ITIAPTWC Episode 10 – Vinny Warren
I only really need one word to introduce Mr. Warren:
Of course he’s done many other things (see below), but Wasssuuuppp could credibly claim to be the most famous ad of the last thirty years. Through the relatively new medium of ’email’ it spread around the world like wildfire, leading to the cool and the sad alike to say Wasssuuuppp several times a day. And they still do it now: I was watching the most recent series of American Dad last week and sure enough, one of the characters gave a fine ‘Waaasssuuuppp’.
Anyway, we talk about that a fair bit, but we also chat about his agency and…
How his mother’s death was like a starting gun to his career.
How a search for the American Dave Trott led him to Ed McCabe.
Why working for Ed was like being in The Devil Wears Prada.
Why driving a horse and carriage around Central Park can be a good ‘resume burner’ and a great way to see pimps, assassins and a guy with a crossbow.
How to be a non-immigrant immigrant.
How Vinny knew Wasssuuppp was going to be amazing from the very beginning.
What he had to say to convince the director to take it on.
Why the cultural appropriation of it was like having too much cake.
Why Vinny’s attempts to kill it made it more popular.
What it was like winning the Cannes Grand Prix.
How the enormous amount of cake and a ticking clock made him bored enough to start his own agency.
Why it helps to never be satisfied.
Why a new agency’s success depends entirely on how the partners work together.
How DDB Chicago’s PR dept can get you an interview on Irish radio.
Why advertising is communication, not technology.
So here’s the iTunes link, the Soundcloud link and the chat….
And the work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJL15n5P9BU
Enjoyed that Ben and Vinny. Cheers.
PS. I was that poster who mentioned the ‘starter pistol going off’ thing. It was an anecdote in Chris Evans’ autobiography, talking about the death of his father.
Ant. yes. thanks for that. apparently an inability to shut the f**k up is also a side effect of early parental bereavement.