Agency Launches Strategic Goose to Reinvent Brainstorming Sessions
Auckland, NZ – In a bold move described as “genuinely disruptive” by someone who has a vinyl quote of Steve Jobs behind their desk, acclaimed boutique agency Bark & Whittle has introduced a live goose into its ideation process.
Dubbed the 'Chief Honking Officer,' Gerald the goose now attends all Monday brainstorms, standing resolutely on the boardroom table and hissing at lukewarm ideas. According to Creative Director Dana McVitty, Gerald was originally employed to tackle the office’s mysterious teaspoon shortage but was quickly promoted after inadvertently improving pitch energy. “The moment Gerald honked at Jeremy’s carousel ad format, we realised we were onto something,” McVitty said, citing a 12% uptick in ‘edginess per slide.’
Sources say Gerald has since become integral to daily workflow, often pecking the backs of Account Directors mid-WIP when client feedback wanders into ‘Can we just do what Nike did?’ territory. An internal Slack channel titled #gerald-approves has emerged, where teams submit ideas in hopes of receiving a grain-based reward or a non-aggressive neck stretch from the avian exec.
Bark & Whittle’s HR manager confirmed the goose is on a contractor agreement, receiving payment in barley and vague affirmations. Plans are allegedly underway to develop a second feathered strategic lead, tentatively codenamed Clive, once the legal team settles Gerald’s ongoing feud with the office’s emotional support dog, Periwinkle.
Dubbed the 'Chief Honking Officer,' Gerald the goose now attends all Monday brainstorms, standing resolutely on the boardroom table and hissing at lukewarm ideas. According to Creative Director Dana McVitty, Gerald was originally employed to tackle the office’s mysterious teaspoon shortage but was quickly promoted after inadvertently improving pitch energy. “The moment Gerald honked at Jeremy’s carousel ad format, we realised we were onto something,” McVitty said, citing a 12% uptick in ‘edginess per slide.’
Sources say Gerald has since become integral to daily workflow, often pecking the backs of Account Directors mid-WIP when client feedback wanders into ‘Can we just do what Nike did?’ territory. An internal Slack channel titled #gerald-approves has emerged, where teams submit ideas in hopes of receiving a grain-based reward or a non-aggressive neck stretch from the avian exec.
Bark & Whittle’s HR manager confirmed the goose is on a contractor agreement, receiving payment in barley and vague affirmations. Plans are allegedly underway to develop a second feathered strategic lead, tentatively codenamed Clive, once the legal team settles Gerald’s ongoing feud with the office’s emotional support dog, Periwinkle.