Compaq Computers

Before I decided to swap my traditional ad career for one focused on tech, I had one last big project for Compaq. (RIP, Compaq.)

My writing partner, Liz Rosenthal, and I were the creative team that sold a series of TV spots featuring Sting as the spokesperson for Compaq Computers. The professional in me would like to tell you the primary benefit I gained from the experience is a fuller understanding of the branding process. However, the fanboy in me can confirm the primary benefit was going on tour with Sting for three weeks.

The following is my favorite of the TV spots we created.

Compaq was a client for many years before the Sting project. The following ads from 1996, created with my writing partner, Dan Glassman, highlighted a major change in our working lives. The era when people were tied to a desktop computer in their office was changing to one where they could take their work with them anywhere, thanks to the availability of portable computers. Progress? I'll let you decide that. 

The first ad in this series was chosen to be part of an exhibit at MOMA in San Francisco about this societal change. These ads were also the first pieces of art commissioned by the ad agency to be created entirely on a computer.