Did you steal that shirt from a dinner lady?

great little interview. genuinely feel excited for him.
please do more of this sort of stuff but improve the sound recording.

I'd love to have seen the 'first day' shirt....

I may not be the most articulate of men. Or the most intelligent. Or even the most talented. But at least I'm not anonymous.
I salute the witty ones though. Maybe copywriting isn't dead.
The first day shirt was black Rufus. Should have worn that. Saying that, on the back of that interview we won the contract for the new STV test card.
Be brave people.

Ruddy Nora. After this, if you had the choice of being interviewed by The Drum or being raped by a rampaging Mongol army, you might need several days to reach a decision.

I blame that Steve Drummond for all this. His comment about Don's dinner lady shirt, whether justified or not, set the bass tone for the majority of the comments that followed. Shame on you Steven.

If you go to the button on the time bar thingy at the bottom of the screen, then click on it and wiggle it backwards and forwards very fast you can make Don do a sort 'Dad' dance thing with his arms waving backwards and forwards. I'm sure the same will work will Angus if he does his bit. So big tip. Don't wave your arms around. Maybe just the digits at the end of them. (Isn't that what digital is - using your fingers?)
Good luck Don.

Did I miss anything?

Will, that works incredibly well. Thanks for the tip.

He's doing something different. Give the man a rest.

Also stick your name to the posts. It's a little cowardly not to.

Honestly? Give the guy a break. It’s very easy to have a pop at people but where’s the evidence of any innovative activity from YOUR agency. If you think you’ve actually got something better to say let’s do it. Let’s open the debate. Next month. Line Towers. 5 minute slots. I’ll even get a few Liners on the floor cause I know we have decent chat. We can film it and post it up here next month. If you’re ‘too busy’ skype or video conference in. Email me if you’re up for it malky@line.uk.com.

Don, you are to the Drum what Lady Di is to the Daily Mail.

You sell papers. And that's a skill in itself.

Garf is right. At least you're doing something different and willing to reinvent yourself.

To the anonymous posters out there, get a life, get a name. Grow some balls. And have a proper opinion instead of just shouting "rubbish" from behind a wall cause it makes you feel manly. Ever wondered why the Drum isn't asking you for an interview?

And to the guy who called me self righteous - I forgive you my son.

SFX: TOP GUN THEME.

Don, I'll be your wing man brother.

59 comments already. Surely this is the most successful string of posts on The Drum to date?

Stephen - keep a record and let's get a leaderboard going.

There should be an award for the person who provokes the greatest number of responses.

And an award for the funniest comment of the year.

And a 'brown nose' award for the ass-kissers out there, who are probably more annoying than the anonymouses.

Ian

Only 7 to replace the Don-meister? ;)

Nice afternoon out there, keep smiling all

It's me Ian, I've had enough of Gareth and his smelly hair.

Any jobs at Realise? I'm starting a stampede

Jonathan. I'd like to point out that my hair is not smelly. It is my strength.
It's even picks up the internet!

S4C if I stand on the roof.

S4C?

Do you not think most of these comments would be laughed off as banter if we were all in the pub with Don?

If he is the good guy that McAteer & Co claim then all the stuff about small feet and dinner ladies' shirts would clearly be considered nothing more than gentle ribbing.

Key difference here is the anonymity of the commentators. And the fact it's all remote.
It then leaves comments open to the interpretation of the reader and the spirit they think it was meant.

Personally, I don't think former colleagues jumping to his defence does anything more than fan the flames.

Like I'd say to my seven year old, ignore them and they'll go away.

I'd like to know who Alan Kittle is. You commented on my recent promotion and pointed out that it might make me settle in one place. And that BJL have cured my itchy feet once and for all. Who are you? You comment a lot.

Mr Don, I'd just like to say the same as I said to Mr Steve a few months ago over in San Fran, who has also been embracing and bringing fresh ideas to 'Digital' (why do we call it that - it's just a different shaped layout pad).

It's a brave and shrewd move and I wish you well. And if you can stop people viewing it like Mr Anon - A "web page" is a document, typically written in (X)HTML, that is almost always accessible via HTTP, or less often HTTPS, a protocol that transfers information from the web server to display in the user's web browser - then brilliant.

I have to also say that reading all these comments (from the safety of Manchester) makes me think it's true what I once heard someone say - The only people the Scottish hate more than the English, is themselves.

Yes I know Don isn't Scottish before anyone, or perhaps that should be, anon, posts any smart arsed comments.

Pete.

I'm the former CD of Teamspirit, former boss of your former colleagues George Cascarino and Doug Nolan (I called you for a reference when I gave him the job). I've also had the pleasure of meeting with Billy, when he and I spent the day brainstorming Scottish Widows' Olympic Sponsorship. We've met in the pub before but obviously I made little impact on you. That's a pity.

I seem to remember I was wishing you well and congratulating you all on your success. I did not for a second intend anyone (especially you) to think I was having a pop at your agency moves. It's nice to see talent being rewarded.

As far as my commenting on the site is concerned, I am a Scottish advertising fanboy who strongly advocates the quality of the work created here. I care about our industry and the people who work here. I feel compelled to comment on others work because it's what makes me tick – I like great work and think I've always fairly judged what's put up here.

If you, or anyone else, has an issue with my comments then I apologise – maybe I could have been one of the anonymous masses (and therefore avoiding criticism) but that's not my way!!! If you've seen my comments in the past it should be clear I champion people using their names – look where that's got me.

Alan.

Don booked me once to photograph a naked woman holding a kebab.
No, she wasn't the dinner lady and that wasn't her shirt.

Superb! Can't believe that one small interview has managed to cause so many handbag fights online. Congrats Don, you've well and truly gone "Viral". Job done.

Hi Alan, hope you had a nice long bank holiday weekend.
Of course I remember Doug and George as I worked with them directly, that was my point I suppose - directly. I've met many a person over a drink and like you, I'm sure you don't remember everybody's name. So I certainly wasn't been smart arsed and derogatory. Not my style. Just an observation that you comment a lot. And there's nothing wrong with that, at least you put your name beside your thoughts.
And yes I got that you were been complimentary, unlike most of the comments on this story.
But if anyone can rise above these cheap comments and prove all those doubters wrong, it's Don.
I'll catch you over another comment sometime, I'm sure!

I think the black shirt might have worked better. Of course you'd still get the piss ripped for looking like knightrider or something ;)

Well. that filled a hole in my morning reading this load of old clap trap.

The anonymous point is well made, more than once, so no need to go there.

I'm with Ian on the impression this particular thread makes on our industry.

It makes us look like a bunch of petty, small minded, jealous twits. Now, I think I'll watch the video (or don't we call them videos anymore. How 1984 of me.)

Being a bit busy today is the first opportunity I've had the look at this item, and read these comments.

I'm feeling a little distressed to be honest, that someone thought I ,"Smudger", might have been involved in posting pathetic and hurtful remarks about someone I barely know.

Don Smith may rub people up the wrong way from time to time, but he is no fool.

I"d like to wish him all the best at Realise, and totally echo Ian McAteer's comments.

Smudger

Judging by the comments on this item, design hasn't lost its sense of humour, it's just a pity none of it is put to good use. I personally like the comment in the bottom corner of the screen...YOU TUBE