Feeling depressed? Have a bagel (and other weak attempts at creating company culture)
Free snacks and unlimited coffee does not a happy organisation make. Having seen first hand the toxic nature of some companies' so-called culture, and the debilitating effects of shameful contracts, Amy Kean states that the industry needs to be far more accountable for the mental well-being of its employees.
Liars & lipstick pigs: why lockdown has revealed an urgent need for media revolution
From brands' attempts to 'premiumise' products to Facebook's fabrication of its origin, the truth is harder to divine than ever. Trust in the system - and especially in the media - is eroding at an alarming pace so, argues Amy Kean, now more than ever, we need to prioritise integrity over tradition.
The terrifying reality of ageing women & why the ad industry needs to reset its definitions
With this month's focus on new - and invariably young - talent, what about the older generation, those *gasp* over 35? Amy Kean uncovers the hidden - and not so hidden - biases, of advertising's approach to ageing.
Turning trash-talk into action: why we launched DICE to end manels
Feeling rightly indignant at the lack of diversity on industry panels, Amy Kean explains why the newly launched DICE could help give voice to a broader array of talent.
Amy Kean’s nine advertising predictions for 2020
From the commodification of outrage to a certain social media company finally taking over the world, and from crazy collaborations to the rise of 'wokevertising', Amy Kean list the nine things that 2020 will herald.
The love Labour lost: why is it so hard to win over the working class?
In the aftermath of last's week's UK election result Amy Kean looks at how both political parties and advertisers have a tendency to patronise - and ultimately alienate - the working class.
Don’t tell me to talk, teach them to listen; Why mental health advertising needs to move on
A traumatic, early girl band audition sets Amy Kean to thinking about the current state of mental health advertising and why getting people to talk is only one piece of the jigsaw...
Gen Z elves? Imagining a future when fashion gets even faster
Past predictions of fashion's future have missed the mark, while some present fashion outlets are aiming high - if slightly wide. Amy Kean looks at why fast fashion has had its day and how the DIY ethos is coming to the fore.
Jingles all the way: why adland’s past should be its future
In this month's column, inspired by the ear-wormery of a recent commercial, Amy Kean examines the aural effectiveness of the much maligned but highly infectious advertising jingle.
Amy Kean's four easy ways to avoid ‘brand ick’
Free plastic radios, chicken receptacles that double as hats and piles upon piles of tote bags; Amy Kean explores why brands need to more carefully consider the 'icks' factor.
Why we need to talk about talking to women
shots columnist Amy Kean examines how brands are engaging with female audiences and looks at how the words and sentiments being used to convey their messages are getting lost in translation.
Amy Kean asks; Cannes you do it sober?
shots' columnist sups on sobering statistics as she investigates our industry’s hot new trend: the booze-free bandwagon. As the young turn away from hedonism, is our top festival’s inebriation imperative just a hangover from the past?
