Perceptgulf’s vacancy ad for copywriter, art director and account manager November 16, 2006
Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising, Advertising in Dubai, Art Director Job, Client servicing job, Copywriter job, Copywriting, Copywriting vacancy, Jobs in advertising, Marketing , trackbackThere was recently a flood of recruitment ads by advertising agencies in Dubai looking for copywriters and art directors. Perceptgulf’s ad made me smile a wicked smile.
I talked to Prashant Sankhe, the Creative Director at Percept Gulf who made this ad happen.
“I think nobody has portrayed the pencil like this before,” he said.
As you can see, this ad shows a pencil labelled with ad vacancies on its various parts. The lead tip invites English copywriters and proofreaders to apply, the sharpened end calls art directors and graphic designers, the middle part is labelled for production coordinators, and the punchline…
The eraser is labelled ‘client servicing’ - Arab and European - for account manager and account executive posts. Clever!
And he’s been asked more than once: “Why did you put the eraser like that?”
“That’s the interesting point,” is Prashant’s answer. You bet!
Perceptgulf is affiliated to Hakuhodo which is among the top ten advertising groups worldwide. You can mail your CVs to prashants@perceptgulffz.com for creative positions and to cheriank@perceptgulffz.com for client servicing positions - you erasers (sorry, couldn’t resist that.)
If you are a creative reading this - tell me why this ad makes you smile. And if you are a ’suit’ reading this - tell me why you don’t love me anymore (wicked me). The comments are open.
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Advertising, Marketing, Copywriting, Art Direction, Client Servicing, Copywriter, Creative Director, Jobs in Dubai, Advertising Jobs in Dubai, Copywriter Job, Art Director Job, Percept Gulf

Comments»
My take:
A sarcastic view from a disillusioned creative working in a ‘client servicing driven’ agency would be - “Creatives create while the suits undo (erase) all the creative work!” ;-)!
In a creative driven agency, probably the suits would say “Creatives scribble drivel, we clean up (erase) their mess!”
Ultimately, suits and creatives have to learn to work together in balance and harmony…the only way to go - a kind of arranged marriage!
Well written post Farrukh!
“PENCIL” again…. dont you think it’s boring!!! I”ve seen Pencil transformed in to many objects in advertising many times. Proportion…. believe me an art director can’t hold that short pencil anymore:) its going to end soon.
briefartcopyspraymountsmile…..off suits.
Hey UAE Creatives - you have interpreted it both ways, nice! I wonder how a suit would taste with ketchup and sauce… LOL.
Hi Mahi,
Good to see you again, my friend.
Pencils aren’t boring, they’re tasty. I chew them all the time. Can’t wait to sink my teeth in a Gold Pencil - ah, the dreams that never end!
Note to myself: I should stop replying to comments of my precious readers on an empty tummy.
Looking for Art Director job in your organisation, or any other locations in Dubai.
Hi Subirdas - I don’t have an organisation yet - just a blog. I hope you find what you are looking for - links to recruitment agencies are given elsewhere on this blog.
farrukh
Hi! Farrukh,
Did my mails scare you into doing the vanishing act, was looking forward to your replies or rejoinders as teh case maybe.
Oh! Belated Eid wishes and also wishes for a wonderful year ahead hope you manage that Gold Pencil.
HELLO…HAPPY NEW YEAR…
Its very creative adv. I am a creative person myself always into Advertising. I like to know different people with different perspectives…you tend to learn different thought processes…and can sometime help you make your own creation with different angle.
preeti - k2pstudioz@yahoo.com
Hi Priyanka,
Good to see you on my blog. Have replied to your mails. You aren’t the kind of a girl that would scare me
Thank you very much for the Eid wishes, New Year Wishes and the Gold Pencil wish. You are the kind of a girl that deserves a big, warm ‘jhappi’ Munna Bhai style for being so sweet.
I hope that your dreams come true… and soon.
farrukh
Hi Preeti and Happy New Year to you too,
Yes, working with others does add a different perspective.
More people = more ideas
Do keep visiting and commenting.
farrukh
Hi,
if there are marketing vacancies, just let me know..
