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Marketing Twitter Great Britain

Vox Pop: Very British Problems by the marketers

By Naomi Taylor, Client Services Manager

RBH (Rees Bradley Hepburn)

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The Drum Network article

This content is produced by The Drum Network, a paid-for membership club for CEOs and their agencies who want to share their expertise and grow their business.

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July 17, 2015 | 5 min read

Very British Problems, the popular twitter account promoting the awkwardness of British culture, will be transformed into a television series on Channel 4 with the likes of James Corden, Jonathon Ross and Ruth Jones at the helm. Surely as marketers, designers and creatives in the media industry, our Drum Network members have some seriously very British problems?

Fizz Bingham, Digital Group Account Director, RBH

- Dying of embarrassment when accidentally signing off a client email with a kiss.

Simon Bollon, Managing Director, Boutique Media

- Competitor websites with dogs in the ‘employee’ section as the ‘office dogs body’ or ‘head of fun’. It’s not funny, its unprofessional and means whoever thought of the idea is a wanker!

Gavin Sherratt, Managing Director, Studio Mashbo

- Design Changes post sign off

"I said I liked this and signed it off, but meant something else can you change it for free?" "No!"

- Small pockets, big ideas, no scope

"I saw this things that Brand X has got on their website, could you copy it for a couple of hundred quid?" "No!"

- The classic

"If you do me this job for cheap I'll pay you more for the next commission! And I'll tell everybody how good you are!!" "Let me think about that?"

Sean Singleton, Managing Director, Digital Annexe

- A classic British problem in the creative services world is not talking about the b word – budget!

Ian Finch, Managing Director, Mando Group

-To person who's just sold their business for millions: "So how are things?" Response: "oh, you know, can't complain"

- Concept presentation: "I do like it, but" meaning "I absolutely hate it and can't believe I hired you"

- "Yes, results have been promising" meaning "we've smashed every target we set but don't believe good things happen"

-"There's been a slight change of plan" (the projects dead, the budgets disappeared, I'm leaving and you'll never get paid)

- "So what did you this weekend?"

"Oh, nothing much" (this can mean: lying in bed, watching TV, getting married or skydiving with sharks)

Steve Swann, Creative Director, Mando Group

- Going for a drink on a school night always ends up with a hangover

- "Let's give ourselves plenty of time for the pitch" answer is always a 3.30am leaving work before a 6.30am train down to London

- Clients wanting work yesterday

Tom Webster, Account Manager, The Future Factory

- Forget queue etiquette, crappy weather or exceptional pessimism; in the new business game, asking questions about budgets, business challenges, current agency relationships, etc. are necessary to get the most out of chemistry meetings, but those upfront and frank questions/conversation don't always sit comfortably with the British.

Those who can find the courage to ask these questions in a non-confrontational manner will always fare better in developing fruitful new business opportunities and being sure they’re in the right place at the right time.

Martin Jordan, Innovation Director, Equator

- I’ll get back to you on that; it will never happen and they will not get back to you.

Tom Chapman, Content Outreach Specialist, Vertical Leap

- Whenever I send an outreach email, I apologise for getting in touch. If they don’t respond, I apologise for sending them a reminder email.

Ross Seabury, Copywriter, RBH

- "The client had a few amends…" - Translation: This work hasn't been anywhere near the client and it won't until you've made these 56 major changes.

- Never quite feeling comfortable with ending your copy with an exclamation mark.

Marc Bubb, Creative Designer, Kolab

- Maybe one of them might be ok - Translation “they’re all bloody brilliant”

- When someone brings treats into the studio and leaves them on the table yet everyone is too polite to be the first to go up and be the first to tuck in, so the treats sit there for most of the day with no one eating them.

Dominic Love, Creative Director, Strawberry

- "We’ll try it and see what it looks like" = we’ll ignore you said that for a day and convince you our idea was still better.

Marketing Twitter Great Britain

Content by The Drum Network member:

RBH (Rees Bradley Hepburn)

BORN IN A BARN. BRED TO DARE.

Hello. We’re RBH. We come up with killer, media-neutral ideas. Ideas that increase sales, win awards and make a real difference....

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boutique media

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Mashbo

We are a software development consultancy.

We use automation to create digital solutions that transform organisations. Our software streamlines and automates...

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Digital Annexe

We are a Full Service Digital Marketing Agency, combining analytics & insights to create results-driven creative solutions. We believe in ‘Impact. Made simple.’

In...

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Mando

We are a digital agency that simplifies complexity, builds momentum and creates business change. We make beautifully productive digital experiences for some of the...

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The Future Factory

With a mix of lead generation, board level consultancy and coaching, we help to make the future more predictable for agency Owners, Founder and Directors. www.thefuturefactory.co.uk

Since...

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Equator

Equator is the ideas company for a connected world.

We believe in the power of innovative ideas, meaningful connections and big numbers to truly transform...

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Kolab Digital

We're a creative digital agency and we collaborate with exceptional organisations to drive change for the better.

We drive operational efficiencies and develop...

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Strawberry

Strawberry was established in 1993 and is a full-services creative digital agency with a team of 37 highly talented staff.

Our client base reaches far and...

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Vertical Leap

We are an evidence-led search marketing agency that helps brands get found online, drive qualified traffic to their websites and increase conversions/sales.

To...

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