Why people DO buy from clowns; a Keynote with Paul Feldwick
BCI Talk
Paul Feldwick worked for over thirty years at the legendary creative agency, Boase Massimi Pollitt, later part of the DDB network. His latest book, Why Does The Pedlar Sing? examines what ‘creativity’ really means in advertising. Although we’ve often been told by the gurus of advertising that ‘selling is a serious business’ and ‘people do not patronise a clown’, all the evidence of history shows this is wrong, and that brands have always achieved fame and fortune by using the devices of popular culture and entertainment.
So, why are today’s agencies apparently so resistant to creating work that’s famous and popular? And what should we do about it? Join us for this lunchtime Keynote on Wednesday 28th April to find out.
In 1974 Paul joined Boase Massimi Pollitt, a rising London advertising agency already famous for several popular campaigns including the Smash Martians and the Cresta Bear. He stayed there for over thirty years, mainly as an account planner. By 1988 he was heading up the planning department and he later became Worldwide Brand Planning Director for DDB (who’d acquired BMP in 1989). Since leaving the agency world in 2005, Paul has worked as a consultant in the fields of strategy, brands, and organisational change, but retains a strong fascination for advertising itself. He has Masters degrees from the University of Bath School of Management (Responsibility & Business Management) and Ashridge Business School (Organisational Consulting).
Bristol Creative Industries is the membership network that supports the region's creative sector to learn, grow and connect, driven by the common belief that we can achieve more collectively than alone.
From accidental manager to confident leader: a workshop with Fi Craig
9.30am
-1pm
adm-Indicia, 40 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4QP
BCI Workshop
Accidental managers are usually first-time people managers who’ve been thrown in at the deep end – still doing their old job while figuring out how to manage people through trial and error.
If someone on your team has just stepped into management, they’re probably juggling people and projects, wearing two hats, and figuring it out as they go. That’s exactly why this Accidental Managers half-day workshop exists.
Join Fi Craig to feel confident leading people, define your own version of good management, and gain practical frameworks to guide you as you figure the rest out. Gain confidence and simple tools to start leading a team effectively straight away.
EntreConf 2026 – Day 1
9:00
-17:00
Watershed, Canon's Road, Bristol, UK
Conference
EntreConf is back for two days across June 17-18 2026 at The Watershed with a whole host of fresh inspiration and for entrepreneurs, scale-ups and established businesses alike.
Bristol Creative Industries Members’ Lunch
12.30pm
-2.30pm
The Square Club, 15 Berkeley Square, Bristol, BS8 1HB
BCI Networking
The BCI members’ lunch is an opportunity for a small group of members to connect and exchange information about their businesses. The BCI team chair and host the session which is open to all current members.
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