Slamvertising
1 05 2010Tonight, sort of spontaneously but at the mention from my friend Andrew, I attended the Capital Slam Poetry semi-finals. I haven’t been immersed in an artistic culture in as long as I can remember…business is more about thinking logically and through academia. I didn’t really know what to expect going to this competition, but it sounded like fun so my friend Steph and I went.
I ended up being a judge, as the Slammaster pawned off whiteboards to who was willing…naturally, I was willing. Confessed I had never been to one of these before, but apparently that’s a non-issue. Phew. We saw 26 poems performed by 14 poets (only 12 were competitors). I have never had so many goosebumps in my life.
Being in business I have been taught to say exactly what I’m trying to say without using ‘fluffy’ words or for lack of a better phrase, ‘beating around the bush.’ Then, through all the crafty words and unmistakable imagery, it hit me: this needs to apply to advertising. My favourite ads are the ones that give me goosebumps…clearly this is an overlap from crafty poetry into the world of marketing and advertising. I can’t wait to go to my next slam poetry event because, for an artsy event, I have never been so inspired to do advertising…with the type of imagery and empathetic thought that these poems were slammed with.
So thank you, Capital Slam, for reminding me what creativity is.
I am chuckling ot myself at what the reaction would be from some of the poets if I told them that their poems inspired advertising.
Awesome.
Haha but it’s true! It hit me after a few poems…I was feeling the same goosebumps I get when an ad really speaks to me…when it makes me really feel something profound. I realized to get the same reaction you need to think like a true poet. And my heart melted a few times too, haha
I tell people that my skill with haiku can be traced back to my experience in journalism. It’s all about working within restrictions and choosing exactly the right words.
I think the poets should be flattered!
I hope you were able to catch ‘Art & Copy’ when it was at the Bytowne. Since it’s subject was about advertising that is more then ordinary, I think it would have spoken to you. As for poetry slams, there are lots of events (Capital Slam, Bill Brown’s 3-2-1 Slam, etc.) and I’ve always been impressed with the talent in Ottawa so do come out.
Slamvertising. I love this idea (or philosophy). Nice one!
(I did find it kinda funny that you mentioned that you try to avoid ‘fluffy’ words, but then used a cliche.)