John Webster: A creative legend's lessons for planners

John Webster, a creative at ad agency BMP with a high regard for planning, created some of the most iconic and popular ads of the last 40 years.

A creative legend's lessons for planners

Sarah Carteradam&eveDDB

John Webster created some of the most iconic and popular ads of the last 40 years. A creative who had a high regard for planning, Sarah Carter of adam&eveDDB draws out some lessons for planners from Webster's work.

Forty years ago, an unassuming art director at London ad agency BMP drew some beady-eyed Martians with wide, smiley mouths… and made advertising history. The man was John Webster and his Martians ad for Cadbury's Smash dried mashed potato has since consistently been voted the British public's all-time favourite ad.

This Cadbury's...

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