Things we learnt at Spikes Asia 2014

Please see all of our Spikes Asia 2014 coverage here

We came. We saw. We wrote. We photographed, Facebooked, hashtagged, and tweeted (oh, did we ever tweet). We covered—or at least popped in on—nearly every Seminar, TechTalk and Forum. We attended a great many parties. We watched every...single...award...presentation.

But did we learn anything? Besides the importance of liberal caffeine intake? A few things.

Here, Campaign Asia-Pacific reflects of some of the valuable (and not so valuable) lessons from the week.

1. It’s all about data and tech … 'Sound of Honda', won four Grand Prix awards at Spikes showing that using techology and data in novel ways catches a lot of attention.

2. Be brave ... “You need to be brave to get great work through” - Graham Fink

3 . People can’t get enough of seeing JCVD doing the splits ... We lost count of how many times Volvo’s Epic Split ad featured in a session.

4. Mobile isn’t a thing ... It’s THE thing.

"#Mobile is everything" according to @facebook as they conclude #SpikesAsia " pic.twitter.com/YpgbSJv6Sn

— Spikes Asia (@SpikesAsia) September 26, 2014

5. The future of the advertising industry looks like this ...

What will the advertising industry look like in 2020? #SpikesAsia pic.twitter.com/gGziVMm54K

— Campaign Asia (@CampaignAsia) September 24, 2014

6. Coca Cola wanted to #shareacoke with #SpikesAsia

Nearly there! Anyone for a Coke break? #SpikesAsia pic.twitter.com/ygqexP6YWp

— Jessica Triffitt (@littlejessiet) September 23, 2014

7. Brands love Twitter … and with good reason

3 reasons why brands ♥ ♡♥ ♡♥ ♡ @Twitter by @melissabarnes. via @SocialOgilvy pic.twitter.com/apP7fK3CnA

— Campaign Asia (@CampaignAsia) September 25, 2014

8. This is how you should use Twitter ... said Twitter

"I recommend Tweeting quotes and images." says @twitter's Melissa Barnes. Like this, @melissabarnes? #SpikesAsia pic.twitter.com/F2W2rQDvZH

— Campaign Asia (@CampaignAsia) September 25, 2014

9. The Havas café was more popular than Starbucks

The line at the @HavasCafeSIN at #SpikesAsia is bigger than @Starbucks! #COFFEE pic.twitter.com/ydeovQiGHX

— Campaign Asia (@CampaignAsia) September 23, 2014

10. But you really needed to watch what you say…

“Google keep hiring our best people. So now we’re thinking of offering free lunches too.” #SpikesAsia #recruitmentstrategy

— OverheardatHavasCafe (@HavasCafeSIN) September 24, 2014

11. Showing more exhilarating photos of adrenalin-pumped partying people, lasers and booze included, will actually make a better party photo album.

12. The 30-second creative advertising campaign is becoming irrelevant. Advertisers are increasingly seeking local bloggers, setting up hot shops to deliver always-on content.

13. Creative people should lead companies and nurture their business skills gained from working on brands (180Amsterdam, Al Moseley)

14. Stop categorizing ideas. Simply ask yourself if what you’re doing is the most innovative solution to a marketing problem (Amir Kassaei, DDB)

15. Don’t look to other advertising for great ideas (Casey Neistat)

16. Ask if an idea makes you afraid. If not, it is probably too tame and won’t make an impact. (Rei Inamoto, AKQA)

17. Pitch less and turn down business that isn’t right for you. You will gain more respect. (Ted Royer, Droga5)

18. Using cultural ambivalence can result in unique, entertaining work (Yoshi Matsuura, Hakuhodo)