vox pop

Which defunct brand do you most miss, and why? I seriously miss Woollies… and suspect many do but are too... Read More

A semi-regular vox-pop feature in which 26 members voice their opinions on the ‘hot’ topics of the day… This month:... Read More

Business language is a rich breeding ground for new buzzwords and phrases. What’s the best or worst you’ve come across... Read More

Is the standard of business writing higher today than it was five years ago? Nick Asbury I think there’s undoubtedly... Read More

Can you work with background music? And if so, what’s your pleasure? Nick Asbury I can’t, much as I’d like... Read More

Should foreign language entries be accepted in D&AD Writing For Design? Tim Rich No tengo ni idea como los altavoces... Read More

Does social media pose a threat to copywriters’ livelihoods? Roger Horberry By definition no. Bloggers don’t write brochures and so... Read More

Emoticons: a useful addition to the written language, or a threat to writing as we know it? :-0 Mike Reed... Read More

What typeface do you prefer to write in and why? Jim Davies, totalcontent Helvetica 45 Light. Knowing the designers I... Read More

Are brands (and brand writing) responsible for over-consumption? If so, what should be done about it? James Hogwood Unquestionably there... Read More

The colour of 2010, according to Pantone, is 15-5519 Turquoise. But what would be your word of the year? Martin... Read More

More companies, including McDonald’s, are being moved to verse to advertise their products. Is this a welcome development? Stuart Delves... Read More

Every year, copywriters go all cheesy at Christmas. Please share some of your stinkiest seasonal lines with us. Mike Reed,... Read More

Is it a good thing for copywriters to have their own distinctive writing style? Jim Davies We’re supposed to be... Read More

Do we still need ‘correct’ spelling? Martin Lee It’s preferable, but we probably need mutual tolerance of shortcomings more. John... Read More

What’s the strangest place you’ve ever ‘done it’? (Business writing, that is.) Rishi Dastidar The National Maritime Museum, writing slogans... Read More

How do you go about unblocking writer’s block? Fiona Thompson The best way to cure writer’s block is to have... Read More

Is it possible to write brilliant copy for a brand you hate? Roger Horberry No. I don’t care how professional... Read More

There were no digital entries in the 2009 D&AD Awards Writing for Design category. How do you account for this,... Read More

Copy by committee – is there any place for teamwork in writing? Matthew McCracken You can tell when something’s been... Read More

Whose line is it anyway? When does ‘borrowing’ become plagiarism? Roger Horberry, Alp Associates “It’s not where you take things... Read More

From a professional wordsmithing point of view, what would be your dream project? Tim Rich Last year I finished leading... Read More

‘In these straitened economic times, what will you be cutting back on?’ Tom Lynham Crates of Bollinger, the Roller will... Read More

‘What’s the perfect stocking filler for the business writer about town?’ Roger Horberry, Alp Associates Sorry to be so obvious,... Read More

Which sporting manager would do best in the business world – and why? John Simmons Obviously, I’d say Arsene Wenger.... Read More

Most 26 members are in the business of using language as a persuasive tool. What lessons (if any) can we... Read More

What’s the most essential reference work on the commercial writer’s bookshelf? Mike Reed, Reed Words Mine are largely the obvious... Read More

Gadgets and gizmos: which pieces of technology most benefit your life as a writer? Fiona Thompson I love my Griffin... Read More

How useful is an English degree for a career in business writing? John Simmons I’ve got an English degree and... Read More

What advice would you give to a young graduate starting out in copywriting? Fiona Thompson I’d start by making friends... Read More

Could you forgive a great campaign idea if it was badly written? Roger Horberry, Alp Associates No. In fact I... Read More

Even if they were paying top dollar, who wouldn’t you work for? Heather Atchison Even if they were paying me... Read More

Writing awards: are there enough of them and do they mean anything anyway? Martin Lee, Acacia Avenue There’s definitely a... Read More

Hampstead or Harrogate? Leeds or Land’s End? Bristol or Belfast? Where’s the best place for a writer to ply their... Read More

Abused and over-used. In the context of business writing, what words or phrases really annoy you? Simon Caulkin, The Observer... Read More

Punctuation. A writer’s best friend or creative straightjacket? Martin Lee, Acacia Avenue To me, punctuation marks are like extra letters... Read More

Plain English – good business practice or just plain boring? Lindsay Camp, writer and author of ‘Can I Change Your... Read More

Predicting the year ahead in Design Week, John Allert of Interbrand wrote: “Design can no longer be defined by the... Read More

The new Economist ads: inspired continuation of a legendary campaign, or a load of increasingly tired old puns? Jim Davies,... Read More

Tone of voice: valuable business commodity or meaningless buzzphrase? Chris Bird, Word Bird Ben & Jerry, those chunky monkeys, were... Read More

There have been several books published recently railing against the evils of jargon and management speak. Do you think there’s... Read More