Ideas are typically born out of objects, experiences, and events that shape our lives. Since there's a very high possibility for two or more people to experience similar, if not the same, events, it's impossible for anyone to claim to have had, in total, an original experience. Let alone an original idea. Right?
Wrong. In advertising, it's possible.
The credit for an original advertising idea goes to the one who first implements it. This is one of the quintessential reasons advertising is always a race against time. With fast-approaching deadlines and the ever-depleting time for good advertising solutions, people turn into plagiarists and resort to working on already-existing advertising ideas, modifying them to suit their brands and then releasing them as their work of ad.
At first, it'll all look innocent owing to the clever twisting of the copy by the copywriter or the masterful execution of the ad by the art director. But, no matter how much it's suppressed, truth has its own way of coming out. Eventually, the initial appreciative pats on the backs will land the plagiarists in highly embarrassing and awkward positions. In the closely-connected world of advertising, this single black spot can mean major repercussions for one's career. But the good have hope!
How Will This Affect My Advertising Career?
Initially, it'll give you a kick—my ideas must've been great to be stolen in the first place! But think further into time; a time when you'll have to opt for loans, have a large mortgage, and send your children to the best educational institutions; when there'll be competition from new recruits; and when as the old advertising adage goes, "You're only as good as your last ad," holds true, can you possibly risk your advertising job by allowing your ideas to be plagiarized?
I Have An Idea.
Do not sweat. The war is almost won when you're best prepared. While there are no sure solutions to combat plagiarism, here are a few suggestions that can help you at a micro level:
1. You Better Watch Out: Charity begins at home. So does deceit. Watch out for people in your workplace who've stolen ideas in the past. A few have the knack of fishing out your ideas easily, while a few others are what I call 'ghost' colleagues. In a self-embraced invisible mode, they pay very keen attention to what others do.
2. Maintain Well-Dated Back Ups: Got a great idea? Document it. Then email it to yourself. This way you'll have the chronological evidence of your idea on the date it was initiated.
3. Share Your Ideas With Trustworthy Colleagues: When you do this, you are creating an audience who listens to your idea for the first time. Later, if any workplace issues arise, you'll have live witnesses to back you.
4. You Can Do Way Better: So your idea's been stolen and already implemented. Think about what's next. Surprise yourself and everyone else by coming up with a better idea. You wouldn't want to miss out on the guilt written all over the plagiarist's face, now would you?
There's always a positive way of looking at things. One thing you'll need to believe in is: you're way better than the plagiarist is. Push yourself. Be the best, because the Best always wins over the Better, and the Better over the Good.
