This is an interesting article that I read yesterday in STAR. The story somehow motivates me to write, write and write. As the title says “gets paid to daydream”, what an awesome way to earn an income. The story goes like this.
PRIMUS Nair gets paid to daydream. One day he could be thinking about chickens with leather wings, while on another, aliens and monsters are the subject of his thoughts.
Many of the catchy slogans and punchlines seen on television, print and radio advertisements were created by Primus.
For example, in a Toyota television advertisement, Primus had the Loch Ness Monster attracting its victims by holding a cardboard cutout of the 2006 Toyota Vios.
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Saatchi & Saatchi account manager Annie Boo and Primus Nair discussing a concept. – ART CHEN / The Star
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A part of the creative team at Saatchi & Saatchi, the 24-year-old says he stumbled upon copywriting by chance. He joined Saatchi & Saatchi as a graphic design intern while pursuing a diploma in graphic design at PJ College of Art & Design.
“I wasn’t a very good designer and decided to give copywriting a try,” says Petaling Jaya-born Primus, who has not looked back since joining Saatchi & Saatchi four years ago.
So impressed was the firm that they offered him a full-time position a month into his internship.
Besides Toyota, Primus has also contributed ideas for luxury car brand Lexus, Guinness, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Twisties.
His talents have already been recognised; he was awarded the “Young Creative Award” at the 2005 Kancil Awards, the advertising industry’s biggest event.
My job involves …
… daydreaming! I still can’t believe that I get paid to daydream. (laughs)
I come up with ideas for advertising campaigns.
Read the rest of the story here: A way with words.
I love my job because …
… I get to spend my time daydreaming!
There is a sense of satisfaction when you see the final outcome of an ad on TV, radio or at the movie theatre and you hear people talking about it.
It’s amazing to see what was a mere idea in your head several months ago translated into an ad and to view it.
What I dislike the most …
… are the long and unpredictable working hours.
I have no words to describe the experience of sitting in the office at 3am staring at a blank piece of paper!
As a result, my social life has taken a hit, which can be quite painful, but it’s worth it in the long run.
A millionaire by 30?
Definitely! It’s not easy but it is possible. You’d have to work every hair off your body to get there.
You need to come up with ideas that win awards so that the other players in the industry will notice you and your work.
By winning awards, you will also climb up the ranks and that will see you earning more as you rise.
You are your own brand and other agencies will notice your brand.
It’s not uncommon to be headhunted and lured by another agency.
Fresh graduates who are just starting out in the industry can earn RM2,000 to RM2,500, depending on how big the agency is.
