Ep. 5: Is differentiation the opposite of “best practices?” Why is it important to appeal to travellers instead of tourists? And how do you attract top global creative talent to a small agency at one of the four corners of the earth? Storytelling and serendipity – hear how important these two things are to Noel O’Dea when he joins Frank Palmer on nabs Ad Chats.
Noel O’Dea is the Founder and Director of Strategic and Creative Planning at Target Marketing & Communications Inc. Founded in 1980, Target is Canada’s longest-running independent agency. Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Target remains fiercely independent, and stubbornly rooted in a place known for creativity, humour, and non-conformity. Perhaps best known for its campaigns for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism – the most awarded, and most successful destination branding and advertising campaign in North America – Target has helped build national and international brands for Air Canada Tango and Jazz, Nestlé and Unilever, Maple Leaf and McCain, Rogers and Bell, and Labatt and Molson. Target is one of only 20 agencies in Canada to ever win a Gold Lion in the history of the Cannes International Advertising Festival and has won Gold everywhere from Cannes and London International, to New York Festivals, Marketing, and CASSIES (including the Grand Prix).
Prior to opening Target, Noel had worked as National Brand Manager, Consumer Researcher, University Professor, and published Author. Noel spent 10 years as a tenured University Professor and co-authored for McGraw-Hill what became Canada’s bestselling university-level advertising textbook. He still prefers Levi’s over academic gowns and hasn’t worn a necktie since 1975.
Opening Music: Bensound.com
