Here's to you when the day begins

+ An agency body wants clients to pay for pitches in the UK. The article, ""Standing up to client bullying" offers some opinions by those in the industry as to whether or not a contract for pitches would be feasible. IPA Director, Hamish Pringle started the commotion last week in the UK, calling "for an overhaul of the pitch process, urging agencies to have the guts to 'say no' to what he claims is widespread exploitation by clients". This follows on the heels of the Advertising Federation of Australia to apply a "pitching policy" to pitches (mentioned here on March 10th.) The questions remain whether this is a sign of a new trend that is going to spread to other countries, and if anything will come of it all.

+ "Tales From The Twyla Zone" by Ernie Schenck is this month's advertising article from communication arts. It discusses "ritual" in creativity. Needing a specific pencil, wearing a particular hat, etc. Good read.

+ Commercial Closet: Log Cabin Doubles Budget for Bipartisan Marriages Ad:

Doubling its modest $1 million annual budget, the Log Cabin Republicans have launched an ad campaign against the proposed anti-gay Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
It is the first advertising effort for the organization, which is raising $1 million to pay for the campaign alone. It is intended to increase both the level of conversation on gay marriage, and the group's profile.
With a black-and-white picture, and the sound of a film projector, an excerpt of Cheney appears as he says, "The fact of the matter is we live in a free society, and freedom means freedom for everybody. We don't get to choose, and shouldn't be able to choose, and say, 'You get live free, but you don't.' "
The ad never uses the words "gay" or "lesbian" as images of signs for the "Colored waiting room" flash by, along with photos of a black civil rights march, followed by photos of male and female couples. "People should be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to enter into. That matter is regulated by the states? I don't think there should necessarily be a Federal policy in this area."
The text at the end, referring to Log Cabin, simply says, "We agree. Don't amend the constitution."

I'm not one for reviewing political advertising, nor do I pay attention to too much of it. But, this is an issue I think is very important. I hope this campaign is effective in proving to those who seem to think that there is any way that changing the constitution to prohibit gay marriages isn't a big deal. Freedom for all. Separation of State and Church. Separate but equal.
I can't see how any rational person could justify eliminating someone's freedom. I'm seriously considering offering my advertising services to any of these groups fighting for gay rights. I'm feeling the need to do something. To be active in supporting our freedoms that seem to be slipping away.
All those poor gay Republicans who were dupped into voting for Bush in 2000. Now that they see his true agenda, let's hope they retaliate in an effective way in 2004.