Diageo seeks greater marketing creativity with 'Shooting for 10' philosophy

By Gemma Charles, marketingmagazine.co.uk, Tuesday, 30 October 2012 08:00AM

Diageo is attempting to transform its marketing creativity through an ambitious global drive called 'Shooting for 10'.

Diageo: new creative startegy for its Smirnoff vodka brand

Overseen by chief marketing officer Andy Fennell, the programme bears similarities to Unilever's 'Crafting brands for life' initiative, which aimed to foster a 'more magic, less logic' approach to marketing.

Fennell has, in the past, spoken of the need for marketers to take risks and not settle for 'sevens [out of 10]'.

One observer said it would result in creative development and briefing becoming less prescriptive and 'more of a dynamic creative debate'. Another claimed: 'No work will run unless it is deemed 10/10'.

Diageo has given marketers additional responsibilities as 'creative leaders' across their brands, and is briefing agencies on the philosophy.

It is also overhauling its 'Diageo Way of Brand Building' programme, a marketing toolkit created in 1999, to better reflect today's challenges. Roster agencies are being briefed on the changes.

A spokeswoman for the company said 'Shooting for 10' was not a 'formal initiative' but rather a goal to 'galvanise the marketing teams'.

It aimed to 'give marketers something to "stand behind" and get them to work out the best way to "shoot for a 10"', she added.

This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk