Monday, August 3, 2009

Trust Me


Trust Me. I know it's the name of a TV series based on life at a high-pressure ad agency. I enjoy the show... in a later-at-night TiVo kind of way. It's well-written, high energy and often way to close to home. (As opposed to Mad Men which looks exactly like our agency in my grandfather's day yet reeks of soap opera.)

Inherent in the name of this TNT series is that we advertising people are not to be trusted. But every day I question the veracity of our clients and suppliers. Why? Because they too often start a statement with, "to be honest with you" or "believe me when I say" or "trust me on this" or simply "truthfully." Ding, ding, ding. My b-s detector goes off when I hear those phrases. So if you want me to trust you, say what you mean and allow me to decide if it rings true.

Trust me on this.