How to write a creative brief

Agenda What is a creative brief? What a creative brief is not. How to write a creative brief. Some examples. Your turn.

What is a creative brief?

What a creative brief is not.

How to write a creative brief.

Some examples.

Your turn.

What is a creative brief? cre·a-tive (krea tiv), adj. 1. having the quality or power of creating. 2. resulting from originality of thought; imaginative. brief (bref), adj. 1. l asting or taking a short time. 2. using few words; concise: a brief report. 3. abrupt; curt. 4. a short and concise statement or written item.

cre·a-tive (krea tiv), adj.

1. having the quality or power of creating. 2. resulting from originality of thought; imaginative.

brief (bref), adj.

1. l asting or taking a short time. 2. using few words; concise: a brief report. 3. abrupt; curt. 4. a short and concise statement or written item.

A creative brief is not… A list of instructions. A checklist. A form to fill out. A copy and paste job. An easy document to write.

A list of instructions.

A checklist.

A form to fill out.

A copy and paste job.

An easy document to write.

How to write a creative brief Job description Target audience Objectives Single minded proposition Substantiation Key response Desired brand character Mandatory inclusions

Job description

Target audience

Objectives

Single minded proposition

Substantiation

Key response

Desired brand character

Mandatory inclusions

Job description What do you want the creative team to produce? A banner campaign? An email? A website? Tip: This is one sentence. Not a background essay!

What do you want the creative team to produce?

A banner campaign? An email? A website?

Tip: This is one sentence. Not a background essay!

Target audience Men aged 35 and over with a large household income. Michael Jackson Clint Eastwood Richard Branson The bottom line: You need to provide more than just demographics. You need to get inside the consumer’s head.

Men aged 35 and over with a large household income.

Michael Jackson

Clint Eastwood

Richard Branson

The bottom line: You need to provide more than just demographics. You need to get inside the consumer’s head.

Target audience Who are we talking to? How old are they? Are they male or female? How much money do they make? What do they read? What TV shows do they watch? What do they think? Feel? What are their likes? Dislikes? What are their dreams? Their biggest fears? What kind of house do they live in? What kind of car do they drive? What sort of job do they have? Where do they shop? Are they customers? Prospects? Do they love our product? Hate our product? Why? How does the product fit into their lives? What makes them tick?

Who are we talking to?

How old are they?

Are they male or female?

How much money do they make?

What do they read?

What TV shows do they watch?

What do they think? Feel?

What are their likes? Dislikes?

What are their dreams? Their biggest fears?

What kind of house do they live in?

What kind of car do they drive?

What sort of job do they have?

Where do they shop?

Are they customers? Prospects?

Do they love our product? Hate our product? Why?

How does the product fit into their lives?

What makes them tick?

Target audience Lovable – an example (18-30yrs): Sarah has been with her boyfriend Michael for the past 2 years, she’s strong, confident and has attitude. She enjoys going camping just as much as she enjoys their yearly trip to the Lake District where they stay in a cottage with friends. Sarah is currently working in communications, for her, work is about having fun. She still loves her ‘girls nights out’ but makes sure she still has time for her boy. She’s in to her sport and keeps fit and healthy with regular netball and running. She likes the movies, reads all the gossip mags (Take a break, Pick me up) and reads books on the best seller list. She shops at River Island, Office, Shellys for her shoes. When they get take-away ‘a good Chinese’ is her favourite and she drinks ‘vodka/tonics and/or Stella beer when they go out with friends. She’s good company and has a great sense of humour.

Lovable – an example (18-30yrs):

Sarah has been with her boyfriend Michael for the past 2 years, she’s strong, confident and has attitude. She enjoys going camping just as much as she enjoys their yearly trip to the Lake District where they stay in a cottage with friends.

Sarah is currently working in communications, for her, work is about having fun. She still loves her ‘girls nights out’ but makes sure she still has time for her boy. She’s in to her sport and keeps fit and healthy with regular netball and running. She likes the movies, reads all the gossip mags (Take a break, Pick me up) and reads books on the best seller list.

