How Smoke & Mirrors Inspire Us At PR Deadlines
In this opinion piece, David Frost (pictured below), CEO of PR Deadlines, tells the story of how the agency almost changed its name, only to use it for something else in the office.
Meet ‘Smoke’ and ‘Mirrors’, PR Deadlines’ office assistants. Time was when we hatched a cunning plan to change the agency’s name to Smoke + Mirrors.
The idea was audacious, it was fun, it would grab the attention of prospective clients in the infotech and financial services industries – or so we thought. It would do search engine optimisation no harm either.
But then we pictured the likely response from the corporate IT and financial services execs we target. Marketing might like Smoke + Mirrors, but when our pitch went up to C-level there might be awkward questions. What’s that name again? What do they do?
We figured that too few prospects would respond to our wayward sense of humour.
So, we simply named our office cats Smoke and Mirrors. Since Smoke was already Smoke, she didn’t object, but Zoe-Mushroom liked her posh double-barrelled name. She had to be bribed with sardines and chicken.
Smoke and Mirrors
Do such ‘incentives’ have a PR parallel, we wonder? Well, media people and clients do enjoy putting on the nosebag at a classy restaurant providing we don’t assault their ears too vigorously, but we prefer to use the term ‘encouraged’ rather than ‘bribed’.
Out of interest we checked ‘smoke and mirrors’ on the internet. The name is not exactly original: bars, music albums, boutiques, sigh… yet we would likely have been the first S+M in a profession often accused of being in the smoke and mirrors business.
Google tells us: “Smoke and mirrors is a metaphor for a deceptive, fraudulent or insubstantial explanation or description. The source of the name is based on magicians’ illusions, where they make objects appear or disappear by extending or retracting mirrors amid a distracting burst of smoke. The expression may have a connotation of virtuosity or cleverness in carrying out such a deception.”
Virtuosity or cleverness… now that sounds more like us! Smoke and Mirrors would approve.
Please login with linkedin to comment
David Frost PR Deadlines smoke Smoke + Mirrors smoke and mirrorsLatest News
Bankwest Unveils New Work Via Its Bespoke WPP Agency Union
Union, WPP AUNZ’s bespoke national group model created to service Bankwest, has launched a new national brand campaign for the visual-style terms and conditions the financial institution developed with the University of WA in a bid to make T&Cs more engaging for customers. Bankwest has rolled out visual terms and conditions for its Bankwest Easy […]
South Australia’s Foodland Rated Aussies’ Favourite Supermarket
You'll learn two things from this. One: B&T employs a parochial South Australian. Two: we're not sure of the other one.
InMoment Named A Leader In Customer Feedback Management
InMoment, the global leader in Experience Improvement (XI), announced it has been named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Customer Feedback Management Platforms, Q2 2021 evaluation.
Pepsi Releases Sticky, Spitty New Ad ‘The Mess We Miss’ Featuring Classic Broadway Tune
Apparently Pepsi regularly beats Coke in taste tests. Although it's considered a draw if you add a good slug of bourbon.
Hungry Jack’s & KFC!? Most Popular ‘Restaurants’ For NSW Dine And Discover Vouchers Revealed
Data reveals where NSW spent its $100 vouchers & it appears if the RONA don't get ya then the diabetes probably will.
Harris Coffee Builds On ‘Made For Australia’ Platform Via Edge
Harris Coffee builds on its 'Made for Australia' platform. Odd, given it originated in South America.
Women Leading Tech: PubMatic’s Tina Tsang On Shifting Self-Perception And Building Confidence
It's time to meet the tenacious, tantalising, terrific Tina Tsang. And it's time to revel in B&T's awesome alliteration.
Disney+ Hits 103 Million Subscribers, Fewer Than Predicted
Disney+ may not have hit its subscriber numbers, however it continues to make George Lucas filthy rich.
We’re Back, Baby: Entries Now Open For The 2021 B&T Awards!
Want to sneakily overcharge on a client's invoice? Well, win yourself a B&T Award and add that extra 0 with impunity.
Titanic Gets Spoofed In Witty Work For A Scandinavian Ferry Service
B&T will tolerate the razzing of the Titanic film per se, however, Céline herself remains a strict razz no-go.
