CAMPAIGN DIARY:

Securing a good non-executive directorship can work wonders for

improving the image of clever advertising people as Martin Boase, Peter

Mead, Cilla Snowball and the many industry luminaries who have held such

positions will testify. What better way to deflect the old chestnut that

agency people are not very good at business than to have them offering

astute advice at board meetings?

On the subject of non-execs, McCann-Erickson’s new ads for Admiral

feature sports personalities demonstrating rather unsporting behaviour

in their business dealings. In one Terry Venables is seen accepting a

package from ’market trader’ David Seaman - a reference to ancient

accusations concerning ’creative accounting’.

Interestingly, McCann’s chairman, Ben Langdon, was appointed a

non-executive director of Admiral, earlier this year - around the time

that Admiral appointed its first ad agency, Magic Hat, part of the

McCann UK group.

Curiously, Langdon was reluctant to expand on this amazing coincidence

This article was first published on Campaign