*meow* *bling*

I was awakened at 4am by an SMS telling me my direct mailer from my previous workplace won a Gold Lion at Cannes. Still swimming in sleep, I thought I was dreaming. Then JD (ex-colleague and art director on this project) called, telling me it wasn't official, but it's a definite Gold (a little bird in Cannes told him). I flopped back into bed. And couldn't sleep for the rest of the night.

I was feeling cautiously optimistic when I went to work all blurry eyed. I wasn't gonna hold my breath until the results were officially out. Then JD called with the confirmation.

GOLD!

Phone calls started coming in from my ex-colleagues. They shared in the happiness and were full of good wishes. Then they told me about the things they were seeing and hearing in their building, and confirmed yet again for me that award shows bring out the worst in people. Sigh. I told myself that I'm not gonna get sucked into a landmine of fragile egos. I believe credit should be given where credit is due. But one person's behaviour was pissing off not just me, but my ex-colleagues as well. I tried to see the humour in the situation, but I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed. Phhhbpptt...

Anyhow, I've decided to let it be. I know this project was my idea and that's good enough for me. And I'm very grateful to the people who have fought, pushed and worked hard for it, even after I left the agency. That's all that matters.

It took 5 years for this idea to see the light of day. And for it to be recognised, I'm thrilled to bits.

But like they say, you're only as good as your last ad. And I've been as dry as a desert for the longest time. Although this is a new 'win', the idea was conceived a long time ago, when I had more drive and passion for this business.

That said, winning does feel very nice.
Crossing my fingers for JH's radio commercial now. It's a Cannes finalist and the results will be out tomorrow. I helped out with that one, but I'm in no hurry to claim ownership, hahaha. The little drama that unfolded late last year thanks to this radio (it won at the Kancils) was quite ugly to watch.

I'm on a little high now, but I know it's temporary. The real challenge is to stay motivated and stay in the radar. Gonna be a tough shot. Especially when there are other things out there I want to do and experience. Things that have little to do with advertising, if at all. Things that don't involve egos bigger than our advertising budgets.

I'll just enjoy this while it lasts.
My previous agency better get me that freaking trophy cos I sure can't afford it! Hahaha! The agency gets one, but duplicates must be paid out of our own pockets. This gold-plated door-stopper lion-head costs £680 and another £105 to courier (about RM5500 in total).


Don't even know if it's real gold or not. Nuts!