Creativity Outside of Pharma Marketing

Have you -- like me -- been spending way too much time at your job? Are you ignoring some of the other pleasures life has to offer?

This post is just a break from my routine to show off what I have been doing lately outside of my job -- watercolor!

I've been taking a watercolor class every Wednesday night at a local community college since the fall and I have finally created something that I feel proud of (see image). I may even frame it and hang it!

Yes, I'm a frustrated artist! Maybe many pharmaceutical marketers out there -- especially those working within creative ad agencies -- are also frustrated artists seeking to do something truly "creative."

If you've been reading this blog, you know I've often criticized the "creative" behind DTC advertising and the awards given to ads for their creativity versus their bottom line utility. It's OK to be creative in your job, but DTC ads are not pieces of art!

So, I have one piece of advice to all you creative people out there working in DTC agencies: don't put all your creative energy into your daytime jobs. Find another outlet for your creativity that has nothing to do with your work. At first, you might consider it a waste of time. But if you stick with it, you may just find that it's relaxing to take a break and may even put your day job into a different perspective!

Who knows, it may even lead to more creative DTC advertising.

Just a thought for a Friday.

P.S. Speaking of creative agencies, if you are attending Med Ad News' 19th Annual Manny Awards on Thursday, April 17, 2008 in NYC, I hope to see you there! My lovely wife and I will be attending (I'm a guest of Med Ad News, but I'm paying for my wife's attendance). I'm looking forward to the "most creative agency" award. I will try and determine if anyone in the winning agency is a closet artist (watercolor, oil, whatever)!