Embracing Your Inner Pirate

Jay Chiat’s revolutionary creed, “We are pirates, not the navy,” rocked the advertising world, and changed the ad industry forever. Since that time, countless agencies have modeled themselves after Chiat/Day.

We like to think of ourselves as the pirates too – pirates to the rest of the advertising navy. For us, being pirates means challenging worn out ad philosophies that no longer work in today’s world. It also means leading our clients into the uncharted seas of integrated branding strategies – something that only true pirates can do well.

Why pirates you say? Well, in today’s market, you have to be willing to accept that the world has indeed changed. You also have to be willing to accept that the traditional methods of reaching your audience and building your brand have changed as well.

The truth is, we can all benefit by embracing our inner pirate – whether it’s how we approach our advertising, our business, or our life.

Now, I am not suggesting we all start wearing puffy white shirts and bandanas – but it wouldn’t hurt to perhaps look at things from a different perspective than we are accustomed to.

(The advertising portion of this BLOG and the obvious plugging of The Russo Group branding and integrated marketing agency has concluded. We now return you to the regularly scheduled program entitled, Embracing Your Inner Pirate.)

Ok, so I’ve got your interest now and you’re intrigued by this whole pirate thing, right? So, what now?

Well, it’s simple actually.

All you have to do is raise your sails and set a course for the open seas. You see, one of the main reasons pirates choose to be pirates in the first place is the sea. It’s huge, dark, unpredictable and threatening to everybody but them. They understand the risks involved when dealing with the unknown, but they also understand the rewards.

Yes, the seas may be choppy, but if you have the courage and hold your course, I can guarantee the treasure will come, both metaphorically and literally.

And of course, it's alot of fun being a pirate too – which may be the best reason of all.

Michael J. Russo
Creative Director
The Russo Group

“Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.”

Mark Twain