Unraveling Brian Collins
August 24, 2007
Now… we all love gossip. It’s the ad industry. Every time we post a tidbit we get a hundred emails saying that we are loved and hundred saying that we are hated. The funny thing is that often, one reader will love us for one thing, and hate us for another. Sigh. You can’t win them all. So… let’s roll the dice shall we?
While trying to determine the real reasons why Brian Collins left Ogilvy, we’ve stumbled across some other interesting info.
FACT: In 2002, Collins accepted an offer to work at Apple. He had locked down an apartment in sunny San Francisco and had placed an ad in one of the advertising newspapers regarding his new role at the computer maker as VP of design. He had even told Ogilvy higher-ups he was out the door.
FACT: A week after that Collins told Ogilvy he didn’t want to leave the shop. The press followed suit and published the press release without much follow-up.
FICTION?: Apparently, the real story was that Steve Jobs found out that Brian had presented someone else’s portfolio as his own. This story has been backed up by four sources.
FICTION?: Now, here’s the second verison… Jobs sent his driver to pick Collins up. Collins diverted and made him go to a haircut place. They did, and were subsequently late. Brian obviously lied and tried to cover. However his miscalculation was that this guy was like Alfred was to Batman to jobs. This version has been backed up by two sources.
We’re betting that one of these is true. A little help folks? Should we all vote on the likely hood? Email us at agencyspy at mediabistro dot com or IM us at agencyspy
FACT: What everyone agrees on is that Steve fired him before he started. It was a huge scandal at higher levels inside of both Ogilvy and Apple. You know the big boys loved him at Ogilvy and so, he remained. Even after they had promised the job to Judd Harner (now President and Chief Operating Officer Desgrippes Gobé) Michael Ian Kaye (now a senior creative director at ad agency AR), David Israel (now executive creative director, Desgrippes Gobé) and Rebeca Mendez (now a successful artist) in a four way split.
No wonder he’s taking it easy serving clam chowder this summer. After years of pulling off craziness like this, boyfriend has got to be tired. In the mean time, a commentator on our original post had something to say that we’ll cut/paste here in case you missed it:
“I was Brian Collins’ Executive Assistant at BIG a few years ago. I have been waiting for the day for something karmic to happen to him. He treated people like crap, stole designers work and claimed it as his own, lied all the time, and messed up many projects at the last minute. Pretty much everyone that worked with me while I was at BIG, left because of him. Very sad!”
August 25, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Its funny that you are all so obsessed with finding out about Mr. Brian Collins of Ogilvy’s BIG. You’re like hungry bounty hunters lusting for a kill. If you really want to know whats up with him you should talk to people who have really worked with him closely for several years.
Brian is able to wow clients via graphic design and branding unlike anybody I’ve ever encountered. He can take small problems and turn them into the most successful groundbreaking work ever seen. He puts pure uncut dedication into every project, no matter if it pays millions of dollars or if it’s for a non-profit pro bono project.
Brian has launched the careers of countless designers and has continued to support, mold and evolve there visions long after they have left his presence.
A few people may want to talk bad about Brian but they are not business minded, forward thinking individuals. They are probably artists who haven’t quite figured out where they stand in the larger picture of corporate society and secretly wish they had the vision, charm and communication skills that Brian so unabashedly wields at anyone who dares to engage. I’ve seen Brian convince some of the most conservative and traditional companies to accept innovative and seemlingly risque ideas as there own. And, they’ve paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring the ideas to life, there bank accounts are very thankful they did.
Many designers, artist and creative people don’t want to see past their passions and Brian is able to take the passions of the most quirky and opinionated nonconformists and turn them into living, breathing brand environments.
I would pay him to do that for me, and any no-name company wanting to be somebody would eagerly do the same.
Get your heads out of your asses and observe brilliance when it stands before you, and take note…you may learn something.
September 13, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Whoa…
Great presenter, great recruiter, great at building his image…yes…but a cruel, selfish, liar. Lies and outbursts every day…when he could make it into work. Steve Jobs’ brilliance isn’t the iphone, it’s that he picked up on something in a couple of weeks that Ogilvy could not over years.
His “brilliance” is in taking other people’s ideas and making them his own. He understands that if it’s published, it’s “true”.
October 1, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Brian Collins- like Martha Stewart, Madonna, Steve Jobs and all other creative and yes ‘crazy’ geniuses out there are the face for the team of talent they work with.
Brian was BIG and BIG was Brian, along with the amazingly talented designers that worked with him. Most of the projects that he touched- or help develop were terrific because of his contribution.
Brian was the showman for BIG- and trust me, there was no one better.
Without Brian- BIG could have been great- but Brian made it spectacular (most of the time)
Clients wanted to hire him (BIG) after their initial meeting- even if they weren’t sure what they were hiring him and his team to do.
I will reveal myself by this statement (for those who know me or have heard me say this a million times)- Brian is the only person (well, that I have come across) that demanded creative excellence. It was about the work (PERIOD)
Brian has talent and definitely wants things a certain way- which can be extremely painful and inconvenient to others- Difficult at times- sure, but what creative person isn’t? Brian’s worst demon is his need to be a part of all things creative. He, like all of us, wants credit for contributing.
If you were exposed to his temper or erratic behavior- and you couldn’t see what value he brought to the work-
you should have left!
Or gone and worked for Steve Jobs- he will tell everyone out there about you and your work and tell you how much he appreciates your contributions! (NOT!)
I wish there were more people out there like Brian.
He has a heart for people and his work. Sometimes the stresses of work can overshadow his good- but he is good. In my opinion.. his good outweighed the bad.
Fact: Brian was definitely surrounded by gossiping bitter haters.
Looks like you bitter ones are still out there trying to claw their way to the middle.
Go out there and prove yourself- stop worrying about other people’s success or challenges.
Did someone say ‘karma’?
November 20, 2007 at 3:17 pm
“Brian Collins- like Martha Stewart, Madonna…” huh? in the same sentence? Wow.
I guess its a good thing Brian isn’t like a virgin, branding for the very first time.
January 25, 2008 at 5:49 pm
In the words of an obsessed teen-age fan .. ‘LEAVE BRIAN ALONE!!!!’
Leave him alone because he’s as fkd up as Brittney. Self-centered, egotistical and bi-polar. But he would never shave his head. He likes his highlights too much. meow.
January 26, 2008 at 3:26 pm
All ad agencies should have every employee sign a gossip clause. Anyone who emails a website such as this for the sole purpose of discrediting an individual or agency should be fired.
Mr Collins should sue Agency Spy. The information about why he left Apple is a lie. Period. It should be removed.
The Attorney General in New York should be interested as well as the better business bureau.
If Spy cannot verify slander, then don’t publish it. Stating you have three “sources” does not mean anything. Spy’s sources do not include Mr. Jobs or Mr. Collins. Therefore Spy should remove any innuendo immediately.
January 28, 2008 at 12:26 am
The truth is, Brian will triumph when all is said and done.
I have never known Brian to be anything but and ANGEL to me.
As one of his former students, I can tell you that Brian went above and beyond his call of duty, and still does to this day! I feel I can call on him at any moment for advice and support.
No person other than Brian has believed in me more than he has.
No person other than Brian has told me the TRUTH about my work, even if it was hard to hear. Because lets face it, Brian is a living brand genius.
No person other than Brian has done countless favors for me just because I asked.
No person other than Brian has invested more personal time in my ventures.
No person other than Brian has more passion for his students and his work. He is an inspiration to all who are lucky enough to see him in action.
Thank G@D Brian is so honest, and has such passion for what he does.
January 28, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I had an emergency operation in NY and Brian flew from California at the last minute to pick me up at the hospital. He had milk, cookies and flowers as well as a limo waiting for me outside.
I know who the people are who wrote the nasty emails. All I can say is they sniped and bitched and gossiped while brian stayed at work sometimes for days at a time to meet deadlines with the SERIOUS designers and the REAL professionals.
You guys REALLY think you could have taken over Brian’s job? There is a reason why you are still complaining after 6 years– you all were negative then and you still are. I have never met a negative successful person- NEVER. I have met mediocre people who are negative but not truly talented people. AND that is why none of you were ever seriously considered to take brian’s job. All you guys did was talk and bitch and snipe. One day I was there and I could literally smell the nastiness.
It was a Much happier and far more productive place when the 3 complainers left. Everyone was working again and putting out their best work ever.
March 4, 2008 at 3:35 am
Bottom line, the conversations between Jobs and Collins are just that - conversations between two highly intelligent, creative minds. It is truly not anyone’s business but their own as to the what, why, how come, maybe, or whatever of it all. Who cares!
Agreed, a catalyst like Agency Spy should be admonished for allowing such slanderous things to remain posted on its site.
Fact, Brian has and will continue to inspire all those that see his work and hear him speak. He works hard to make the world a more interesting and better place to live.
Brian is more than a creative director, he is a true visionary. All of those that have worked with him, in the present or the past, are all the better for it. Each and everyone of you know what I mean. Brian is a teacher and a student at the same time. He breaks the mold and inspires designers to ask all the important questions and not just placate clients.
Brian demands his team to create, provoke, challenge, educate, and so much more. I back this entry up with more than “four sources”. I not only will give my real name to this entry, unlike so many of the “spies” on this site, but I will also leave my company after 8 great years to join Brian in his new venture. I only hope I can make a difference the way he does.
March 5, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I couldn’t agree more with you, John. I too support Mr. Collins and could only hope for the opportunity to be a part of his new company.
Way to go for putting yourself out there! Bravo.
March 9, 2008 at 7:38 am
I am not exactly sure why I did not identify myself at the time I felt it necessary to have my say about Brian Collins- but I would love for you to add my name to my original post:
I Says:
October 1, 2007 at 8:35 pm:
I am Lisa Sanders-Blackwood- proud fan of Brian Collins
thank you
Lisa