She shops at River Island, Office, Shellys for her shoes. When they get take-away ‘a good Chinese’ is her favourite and she drinks ‘vodka/tonics and/or Stella beer when they go out with friends. She’s good company and has a great sense of humour.

Target audience Kissed – an example (13-18yrs): Phoebe is young and cute, her friends describe her as a real character. She LUUURVES her music and her friends, for her it’s all about on-line chat rooms, her mobile phone, ipod and fashion. At parties she drinks pink Bacardi breezers, she thinks they look totally cool. When she goes shopping with her girlfriends its all about sports clothes. Phoebe hangs out on the weekend and usually goes to the movies, the shops or the beach. She reads Cosmo Girl, but also Cosmo sometimes. Phoebe has a few male friends in her life, but no ‘real’ boyfriend. She’s close to her mum, but could kill her little brother and sister.

Kissed – an example (13-18yrs):

Phoebe is young and cute, her friends describe her as a real character. She LUUURVES her music and her friends, for her it’s all about on-line chat rooms, her mobile phone, ipod and fashion.

At parties she drinks pink Bacardi breezers, she thinks they look totally cool. When she goes shopping with her girlfriends its all about sports clothes. Phoebe hangs out on the weekend and usually goes to the movies, the shops or the beach. She reads Cosmo Girl, but also Cosmo sometimes.

Phoebe has a few male friends in her life, but no ‘real’ boyfriend. She’s close to her mum, but could kill her little brother and sister.

Target audience Interrogate them Get the word on the street. Put up research surveys Become them Read their magazines. Watch their TV shows, movies. Listen to their music. Shop where they shop. Eat where they eat. Join a support group. Use the products they use. Get close to them Visit a call centre. Talk to sales people.

Interrogate them

Get the word on the street.

Put up research surveys

Become them

Read their magazines.

Watch their TV shows, movies.

Listen to their music.

Shop where they shop.

Eat where they eat.

Join a support group.

Use the products they use.

Get close to them

Visit a call centre.

Talk to sales people.

Objectives What is the advertising intended to achieve? Is it realistic? What do we want the target audience to do / think? Buy something? Use more? Switch brands? How are we going to do this?

What is the advertising intended to achieve?

Is it realistic?

What do we want the target audience to do / think?

Buy something? Use more? Switch brands?

How are we going to do this?

Single minded proposition sin·gle-mind·ed (snggl-mndd), adj. 1. having one overriding purpose or goal. 2. steadfast; resolute. prop·o·si·tion (prp-zshn), n. 1. a plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal. 2. a matter to be dealt with; a task. 3. an offer of a private bargain, especially a request for sexual relations.

sin·gle-mind·ed (snggl-mndd), adj.

1. having one overriding purpose or goal. 2. steadfast; resolute.

prop·o·si·tion (prp-zshn), n.

1. a plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal. 2. a matter to be dealt with; a task. 3. an offer of a private bargain, especially a request for sexual relations.

Single minded proposition The single idea that makes the ad. The first and last thing creatives look at in the brief. Give the creative team an ‘angle’ to work from. Take the first leap in imagination. Write the first ad in the campaign. The bottom line: “If the creative brief is not itself creative, if it does not suggest solutions to problems, present information in an expansive and interesting way, and interpret the information with imagination and flair, then its authors and presenters have no right to expect anything different from the creative team.”

The single idea that makes the ad.

The first and last thing creatives look at in the brief.

Give the creative team an ‘angle’ to work from.

Take the first leap in imagination.

Write the first ad in the campaign.

The bottom line: “If the creative brief is not itself creative, if it does not suggest solutions to problems, present information in an expansive and interesting way, and interpret the information with imagination and flair, then its authors and presenters have no right to expect anything different from the creative team.”

Single minded proposition What is the single most motivating and differentiating thing we can say about the brand or product to the target audience to make them act in the desired way? Single minded - ONE compelling reason

What is the single most motivating and differentiating thing we can say about the brand or product to the target audience to make them act in the desired way?