Thursday TV Wrap: Albo’s Budget Reply Gets 330,000 Viewers
Albo delivers the budget reply. As Tanya sits patiently, waiting, biding her time and sharpening that big old knife.
The Customer Journey Starts With Having Good Data
This expert opines the customer journey starts with good data. Although things could turn rather funky with bad data.
The Beautiful Collision Of Advertising & Design
72andSunny's Ross Berthinussen talks design and advertising. The weather gets the briefest of mentions too.
“It Was Too Co-Ordinated”: Ellen Talks End Of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
B&T won't comment too much on Ellen's departure suffice to say she did a very memorable fish.
Appointing A Head Of Innovation Won’t Drive Agency Innovation
It would appear that the head of innovation is the latest innovation in slightly obscure, wanky job titles.
CTV Growth Sees PubMatic’s Revenue Lift 54%
It's good news today if you own PubMatic shares. However, it's even better if you own Bitcoin, Apple or Pfizer ones.
Chaka Sobhani Named Leos’ Global Chief Creative Officer
Chaka Sobhani named Leos' global chief creative officer with strict remit of doing things in a chief-like way globally.
All The Pics From Our First 2021 Changing The Ratio Breakfast!
Adland doesn't appear to function much before 11am, so it's hats off to these early birds who had to set the alarm.
The Kids’ Cancer Project Invites Australians To Donate On Pirate Day In New Campaign Via We Are Social
B&T will be celebrating 'Pirate Day' this year. With particular focus on the plundering, pillaging & the plank walking.
TikTok To Launch Web Series Supported By Screen Australia And Film Victoria
The first ever web series to be funded by both Screen Australia and Film Victoria for TikTok, will launch on May 17. Produced by Hayley Adams and Michelle Melky, and directed by Logan Mucha, Scattered is a new queer drama comprised of 38 x 1-minute daily eps. It follows three best friends, Jules, Sami and […]
Flight Of The Conchords’ Funny Man Rhys Darby Stars In New Campaign For Xero
Rhys Darby is in B&T's all-time favourite list of Kiwis that also includes Jacinda Ardern, Jake 'The Muss' & Phar Lap.
Schwartz Media To Launch Osman Faruqi’s The Culture Podcast
Schwartz Media will extend its audio offering with a new culture podcast. Building on the success of its flagship daily news podcast 7am, and it’s growing arts and culture coverage, Schwartz Media is launching new podcast The Culture at the end of the month. Award-winning journalist, editor of 7am and pop-culture obsessive Osman Faruqi will […]
How To Nurture Your Online Customers And Turn Them Into ‘Brand Evangelists’
Building a connection with existing customers is just as integral to any marketing strategy as winning new ones, but how do we turn customers into spokespeople for our brands? By Peggy de Lange, VP of international expansion at Fiverr It’s a well-known rule of thumb that it costs 5-times more to get a new customer […]
Nine Appoints Hayley Bourne To Head Of Digital Audio
Nine announces Hayley Bourne as head of digital audio. And, as you'll see here, it did it in five very short sentences.
Tooheys, 72andSunny, Vice And Gocsy Collaborate On ‘Proudly Ordinary’
In the next instalment of the ‘Proudly Ordinary’ campaign for Tooheys Extra Dry, Lion and 72andSunny continue their partnership with work from Vice and Aaron Gocs (Gocsy). Gocsy is a beloved icon of Australian outsider comedy who creates content for Vice and his own broadcast channels. As part of the highly successful ‘Proudly Ordinary’ brand […]
Slept In? Here’s All The Best Bits From This Morning’s Changing The Ratio Session
There was only ONE place to be this morning & it was Changing The Ratio. If not for the speakers, but for the muffins.
Have You Seen Trevor?
Love an opinion piece with a mystery headline? You'll love this. Even more so if you're stuffing your gob with cake.
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Partner With Procter & Gamble
B&T would SO love to see Prince Harry doing a dandruff shampoo ad or even Meghan in a catfight with her sister-in-law.
Seven To Air Craig McLachlan Documentary
Seven to air Craig McLachlan documentary. Well, as he sued Nine & 10 avoids any serious shit, it's not that surprising.
IKEA Stores Will Fly Progress Flag Ahead Of IDAHOT Day
IKEA stores set to fly the progress flag. Which we'd agree is better than the Sydney Swans or the skull & crossbones.
