It’s been an especially difficult year for junior creatives trying to break into the creative industry.

That’s why Father Critmas is BACK, for the 5th year running, with his Merry Critmas initiative to match young creatives with Creative Directors around the world for invaluable Zoom book crits.

This year he's also been in the gym & delivered a Joe Wicks inspired 'Creative Workout' to help students/grads get their portfolios in shape!!

Check out Father Critmas’ self-proclaimed ‘Xmas Ad of the Year’ below…which was written, produced, directed, filmed and edited in just one week!!

To coincide with today’s Merry Critmas campaign launch… we’re doing a fun One Minute Brief.

Following his workout video, Father Critmas has decided to open a #CreativeGym

But he doesn’t know what to call it.

He’s hoping the elves aka OMBLES will help him name it and produce fun posters that include hard-hitting headlines and visuals.

Think about what would be in a creative gym and what the exercises would be called. We’ve already seen crit-ups in the film. It’s time to show us what else you’ve got.

Tweet your entries to @OneMinuteBriefs @TheDrum & @Father_Critmas with the hashtags #CreativeGym and #MerryCritmas

along with the all important line…

Sign up to give or receive the gift of a book crit at merrycritmas.com

And if you’ve not signed up yourself yet… what are you waiting for? Get your crit together!

You don’t need to submit your portfolio (unless you’re feeling brave and want to get roasted by Father Critmas) you simply sign up… we match you… and then you arrange a time between you to suit you.

ABOUT MERRY CRITMAS 2020.

Since 2016, the Merry Critmas campaign has created thousands of book crit matches of young creatives with Creative Directors and it’s getting bigger every year.

This year, the ‘Witness the Critness’ campaign partnered with ourselves, Adland, Cut The Crap, Creative Allies, NABS and The Drum! It was filmed in Stockport at Sozo Gym by videographer Luke Nield and edited by Ben Rustage. OMB founder & Merry Critmas co-founder Nick Entwistle wrote, produced and directed the film.

David Felton, co-founder of the campaign, has been busy behind the scenes setting the framework for all the matches and updated the website & socials alongside fellow elf Breanne Lawrence, with assets illustrated by Shaun Maclennan.

Nick Entwistle:

We want to create these opportunities so that senior creatives can give back to the industry and junior creatives can receive the gift of invaluable advice, placement opportunities and tips to improve their portfolios. In previous years, we’ve worked with Father Critmas to deliver a music video and even parodied a horror movie. So this year, we wanted to do something really epic to inspire young creatives everywhere. And, with so many people doing home workouts right now, we thought it would be a good idea to encourage people to bulk up their books and make sure their portfolio packs a punch so they are fighting-fit for their crit!!
I hope that Creative Directors & senior creatives will join me in signing up to give the gift of their time to a young creative who needs it. Their advice, contacts and critique will be invaluable to help people progress in their careers, particularly when it’s harder than ever to get their foot in the door due to current circumstances.
Tiger Savage, a Creative Director renowned for many hard-hitting and award-winning ad campaigns, has thrown her weight behind the campaign. She has featured in the film and signed up to give her time for several book crits to share her expertise and experience.

Tiger Savage:

I‘m involved with the amazing OMB unique, supportive & diverse community because I believe in Nick’s vision in giving everyone the chance to come up with a cut through creative in a world of often soulless clutter.
If I can help advise young creatives on not just their ideas, but singularity of purpose, art direction, copy, content etc but how to stand out as creatives and make them feel more confident then it will in turn make this Tiger a very happy Mrs Claus.