybody today that wants to create something different and better."

The world of advertising is filled with opportunities if we dare to be different, embrace risk, laugh a little, and truly think differently. It's a journey worth taking, filled with rewards if we dare to traverse the unbeaten path.

Join me for more riveting discussions on Joseph Jaffe is not Famous and let's continue to think differently, laugh heartily, and create unapologetically!