Single minded - ONE compelling reason

Single minded proposition What’s in it for the consumer? Rational and emotional benefits? Disadvantages of non-use? Product characteristics? Ways of using it? Price characteristics? Newsworthiness? Product heritage? Image characteristics? Performance compared to competitors? User characteristics? How it’s made. Surprising facts about the product, users or usage.

What’s in it for the consumer?

Rational and emotional benefits?

Disadvantages of non-use?

Product characteristics?

Ways of using it?

Price characteristics?

Newsworthiness?

Product heritage?

Image characteristics?

Performance compared to competitors?

User characteristics?

How it’s made.

Surprising facts about the product, users or usage.

Single minded proposition Rational and emotional benefits Thirst, hunger, social status, self-confidence, peace of mind, being a good mum/wife/husband, a leader not a follower. Disadvantages of non-use Missed opportunity, risk of damage. Ways of using it To share, give, treat yourself. Price characteristics Better value, money-off offer, cheaper, more expensive. Newsworthiness Surprising facts, unusual attributes, new, improved. Product heritage Old-fashioned quality, ‘what your mom used to use’, trusted name, founder’s philosophy.

Rational and emotional benefits

Thirst, hunger, social status, self-confidence, peace of mind, being a good mum/wife/husband, a leader not a follower.

Disadvantages of non-use

Missed opportunity, risk of damage.

Ways of using it

To share, give, treat yourself.

Price characteristics

Better value, money-off offer, cheaper, more expensive.

Newsworthiness

Surprising facts, unusual attributes, new, improved.

Product heritage

Old-fashioned quality, ‘what your mom used to use’, trusted name, founder’s philosophy.

Single minded proposition Image characteristics High quality, good value, friendly service, contemporary, irreverent. Compared to competitors Price, product, service. User characteristics Celebrities use it, experts use it, the #1 brand (most people use it), exclusive (only a few use it).

Image characteristics

High quality, good value, friendly service, contemporary, irreverent.

Compared to competitors

Price, product, service.

User characteristics

Celebrities use it, experts use it, the #1 brand (most people use it), exclusive (only a few use it).

So, when it’s written, how do you know if it’s an engaging proposition?

So, when it’s written, how do you know

if it’s an engaging proposition?

Single minded proposition Is it instantly clear and does it communicate exactly what you want to say? Does it contain a fact about the product you didn’t know before you started writing? Is it surprising or thought-provoking? Does it contain a strategic insight? Does it contain a benefit to the consumer? Do you believe it? If the answer is ‘no’ to any of these, it isn’t an engaging proposition.

Is it instantly clear and does it communicate exactly what you want to say?

Does it contain a fact about the product you didn’t know before you started writing? Is it surprising or thought-provoking?

Does it contain a strategic insight?

Does it contain a benefit to the consumer?

Do you believe it?

If the answer is ‘no’ to any of these, it isn’t an engaging proposition.

Single minded proposition Some examples Lanson champagne makes any occasion more special. Lanson – the champagne for people with the imagination to create their own champagne occasions. KP chocolate dips are great fun to eat. KP chocolate dips make you feel naughty when you eat them. The Independent – for people who like to make up their own minds. The Independent – not written for sheep.

Some examples

Lanson champagne makes any occasion more special.

Lanson – the champagne for people with the imagination to create their own champagne occasions.

KP chocolate dips are great fun to eat.

KP chocolate dips make you feel naughty when you eat them.

The Independent – for people who like to make up their own minds.

The Independent – not written for sheep.

And how do you know if you have a single-minded proposition?

And how do you know if you have a single-minded proposition?

Single minded proposition Count the thoughts! Does it have any ‘and’s’? Or ‘but’s’? Or brackets? If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these, it’s not single-minded.

Count the thoughts!

Does it have any ‘and’s’?

Or ‘but’s’?

Or brackets?

If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these, it’s not single-minded.

Single minded proposition Sony Camcorder – an example Product attributes Powerful zoom lens CCD imager with many thousands more pixels Single-minded proposition The powerful zoom lens allows you to spot a bee’s balls from ten paces.

Sony Camcorder – an example

Product attributes

Powerful zoom lens

CCD imager with many thousands more pixels

Single-minded proposition

The powerful zoom lens allows you to spot a bee’s balls from ten paces.

