I'M JUST MESSING WITH YOU, ART DIRECTORS! You know I've got nothing but love for the people who make things pretty. Seriously, if you're not offering any feedback on your partner's copy, I believe you're only doing part of your job. Copywriters, if you're not receptive to the art director's input, you may be missing out on some valuable insight. The only time I draw the line is when the  account teams want to get into the mix and make suggestions. Again, I'm kidding (no, I'm not).

Now if you haven't offered your services in the past, this is something you want to ease into. Don't just start marking up copy. Point out a few places where the message may not be clear. When it comes to long form copy (web pages, direct marketing) I welcome the art director to give it the once-over. Read it from the perspective of the consumer. You may catch something the writer may have missed. I've even taken some headlines from the AD, because we have a trust-thing going on. Just don't get punny. And if you do, you better come with the pun of all puns or I have the right to revoke all writing privileges.

If you have any supervisory aspirations, you have to be able to direct both sides of the creative team. Even if you don't want to be in charge, bottom line, there is really no growth for either of you, if you just play on your side of the creative table. I never understood how people function under the attitude of "you do your part and I'll do mine."

So kids, play nicely together and share your toys. You'll grow up to be better creatives.




On another note...

I want to thank those who voted for me for the MyDomain Brand.Me Contest. No, I didn't win. Photographer Paige Butcher took home the big prize in my category — a $1,000 Apple Gift Card. I sent her a note of congratulations. So I guess I'll have to get an iPad the hard way and buy one (big sigh). As a finalist, I won a free domain listing and hosting services for a year. I have an idea of what I want to do with it and it is advertising related, so I'll keep you posted.

Agency pic courtesy of stock.xchng.
Kid pic also courtesy of stock.xchng. Photographer: Anissa Thompson.