The story of our creative manager, Takayuki Noda (or as we like to call him, Tak), is one of surprising success and a reminder that we can always reinvent ourselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduating from high school, he spent a number of years doing odd jobs and part-time work until he decided to enter into copywriting competitions. This ended up propelling him into his career today, first as a freelancer and now as a full-time employee at content marketing agency TAMLO.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt all started in 2008 when I won Bunka Housou\u2019s \u2018Radio Commercial Contest'. I wrote radio advertising copy and ended up winning one of the top spots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tak decided to enter into awards as a way to switch his career and get into marketing and advertising. He knew that he needed to somehow prove his abilities since he had no prior experience. Thus, he decided to enter into competitions as a way to show his skills to potential employers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI won my first Senden Kaigi Award in 2014,\u201d Tak went on. \u201cI actually won two years in a row, and then again in 2020.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Senden Kaigi Awards are Japan's largest public advertising awards. The organisation was established in 1962 and has been a gateway to success for copywriters. It has provided many opportunities to young creators and aspiring copywriters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of Tak\u2019s winning copy includes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We beat everything from politicians to cockroaches.<\/em> (for Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan\u2019s largest newspapers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only students can enter the advertising industry with nothing to show for it. <\/em>(for Massnavi, a job board site for graduating students looking to work in advertising & marketing). <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWinning these awards has given me work. It\u2019s given me a career as a copywriter and creator. I would still be a freelancer or unemployed if I had not made the decision to enter into competitions all those years ago. I certainly would not be at TAMLO now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get into the creative mindset, Tak says his best moments are when he\u2019s relaxed. When he\u2019s in the bath, watching YouTube, or reading a book.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter I\u2019m given an assignment, I keep it in the back of my mind all day. Then, when I\u2019m doing something else unrelated in my day-to-day, it sometimes can inspire an idea. I make sure to write it down on my phone and type it all out later when I\u2019m at my desk.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of technology and tools, Tak tends to be old school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI prefer to take meeting notes with pen and paper. It helps me remember things better. It also allows me more freedom as I sometimes like to draw illustrations or other non-text notes.\u201d For his creative work, he mainly uses Adobe software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next award he\u2019s aiming for is the Tokyo Copywriters Club (TCC) award, which is highly respected within Japan\u2019s advertising industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TCC is an association of copywriters and commercial planners active in Tokyo and throughout Japan. Every April, the club selects an outstanding work from among the advertisements used in the previous year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As far as non-award related goals, Tak would love to work in sports someday. Sports, particularly baseball, have been an ongoing passion of his. I suppose it\u2019s time for us at TAMLO to start chasing some sports clients! <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a final word of advice to aspiring award-winners, Tak encourages them to write a high volume of copy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t be satisfied when you\u2019ve written just one really great one. People don\u2019t typically win with the copy they are most proud of, as you have to write copy that will appeal to many different people. So write as much as you can, and submit 10 of the best. The more you practice, the better you\u2019ll get.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We at TAMLO are always looking to meet freelance writers and creators, so please feel free to reach out to us on social media<\/a> or email us<\/a> if you would like to connect.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From freelancer to award-winning copywriter The story of our creative manager, Takayuki Noda (or as […]","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[13],"yoast_head":"\nHow Tak gets creative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Future copywriting plans & goals <\/h2>\n\n\n\n