Staziker Jones

New Year Resolutions

It's the time of year when many of us consider our lives - our present, past and more importantly our future. In order to help with this head-scratching puzzlement we're reading Paul Arden's WHATEVER YOU THINK, THINK THE OPPOSITE. Former executive creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Arden shares such gems as 'It's better to regret what you have done than what you haven't', he tells us that 'There is no right point of view' and that 'If you want to be interesting, be interested'. All good food for thought. But, my favourite (for today, it will change tomorrow as they're all great) is the advice given to a young photographer called Richard Avendon by the then art director of Harper's Bazaar. The advice: 'Astonish Me!'.

So, Happy New Year, and here's to making 2012 astonishing.

Core stability for stopping power

Booked our favourite couriers to take a couple of boxes print along to a long standing client. Very impressed they sent a cycle courier... with a trailer. Even more impressed that he's riding fixed wheel (good core stability for stopping power!).

Brand alliance knows no age limit

My ten year old daughter has announced that she wants a Hollister hoodie. She wants one so much that she's prepared to spend £50 of her own money on one. Oh, and she would like a Blackberry for Christmas if Santa can't stretch of a iphone 4S. Where did this come from? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, we're raised to make brand decisions from day one - are you a Pepper Pig follower or a In the Night Garden follower? How influenced are we by what our friends like/ watch/ listen to? As a parent starting to consider secondary schools, the answer to this would be 'hugely'.

If we agree that at the core of brand is identity, and at the core of identity is purpose and belonging - then I really should not be surprised that my daughter wants to pay over the odds for a heavily branded piece of clothing. Her purpose is to belong. To belong, or be part of, her peer group. At least there is an honesty to this need. An honesty that is lost as we grow older and try to pretend that we are not influenced by brand and positioning. Now, where is my Gucci watch...

Space Selection Made

A selection of 20 illustrations for the Space Exhibition has been made by Benjamin Cox of The Central illustration Agency. Check out the exhibition from 1 October - 31 October at Joylons at No. 10, 10 Cathedral Road, Cardiff.

Staziker Jones is interested in talking to Freelancers of all levels to help with our burgeoning workload.

We would love to talk to creative thinkers with sharp traditional skills as well as individuals with sound experience in Digital Media with particular interests in website design, emarketing, App concept and design, moving image, digital presentations etc…

Please email in the first instance to matt@stazikerjones.co.uk