Monsieur CopycatHarry Topalian - Copy, Content, and Creative

Bienvenue, and a fine day to you all. I enjoy pondering and espousing on all matter of affairs in advertising, things-geek, marketing, music, philosophy, food, shopping, tech, travel, and design. Frequent contemplations of the nature of the multiverse also occur. Beware! The term ‘snackable content’ does give me fur balls.

Jun 27 2019

Should We Show The Love to V-Dub?

27/06/2019 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Harry Topalian | In: General

An Enthusiast’s Take on Dieselgate and The Future of Volkswagen As the owner of 2.5 classic Volkswagens (1: VW-Porsche 914, 2.0, 1974 2: VW Scirocco, 1.6,1980 3. VW Scirocco, 16V, 1987) I’ve got an obvious bias and will do my best to remain objective. Volkswagen’s brand was part of my American Dream—self-expression, style, and practical adventures for the masses. As I discussed in Enterprise Tech Personas Are Human Too, the revolutionary ads started in 1959 by Doyle Dane Bernbach expressed a refreshing candor, the virtues of…

May 29 2019

Gays and UFOs in the Military

29/05/2019 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Harry Topalian | In: General

The U.S. Department of Defense Directive “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” supposedly protected closeted queers, provided they stayed closeted. It ran from 1994 to 2011, but was well in place unofficially for time immemorial. Except for the part about protecting the closeted people, no one was safe if they were suspected of being light in the combat boots.“But despite what we’ve been through, nothing was worse than having served during the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ years.” Vinny Franchino, Washington Blade In any case, the celebratory union seen…

Jan 24 2017

Enterprise Tech Personas Are Human Too

24/01/2017 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Harry Topalian | In: General

“That looks or sounds very consumer or small business.” — a dreaded phrase to Creative ears. This fearful voice often rings in alarm when copy is conceptual or attempting to relate to the reader in a more personal way. Art Direction suffers similar aspersions when work is too “designy” and metaphorical. An overly cautious approach is not new to the enterprise tech market. Agency folk have a long history of dancing with clients back and forth on the virtues of how to connect with people in…