Single minded proposition Isuzu Rodeo – an example Target audience Rodeo buyers see themselves as different. They are cooler, more adventurous, fun. They want their vehicle to be a sort of a tool, to help act out and express their active lifestyle. It has to be able to be pushed, and they will push it to the limits. These are the kind of people who will want to get their vehicle covered in mud on the first day they own it. Single-minded proposition The normal restrictions don’t apply with an Isuzu Rodeo.

Isuzu Rodeo – an example

Target audience

Rodeo buyers see themselves as different. They are cooler, more adventurous, fun. They want their vehicle to be a sort of a tool, to help act out and express their active lifestyle. It has to be able to be pushed, and they will push it to the limits. These are the kind of people who will want to get their vehicle covered in mud on the first day they own it.

Single-minded proposition

The normal restrictions don’t apply with an Isuzu Rodeo.

Single minded proposition Isuzu Trooper – an example Target audience The Trooper buyers are process-oriented. They like knowing all the details before they buy; they don’t just buy. They don’t buy things for what they say, but instead for what they do. They want to know the features and functions. These are the kind of people who when asked why they bought a Trooper could list about a thousand reasons. They like to be prepared in any eventuality. They are looking for an SUV that can handle anything that might be thrown at them. Single-minded proposition Trooper is exactly the right equipment for life’s great expeditions…it’s the Swiss Army knife of SUVs.

Isuzu Trooper – an example

Target audience

The Trooper buyers are process-oriented. They like knowing all the details before they buy; they don’t just buy. They don’t buy things for what they say, but instead for what they do. They want to know the features and functions. These are the kind of people who when asked why they bought a Trooper could list about a thousand reasons. They like to be prepared in any eventuality. They are looking for an SUV that can handle anything that might be thrown at them.

Single-minded proposition

Trooper is exactly the right equipment for life’s great expeditions…it’s the Swiss Army knife of SUVs.

Substantiation The deal clincher. Why should I believe you? Supports the single minded proposition. Makes it credible. Not facts separate from the proposition! Not extra propositions! Tip: If you put ‘because’ before each proof statement it should follow on from the proposition.

The deal clincher.

Why should I believe you?

Supports the single minded proposition. Makes it credible.

Not facts separate from the proposition!

Not extra propositions!

Tip: If you put ‘because’ before each proof statement it should follow on from the proposition.

Substantiation Polaroid – an example Single-minded proposition With Polaroid, the picture is only the beginning. Substantiation People can use Polaroid in innovative and unusual ways. Polaroid is a means, not an end. Polaroid can set a chain of events in motion. Polaroids can be taken for a certain reason, to achieve a particular objective. Polaroid is a tool for communication, the pictures can be a language in and of themselves.

Polaroid – an example

Single-minded proposition

With Polaroid, the picture is only the beginning.

Substantiation

People can use Polaroid in innovative and unusual ways.

Polaroid is a means, not an end.

Polaroid can set a chain of events in motion.

Polaroids can be taken for a certain reason, to achieve a particular objective.

Polaroid is a tool for communication, the pictures can be a language in and of themselves.

Key response What do we want the prospect to do as a result of the advertising? Call a number? Visit a store? Tell a friend? What beliefs, attitudes, opinions, behaviour do we want to change? How do we want people to think and feel about our brand? Tip: Should be written in first person.

What do we want the prospect to do as a result of the advertising?

Call a number?

Visit a store?

Tell a friend?

What beliefs, attitudes, opinions, behaviour do we want to change?

How do we want people to think and feel about our brand?

Tip: Should be written in first person.

Desired brand character How would you talk to your target audience? How do we want people to feel about the brand after they’ve seen the advertising? Avoid ‘fat’ words, ie warm, aspirational, confident. Choose strong, edgy words ie righteous anger, sinful, joyous. If your brand were a person, who would they be? Patronising? Respectful? Humorous? Matter of fact? Sophisticated? Irreverent? Contemporary? Old fashioned?

How would you talk to your target audience?

How do we want people to feel about the brand after they’ve seen the advertising?

