Advertising Age March 6, 1989: LETTERS; Pg. 24

Viewpoint; thirtysomethingelse

from Rob Seitz, Rob Seitz Communications, New York

 

I lay awake all night after watching " thirtysomething's" stars face the realization that their agency was in deep trouble. I was worrying that the same could happen to my small public relations company if I wasn't always mindful of overhead and keeping my clients happy.

I'm not surprised that this episode had ad agencies buzzing the next day (AA, Feb. 6), but why did ADVERTISING AGE only interview the very successful agencies for their reactions? Gee, I feel real sorry that Jerry Della Femina once lost 2k% of his business in one day. But he obviously had the resources and reputation to recover rather nicely.

Why didn't your editors interview the real Michaels and Elliotts of the industry? These are my soulmates. They're the ones who can most relate to the daily trials and tribulations of keeping afloat a small advertising agency (or public relations agency). They're the ones who knew they could do better than the Big Boys (and Girls), took the chance, and are waiting for that big break. And so if they take a moment to have a good cry once in a while (off hours, of course) when things look bleakest, they/we are stronger for it afterwards.

I hope the writers and producers of " thirtysomething" have the heart to give Michael and Elliott another shot at the industry. And this time, fellows, keep down your overhead.


Advertising Age October 24, 1988, Pg. 8

Unwanted ads get a home

by Marcy Magiera

BODY: What's an agency to do with all the potentially award-winning, breakthrough creative work its developed when that work's been rejected by the client?

Some store it. Some trash it. But in the case of D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, the Los Angeles office is scattering it around the set of ABC-TV's " thirtysomething. "

It seems the producers of the weekly so-realistic-it's-almost-painful-to-watch show thought the Michael & Elliott Co., a small ad agency owned by two the shows characters, wasn't true enough to life. So they set out to scavenge some real props for the fictional creative boutique.

Flushed with excitement over the request, DMB&B sent out a news release touting itself as "the official consultants" of " thirtysomething. "

Well, Ed Zwick, the executive producer, says he's glad the agency is excited, but "our set decorator goes out and steals from everyone."

And the thievery is bound to continue, since this season Michael & Elliott will get competition on the show from another agency.

GRAPHIC: Photo, " Thirtysomething" will use DMB&B's rejected ads as story material, but others' too.


Article reproduced respectfully but without permission. No infringement intended in any way. Only intended for the personal enlightenment of readers.

Return to the Articles index

Return to the Bedford Falls index