Regards,
Hello Arab Lady,
Lots of ad vacancies being advertised these days. Offline as well as online.
farrukh
Good concept. I think I’m not late for my campaign
If you’re not late, you probably don’t drive in our city, Georgekutty
farrukh
Hi Farrukh,
Fantastic and creative blog.Planning to relocate to Dubai.Will appriciate it if u can share a few tips for an art director.Thanks .Cheers!
Sunil.
Hi Sunil and welcome,
The tips for art directors to get a job here are pretty much the same as those for copywriters. You can look up these with relevant links in one of my earlier posts.
farrukh
Hello Mr Farruk
Can you suggest few agencies ” who might be wanting to create succcess using my creativity and talent…” .if you know of anybody in search of the mentioned I would be pleased and most happiest as well.
cheers
Hi Ignatius,
It’s simple actually. Look at the ads you love most. Find out the agency that’s doing them. Apply.
farrukh
Hey Farrukkh,
You’re doing pretty cool mate with your loads of free reeling ‘ad’vice and accurate guidance. It’s pretty focussed but more importantly its quite heart warming. Wish you the very best. I’m Gerard from Chennai, presently married and settled in Sri Lanka… from the same copywriting tribe as you are… with Ogilvy Active and actively seeking seeking to learn more. I did have a small stint in Bahrain, so never know may head where the world is heading sooner or later… Dubai.
tk care
Gerry
Welcome Gerry,
I like the way you have used the word ‘tribe’. Dubai is attracting a lot of talent. If you do fly in, I’d be happy to have some Ceylon tea with a friend from Sri Lanka
farrukh
Hey Farrukh,
Just saw your post… yes, would definitely love to accept this invitation and have ‘Ceylon’ tea with you once I make it there.
cheers
Gerry
Hi Farrukh,
Am looking for a job as an Art Director in Dubai or whereabout, do you have any information about that?
Forget to mention, I am an Indonesian man..
Hey there Ato, man from Indonesia… welcome!
Look up my post on how to get a copywriting job in Dubai, on this blog. That would help I think.
Wishing you da best…
farrukh
Hi Farrukh,
How is work? I am an Art Director with an Agency in Nigeria, West Africa. I’ve read a lot about you on the web. Please send me your e-mail address. I need to mail you.
Thanks
Nice work, eraser dictates the account management and client servicing as they sometime spare the creative people as they lead the front and all the interaction is between client and account management team.
Hi and welcome Xeeshan,
The eraser is what caught my eye too
farrukh
Hi Farrukh. Am an AD in a small agency in KL, Malaysia. Never ventured into other advertising blogs from people the world over..must indulge in this new found hobby soon. Thanks for having this cool space..its a nice read and a share of thoughts. Oh and happy belated Eid.
Hi vvn - been so busy, couldn’t reply earlier. Sorry about that.
Thank you for spending time on my blog. Let me know when you start blogging. Would love to read what the ad life in Malaysia looks like
farrukh
For you so called “WICKED SMILE”,
I would have found “Pencil AdWork” more easier,faster,funny and amazing if there was a “creative act (Law)- for such Creators” , which would sound simillar what is in my first line of comment.
In the first place , it was not an easy thing to digest!
Though it’s good work by Mr. Prashant Sankhe.
Welcome Preeti - you want a law for creatives? The rule usually is that there are no rules. And no cliches like the one I just wrote
Hollla!!!
lookin to relocate to Bahrain.. any tips on goin about gettin a copywriters post there?
Karen!
Welcome Karen,
Same stuff applies. Floor the CD with your book. Be persistent. And beg, borrow or steal an award for those type of CDs who wouldn’t even meet a potential cub otherwise (I don’t like them much).
farrukh
many thanxs !! i love your comments very insightful. well am a radio DJ stationed in kenya , would like to expand my horizons to the UAE, and most preferably work in a english radio station. Am talented , creative and a voice to match. Help me out on this one.
Cheers !!!
thank you very much for sharing this! I don’t know if you can share with me this print ad in bigger size / HQ? because I wanna share with my friends, who are also working in ad. field and I love this so much
thanks!
A.
I love this.
Hey Jeff - thanks for writing in. I hope you’ve found what you;re looking for.
farrukh
Hi Amanda,
Email me - I think I might have a hi-res version.
farrukh
Deola - good to know you like it
farrukh