This document reflects on 25 years in advertising through various anecdotes and observations. It discusses challenges in billboard campaigns, client relationships, the evolution of techniques in advertising, and the unpredictable nature of the industry. The author invites readers to explore the full stories behind these experiences.

1. It’s only advertising.
jan.dejonghe@bbdo.be @dejeanzelf

2. A behind the scenes of
25 years in advertising.

3. The nicest job in the world.

4. 1.
How to get famous women
of 50+ naked on a nationwide
billboard campaign.

5. 5

6. 6

7. 7

8. 2.
We know it wasn’t meant to,
but we want
your mood film on air.

11. 3.
It’s a pitch.
Let’s go all the way, and
present real commercials in
stead of storyboards.

14. 4.
Sorry, you didn’t win silver
at Cannes.There was a very
similar ad that did.

19. 5.
We’re sorry.
Your proposal was very similar
to your competitor, but you
didn’t win the pitch.

22. 6.
How did we do before
photoshop, CGI and 3D?

24. 7.
How to find that one talented
actor that makes your ad stand out
from the other ads with kids.

27. 8.
You shoot an ad with the most
famous weather forecaster.
Two days before airing, he dies.
What do you do?

29. 9.
These commercials were written,
approved, shot and edited.
But…they never aired. Guess why.

33. 10.
“This is really a great ad. I buy it!”
Sometimes a client
never gets the second degree.

35. 11.
Sometimes you write
an ad in one day. Sometimes it
takes more than a year.

41. This presentation
is still work in progress
and will always be.
Contact me if you want to
discover the full stories.