Battle of the Sputniks

We love a good stoush as much as the next moron, so when we heard whispers around town of a bit of a conflict, we were all over it like a binge drinkers spew on a toilet bowl. (Hey, give us a break, at least we didnt friggin make an ad showing it!) You see, theres a guy around town called Sputnik whos been working here in the ad industry for longer than hed like us to tell... But for the sake of the argument, lets just say its been the better part of 20 years. No, he wasnt born Sputnik but having officially gone by that name for most of that time, its fair to say Sputnik is now his real name. And his brand.

So imagine his surprise and delight when a new digital agency opened up here in Adelaide called The Sputnik Agency. Apparently, when he first heard about it, he rang them and really politely suggested they, well, not call themselves that. But as it happens, they were a Melbourne company looking for a national presence, and changing their name wasnt really an option. So they, in not so many words, politely declined the offer to rebadge themselves in this market. And word is, rather than get in a big, expensive legal punch up, they came to a bit of a gentlemans agreement to do their best to avoid too much confusion and to make sure they point people in the right direction.

Well, last week, the Sputnik person (as opposed to The Sputnik Agency) was bombarded with emails congratulating him on picking up the Krispy Kreme account. So in keeping with the agreement, Sputnik (the person) did what any responsible, honest person in his position would do - he took complete and utter credit for the great win! No, actually, he simply explained all hed done lately was eat a few Krispy Kreme donuts and the win wasnt actually his. However, it seems the good grace isnt necessarily being returned. A friend of mine went in to their office on Glen Osmond Rd recently and asked for me the other day and they just gave him a blank look Sputnik (the person) told us. It would have been nice if theyd pointed him in the right direction. Maybe I should have taken credit for the Krispy Kreme win after all. Apparently The Sputnik Agency also agreed to be referred to as 'The Sputnik Agency' as opposed to just 'Sputnik' to avoid any further confusion in the press, "but that hasn't been happening either" he said.

Sputnik (the person) then offered us a Red Bull and Cookies and Cream Milky Bar (big size, not one of those pissy little ones) if wed put the word out that Sputnik (the person) is in no way shape or form associated with The Sputnik Agency. Who may well do some very cool work, but aren't associated with him. Being the helpful, kind and considerate people we are here at AdTown (and seeing as Sputnik - the person - may just have a little bit to do with AdTown) we agreed to help clear up the confusion.

In summary then. Theres a digital agency called The Sputnik Agency. And theres an analogue person called Sputnik (whos business is called Out of this World). And they are not related, associated or linked in any way. Mystery solved. Red Bull and Milky Bar earned.

PREVIOUS STORY