Interesting story. 'Original Modern' feels more like an incomplete strategy rather than a communications idea, so it's no surprise people don't totally get it. It's an insight not a message. It captures some beautiful truths about Manchester but it needs finishing. I heart MCR isn't the fix, there's a bigger and better solution to this. I would hate to see a city I love fail with this.

WTF? Manchester. Hold your head in shame.

A ludicrous and offensive statement which undermines the authority of Nick Johnson and the reputation of Marketing Manchester.

is it just me or does this sound like the wine talking?

otherwise, why anyone would want to round on a supplier they have hired in such a way is beyond me.

the fact that the recipient is peter saville just makes the whole thing very unsavoury. without saville and his cohorts, modern manchester wouldn't exist in its current form.

if it's true, shame on them.

What an utterly disgraceful comment to completely malign someones ability in this way. I think Nick whatever has behaved in a totally unprofessional manner which could impact someones future career. When someone leaves a job for whatever reason they should not be taunted in the press.

Shameful and somewhat pathetic!!!

To be fair to Nick, I think the comments here might suggest to someone not present that it was some sort of pre-meditated verbal attack which I don't think for a minute think it was.

Peter Saville love him or hate him, he was asked to contribute his passion and love for Manchester, I for one think he delivered 'Original Modern' in a clear way, does it have to transform into action? is it how the reader, citizen and joe public think of it? placing an idea and taking it from there?

Here's an Original Modern idea for you... don't wash your dirty linen in public!

@adrianbentley - dirty nylon, surely?

Elsewhere in The Drum, there is a reference to Saville having a £120k a year salary - assuming this is correct, then who in god's name were the more expensive people that were asked, how much is the man that chose Saville being paid, and finally, can I submit "Manchester, Salford of the East." as a new strapline available at a fraction of the price...

I find a few things depressing about all of this.

The foremost one is that Nick Johnson didn't say that Saville was hired because he was the cheapest and desperate for work. This fact negates the credibility of NIgel's blog, this story in The Drum and the comment threads that follow. He did say that Peter was the cheapest (as an amusing aside in the context of the other world branding experts that were considered and that Peter rightfully takes his place amongst) and he did say that Peter was, at that time desperate for work (again as an aside) but he was extremely clear that the reason Peter got the job was because of his insight and challenge.

Maybe it's just because I get the Original Modern philosophy but I feel Peter delivered and then some. I love the context, challenge and provocation that Original Modern offers us all as the benchmark for our vision and business objectives. Maybe it's because some just want a strap line for the city - (let's call them the "Up and Going" crowd) that there is so many myths being perpetuated. I'm not the only one who feels this way (check out Michael Taylor's blog www.themarpleleaf.bloodspot.com for a journalist's view of the event and philosophy).

This event was part of the MPA World Class series. The aim is to raise people's vision and to appreciate that we can compete globally. We have had some incredible events in this series (helped immensely by our partners, Deloitte and Inside) including Andy Baker at MoFilm, Photolink, McKinnon and Saunders) but this event was totally inspiring. To hear Nick talk about his achievements, visions, hopes and fears achieved everything that this World Class series was all about and the feedback from the majority who attended has been heartwarming. People went away fired up and motivated to activate the Original Modern philosophy in their workspaces. This was a world class event with a world class thinker.

I'm all for debate but to see such a fine event with such a fine output turned into a 'cheap' story because of a quote taken entirely out of context saddens me. Knowing as well the respect that Peter and Nick hold for each other makes anybody who knows both aware of how ludicrous the quote is.

The one thing that doesn't depress me is knowing that the MPA is still delivering on it's promise to raise the level of debate in the creative industries. This event is typical of what you can expect. To gain the proper context of what our world class speakers are actually saying next time, don't take it from a blog or a story based on a blog but come and witness it yourself and make your own mind up. (www.map.org.uk)

Mike good shout on this - for all those that attended this event and who have subsequently spoken with me today thanks for the supportive thinking and demonstration of how a World Class speaker such as Nick really challenged our thinking last week - it was truly World Class - Sorry if the event wasn''t enjoyed by some - but as Mike says we need to be very clear on this - comments made in an open, light hearted and informal environment which are then taken it would seem out of context isn't very helpful to any of us - we do our best - we look forward to our next thought leadership event in January which promises to be exceptional www.mpa.org.uk details will be posted soon

My links were:

Michael Taylor's blog
www.themarpleleaf.blogspot.com

The MPA
www.mpa.org.uk

As I'm sure those who attended the MPA event last week will agree, Nick was both an interesting and inspiring speaker, so it is a real shame that his comments have been taken out of context in this way. Nick's respect and appreciation for Peter and his creative vision was absolutely clear- this quote really is ludicrous.

I was at the event and I do agree with Emma. It is a real shame Nick's comments were taken out of context. The event was excellent and Nick's respect and support for Peter was evident throughout. I have great respect for the Drum but think on this occasion the desire for a good headline out weighed good journalism.

I have to agree with The Drum's defence. Even if the comments were made 'as an aside', I would have found it incredibly insulting if I was being spoken about like that. I think it's incredibly unprofessional, not to mention vulgar, to start discussing that Saville - who I have a lot of respect for - was cheap. And to say he was desperate, well, I think everyone would realise that fact when he took that kind of job. I imagine he's now regretting getting involved with such an immature lot.

Anyone who was at the MPA event would all vouch for the fact that this article totally misrepresents what Nick said. I'm sure Peter will have the sense to realise that Nick's comments regarding him were taken out of context, and that he does in fact hold Peter in very high regard. This was certainly evident from Nick's speech.

Nick Johnson is one of the most erudite and witty speakers I've heard in a long time. He said nothing that was insulting. He has a great sense of humour and these remarks were only meant in that vain. For people to be so up in arms about this is ridiculous. It's particularly irritating for people who weren't there to come back with such strong opinions on something they know nothing about. It was a very interesting talk and one that I was very glad I attended. To hear more about the history of the development of Manchester was very interesting. People should be glad someone like Nick has been so deeply involved. He is clearly proud of the city but is under no illusion about it, how far it still needs to go etc. Thanks for the MPA for providing a great forum for important views to be aired and shared.