ADS OF THE DAY: Parker Pens

Collett Dickenson Pearce produced some of the most exciting advertising of the 1970s and 80s.

The creatives who passed through its doors included Sir John Hegarty, Lord Puttnam, Sir Alan Parker and Charles Saatchi.

Even Sir Ridley Scott directed ads for the agency.

One of the best campaigns to come out of CDP was this award-winning work for Parker Pens.

TONY BRIGNULL

It’s beautifully written by Tony Brignull and impeccably art directed by Neil Godfrey. Check out this video of Brignull talking about working with Godfrey.

Brignull began his copywriting career as a trainee at JWT but spent most of his working life at CDP with spells at Doyle Dane Bernbach.

With art director Neil Godfrey, Brignull formed the most successful creative partnership in the history of British advertising.

Brignull came up with many superb scripts for TV commercials for the likes of Clarks shoes and Fiat cars

But he’s best known for his outstanding poster and print copywriting for Parker Pens, Birds Eye, I00 Pipers, Olympus, Whitbread and many others.

NEIL GODFREY

Neil Godfrey started picking up D&AD Awards in 1967 when he worked at DDB. After moving to CDP he carried on winning with Tony Brignull during the 1970s.

Godfrey worked on all kinds of accounts including Parker Pens, Birds Eye, Benson & Hedges, Fiat, Dunn & Co and Albany Life. His impeccable visual style and taste are still influential today.

Their total of D&AD pencil wins is well into double figures. In fact, they are D&AD’s most awarded copywriter and art director respectively.

The team also created this beautifully witty TV commercial for Parker Pens starring Penelope Keith.

Copywriter Richard Foster and art director John Horton also worked on this Parker Pens campaign.