Oriental Bank, one of Puerto Rico’s top banks, went out to buy one of its competitors, one that was larger than themselves. What happened? Other banks tried to take advantage of the merge, attacking the customers right at Oriental/BBVA’s doors. How Oriental responded? Check out below:

And they say you can’t get creative in the finance category…

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I’m going to let the creative largely speak for itself (principally OOH, usually at 48 sheet billboard size):

There are other billboards – but these are the ones I could find online.

The ads are clean, uncluttered.

They don’t urge or command.

They know about the power of type, and the instant associations we make with the “I (heart)…” slogans, re-purposing these to help identify and build brand with the oak leaf emblem (an idea which is flexible enough to be repeated across a massive range of local and national executions).

And they inspire memory retrieval and processing. “I remember when…” being the thought elicited from the audience’s subconscious, then being projected into future activities.

Beautiful, beautiful work.

Almost in parallel, but in a different country (well, Scotland), NT are trying to preserve their mountains with a great piece of OOH using donated walking boots:

OK, so the execution is somewhat different (I have a feeling that NT England and NT Scotland are probably two distinct entities.)

However, this campaign shows off what can be done with some thought, some innovation – I’m a great fan of the 3d billboard idea, and this is conceptually right on the money.

Are billboards suddenly cool again? With more great thinking like this, they could be more than just your average poster site…

A conclusion, of sorts.

I’m not going to layer this post with too much meaning – we’re all communications professionals here.

But I will say that I’m deeply, deeply impressed – particularly with the first set of ads I’ve shared here.

So many creatives feel the need to Go Large, to cram as much as possible into the work, to be Very Clever.

Instead, the National Trust have been brave enough to take the more laidback approach, to communicate with feeling and inference, rather than with rational or logical persuasion.

AND they’ve made sure that the brand ethos runs across all of their outlets. In a way, that’s the most surprising thing. But the whole brand ecosystem feels the same, it feels right.

I love it. But do you? That’s the question…

But the first question you’ll be asked when talking to a talent manager or recruiter will usually be “Are you looking for freelance or full-time?”

Although the most truthful answer may often be “I’ll work for anyone who will hire me”, the question is worth some serious thought. Let’s go ringside and break this debate down round-by-round:

Rd 1: Money
Freelancing may pay close to double the amount you would typically make working a full-time job at the same level. That sounds great, but keep in mind that figure is only true for the days you are actually booked to work. On the other hand, full-time jobs often offer benefits such as health insurance that you won’t receive when working freelance. What a lot of freelancers don’t realize, however, is that being self-employed allows them to write-off certain coverages (as well as other business expenses) on their end of the year tax return.
Advantage: Double the money?!?! Gotta go with freelance.

Rd 2: Stability
Well, this one’s pretty obvious. You will still have to perform and probably even compete to keep your full-time job, but more than likely you won’t have to find a new one each week. Freelance gigs can end without warning and range in lengths from a couple of months to as little as one day. As a freelancer you will constantly be job hunting.
Advantage: Job hunting is less fun than when all your Facebook friends forget it’s your birthday. Full-Time takes this one.

Rd 3: Freedom
The flip side to the stability argument is the freedom argument. When you’re employed full-time you’ll have to fight for those 12 little vacation days, while freelancing more or less lets you decide your own schedule. You could be working one day and flying one-way the next if you want to.
Advantage: If you can handle the stress of being unemployed and take advantage of the moments when work isn’t available, freelance wins this one running (or flying) away.

Rd 4: Networking
A full-time job gives you the opportunity to develop a real mentor-protege relationship with a creative director or CCO. These relationships are conducive to some of the best learning you will ever receive. However, just because this situation is more natural in a full-time situation dosen’t mean it can’t happen in a freelance environment. Plus, while freelancing you will have the opportunity to get to know a wide variety of agencies and meet a good chunk of the talent in your city (or potentially around the world). If you are well-liked, you may be able to return to a certain agency a number of times and have a chance to develop a strong relationship with your directors and co-workers.
Advantage: Too tough to call this round. Toss-up!

Rd 5: Portfolio
Whether you work freelance or full-time, it’s up to you to create great work. Both situations will offer you that opportunity. However, many freelance gigs become available when last minute needs arise or when agencies need all the talent they can get to compete for a pitch. While these situations are fun, exciting ways to add some great work to your portfolio, the likelihood of that work actually being produced is not as high as it is when you are working full-time on a dedicated client.
Advantage: Both will help you build your book, but the chance to add produced pieces shifts the advantage towards full-time.

Rd 6: Availability
In my first three years working in advertising I have found that freelance jobs are very competitive. Even when you think you have a gig all lined up, it can vanish at the last second. It’s also a lot harder to compete for a freelance job when your book is full of conceptual work that noone has seen before. When you’re new to the ad game, it’s more likely that you’ll get an opportunity to grow with a company if they expect you to stick around a little while. Asking someone to pay you while you go through your learning curve can be a tough proposition if you’re only committing to a two-week gig.
Advantage: There aren’t a whole lot of freelance opportunities labeled “Junior”. Full-time takes this.

And the Winner Is: The judges are split. When you are first breaking into advertising, its a good idea to hunt for the full-time job that best fits your skills and personality. Find a place where you can grow behind a solid leader and build your portfolio. But be picky. Don’t take a full-time job you hate just because it’s the first one you’re offered. Hold out for the right one and if a freelance opportunity comes your way in the meantime, take it. It’s a great way to gain experience and pay the bills while you search for that perfect full-time spot. After a few years, you’ll emerge with more options on both sides of the ring. In the long run, you’ll gravitate towards whichever direction best fits your personality. The deciding vote is up to you.

Puerto Rico’s criminality cases escalated so much, it was considered for the first time in history to apply the death penalty (and change Puerto Rico’s constitution for it). How was this stopped? Check out the case below:

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