every few months or so i think about getting a tattoo. thinking about getting a tattoo is just about the only time i really consider what my values are as a human being. the rest of the time i operate without any values at all and make the necessary apologies on facebook when i have a moment. one design i’ve really gotten to like the idea of is a line drawing of an african lion. a line lion. i like values attached to the symbol of the lion: courage, integrity, strength, calm. i feel these are concepts i would be really happy to have on a piece of my skin.
but i have been thinking that maybe the lion is not conceptual enough and doesn’t adequately reflect my lighthearted yet deep-thinking nature enough. it doesn’t really embody the concept of ‘i am a creative creative’, you know? you know how people tattoo meaningful song lyrics onto their bodies? well maybe i should tattoo the payoff line of a brand that i find meaningful onto my body.
A very meaningful tattoo of a daft punk lyric. See bands and musicians are like brands these days. We all know that modern music makers have the same ultimate goal in mind: to produce their own fragrance. Would you buy For Man, After All or For Woman, After All Eau de Toilettes?
it would definitely tell the world that i am serious about being a copywriter for advertising. i can imagine the camera zooming in on it when i collect my Grand Pencil Eagle Lion award at Loeries. then again, maybe i should tattoo the Cannes Lion onto my arm, preferably the arm that i write with. that would indiciate a mixture of dedication as well as a recklessness you would only find in a zany writer such as myself.
Imagine this pretty face on my body. Feel like it would do some srs things for my image. Wouldn't have to stress about winning one coz i'd always have one. forever. Can imagine reminiscing on my advertising career as an old woman, and the question i shall ask only i can answer: Was i brave and strong and true? Did i fill the world with visual puns+logos my whole life through?
So what payoff line should i get tattooed on my lower back? Or on the back of my neck? Should i get the barcode of my favourite product tattooed on the back of my neck? Did my Maserati have a barcode? It must have some sort of code somewhere. Possible payoff lines i’ve thought of so far (some real, some written by me to describe me):
– umshini wam bam boogie [it means “Bring me my fake matric certificate” in one of our indigenous languages and is our ruling party’s president’s official slogan]
– Alive With Possibility [this is brand South Africa’s slogan]
– Please don’t squeeze the Charmin
– The Real Thing
– Finger Lickin’ Good (very conceptual, feel this one operates on many levels, physical, emotional, intellectual)
– Because I’m Worth It
– Inspired. Motivated. Evolved. (thinking of having a few spine implants that make my skin look like that of an attractive alien. original, fresh thinking, IMO.)
– Everything is easier on a Mac
– Sheer Living Pleasure (shows my zest for life and intolerance for anything moderately priced)
– V, W, U N ME (feel like this is a conceptual take on an old classic, kinda like myself, really)
– Let your fingers do the walking (smart yet sexy. I feel this one is a close contender)
Anyone have any suggestions? I really feel like this tattoo could win an award. Even if i don’t have budget for it, i must make it happen. Even if i only get the tattoo printed onto transfer and apply it for one day and i take lots of photos of it. This really does feel like a turning point in my career, y’ulle.
Don't you think there should be an award at Loeries for the Grand Prix Advertising Person? As in, the person who most upholds the brand of career that is advertising? Think i could stand a real chance there. Instead of having a Loerie as the statue it could be a human with arms outstretched like a Loerie. And it could break off after an hour, just like the real ones do, for extra authenticity.
MyBrandedLife(TM) 