Avoid ‘fat’ words, ie warm, aspirational, confident. Choose strong, edgy words ie righteous anger, sinful, joyous.

If your brand were a person, who would they be?

Patronising? Respectful?

Humorous? Matter of fact?

Sophisticated? Irreverent?

Contemporary? Old fashioned?

Desired brand character Lovable – an example Temperament: Fun but grounded Character: Lovable Attraction: Desirable Charm: Cheeky but soft Presence: Engaging aura Individuality: Ability to connect with people Colour: Shocking pink (fuschia) Sound: ‘Shakin your arse’ – Groove Armada Texture: Satin with a touch of lace Sense: Tickled on the balls of your feet Feel: Laughing to the point of tears Smell: Vanilla pods and chilli

Lovable – an example

Temperament: Fun but grounded

Character: Lovable

Attraction: Desirable

Charm: Cheeky but soft

Presence: Engaging aura

Individuality: Ability to connect with people

Colour: Shocking pink (fuschia)

Sound: ‘Shakin your arse’ – Groove Armada

Texture: Satin with a touch of lace

Sense: Tickled on the balls of your feet

Feel: Laughing to the point of tears

Smell: Vanilla pods and chilli

Desired brand character Kissed – an example Temperament: Playful Character: She’s a tease Attraction: Blossoming Charm: Innocently appealing Presence: Vibrant Individuality: Making her own rules Colour: Apricot Sound: ‘Since you been gone’ (Kelly Clarkson) Texture: Brushed cotton with silk trimming Sense: Space rocks popping in your mouth Feel: Butterflies in your tummy/discovery Smell: Angel Perfume by Thierry Mugler

Kissed – an example

Temperament: Playful

Character: She’s a tease

Attraction: Blossoming

Charm: Innocently appealing

Presence: Vibrant

Individuality: Making her own rules

Colour: Apricot

Sound: ‘Since you been gone’ (Kelly Clarkson)

Texture: Brushed cotton with silk trimming

Sense: Space rocks popping in your mouth

Feel: Butterflies in your tummy/discovery

Smell: Angel Perfume by Thierry Mugler

Mandatory inclusions Logos Taglines Phone numbers Call to actions

Logos

Taglines

Phone numbers

Call to actions

Common errors to avoid Briefs that are full of contradictions. Briefs that are repetitive. Objective = SMP = Substantiation Briefs with unrealistic objectives or an unbelievable SMP. Briefs that are lazy. Generic; nothing unique or distinctive; could be for any brand in the sector. Briefs that are long. Often full of marketing jargon with no single idea or focus. The catch all brief with something for everyone.

Briefs that are full of contradictions.

Briefs that are repetitive.

Objective = SMP = Substantiation

Briefs with unrealistic objectives or an unbelievable SMP.

Briefs that are lazy.

Generic; nothing unique or distinctive; could be for any brand in the sector.

Briefs that are long.

Often full of marketing jargon with no single idea or focus.

The catch all brief with something for everyone.

Guiding principles Know your product or service inside out. Search for intriguing angles and insights. Make it lean and to the point. Keep it short. Keep it simple. If it’s not relevant to the consumer. It’s not relevant to the brief. Get in the consumers mindset. Ultimately the advertising must sell to consumers, not the client. Use simple plain language. No jargon. Go further than the client’s brief – challenge yourself (and them)! Don’t just accept what your client tells you. Your value to them often is thinking further than they have. Bring the brief alive. Remember your job is to inspire great creative. Involve account planning and creative in the process.

Know your product or service inside out. Search for intriguing angles and insights.

Make it lean and to the point. Keep it short. Keep it simple.

If it’s not relevant to the consumer. It’s not relevant to the brief.

Get in the consumers mindset.

Ultimately the advertising must sell to consumers, not the client.

Use simple plain language. No jargon.

Go further than the client’s brief – challenge yourself (and them)!

Don’t just accept what your client tells you. Your value to them often is thinking further than they have.

Bring the brief alive. Remember your job is to inspire great creative.

Involve account planning and creative in the process.

A final thought Remember, You are PART OF the creative process.

Remember,

You are PART OF the creative process.