Newsflash! Agencies Use Other Agencies' Work In Portfolio
Certainly this practice is not a new one but one Minneapolis Adrants reader took note of the new agency Pocket Hercules' use of its founders work done while they were at Carmichael Lynch and wrote, "You didn't hear it from me. (Minneapolis is a small town) You should look at the site of the agency started by super star creatives from Carmichael Lynch. pockethercules.com Their marketing strategy is " little agency vs. big holding company agency." But then look at the work they have on the site. It's all Carmichael Lynch work. (GREAT CL work) Now, I'm no lawyer, but isn't it illegal to use another shop's work even if you worked there? Anyway, I thought it was ironic."
We don't think it's illegal and we're sure someone will tell us if it is but what agency on the planet hasn't done this before?
Comments
Toy is guilty of this.
There was a whole Ernie Schenck post on it.:
http://eschenck.typepad.com/ernie_schenck_calls_this_/2006/01/someone_stealin.html#comments
^^^^^ No one is 'guilty' of this. It's called a portfolio. Idiot.
Is it illegal? Technically yes. A client owns the work an agency does on its behalf. Also likely violates talent holding fees. Most agencies get away with posting their work on the site because its publicity for both the client and themselves. They'd take work down if the client asked. Now, it would be fun if AG Edwards (one of the CL clients with work on the Pocket site) sent a cease and desist to Pocket Hercules. That would be fair for misrepresenting agency vs. personal experience.
Using work you did at one agency to promote another? Very un-ethical.
it's blurry. in one hand, screw the big shop if they let their talent get away. if the client says take it down, then take it down...but if the "big ex agency" is pissed, then they're probably pissed because they're about to lose a client.
the fact is if your agency is pitching an automotive client and your office cleaning woman previously dusted cars at a dealership, you claim you have automotive experience...it's just the nature of the biz.
As long as it is made VERY clear that the work was done in a "past life", I see no harm in it. Other creatives from Crispin did it too at http://www.stickandmove.com
The bottom line is that they aren't passing off Carmichael's work as Hercules'work. They are only trying to get their business off the ground and using the work they did for Carmichael as a reference. Isn't this known simply as a portfolio? Isn't this how every organization courts future business?..."Hey, this is what we've created in the past and so therefore we can do this for you."
I'm not sure I understand the ruckus...
The bottom line is that they aren't passing off Carmichael's work as Hercules'work. They are only trying to get their business off the ground and using the work they did for Carmichael as a reference. Isn't this known simply as a portfolio? Isn't this how every organization courts future business?..."Hey, this is what we've created in the past and so therefore we can do this for you."
I'm not sure I understand the ruckus...
the funny thing is, some of that "stick and move" work wasn't even done by that creative. not to mention it's been up there for over a year.