The Cranky Creative, Author at The Cranky Creative Blog

Marketing disguised as content - whether a webinar, an ebook, a whitepaper, or a blog post - is one sleazy tactic

July 7, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Marketing disguised as content is sleazy AF

Gah, marketing. The land of “free” consultations that turn into high-pressure sales pitches, “thought-leader” articles written by glorified SEO jockeys, and infographics so cluttered with logos they look like a

June 9, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Why Google is not your friend

(AKA, The World Wide Web is neither free nor fair under Google) Remember when Google felt like a helpful search engine, a gateway to all the world’s knowledge? Now, it’s

Out-of-work job seeker frustrated by a difficult job market

April 9, 2024 The Cranky Creative

The Great Creative Layoff: why finding your next job feels impossible

It’s become a bad joke: One moment, I’m reading a LinkedIn “news” story touting a booming jobs market — and the next, I’m doom-scrolling through endless posts from out-of-work creatives.

The Cranky Creative reviews Jessica Harper's new book, Jessica Harper and the Culture War Murders

March 13, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Book Review: Jessica Harper and the Culture War Murders

Calling all mystery novel fans! Jessica Harper and the Culture War Murders (The Misadventures of Jessica Harper Book 2) is a fun and funny read for anyone who loves a

Humblebrag definition from Merriam-Webster dictionary

March 4, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Mastering the LinkedIn humblebrag: my journey to social media stardom

The following is an actual humblebrag I tongue-in-cheek posted on LinkedIn — dedicated to the LinkedIn “thought leaders,” “rockstars” and “gurus” whose humblebrag posts inspire me to, well, keep scrolling

A young black girl in a business suit prepares for a job interview

February 19, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Forced quotas or fair chance? The debate around ‘racial parity’ in hiring

In the current push for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), some businesses are focusing on “racial parity” in their workforce demographics — that is, prioritizing the hiring of people of

NFL football fans playing a drinking game with Super Bowl LVIII ads

January 30, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Million-dollar mind control: why ‘your favorite Super Bowl ad’ does not exist

Pass the chips, hold the Kool-Aid. This Super Bowl, The Cranky Creative is serving up some red-pill hors d’oeuvres. Plus: The ultimate Super Bowl ad drinking game! Super Bowl LVIII

The Cranky Creative sits down with The Daily Telegraph to talk about why today's ads are so bad

January 9, 2024 The Cranky Creative

Why TV ads are so bad: Cranky sits down with The Daily Telegraph

Last week, I was contacted by Stephen Armstrong, a journalist for The Daily Telegraph who wanted to speak with me about the quality of today’s TV commercials as Netflix, Amazon,

Chevy's new Christmas ad, A Holiday to Remember, Shamelessly Exploits Alzheimer's Syndrome

December 23, 2023 The Cranky Creative

Merry Christmas? Chevy plays the Alzheimer’s card in viral holiday ad

Earlier this month, Chevy set the world alight with a “must-see” five-minute ad titled “A Holiday to Remember.” Billed as “heartwarming” and “a tear-jerker,” the ad garnered rave reviews from

Godzilla Minus One, the Cranky movie review

December 10, 2023 The Cranky Creative

Godzilla: Minus One stomps Hollywood, gives film lovers reason to cheer

No mere monster movie, “Godzilla: Minus One” treats audiences to more heart and humanity than just about any film this year. Go see it as soon as you can. Spoiler-free

Cranky Ad Review: I couldn't take my eyes off this ad for Medicare

November 22, 2023 The Cranky Creative

I could not take my eyes off this ad for Medicare

Someone at QualifyNow Medicare wanted my attention — and by God, they got it. I don’t know if it was the giant word ATTENTION emblazoned in all capital letters across