Killed Ideas

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About Killed Ideas

At Blurb we work with creatives every day. Hell, most of us were creatives in our previous lives. It's a byproduct of the business we're in that some of the best ideas never see the light of day. We think the best of these killed ideas are valuable, and should be celebrated. So we're bringing them back to life in Killed Ideas, Volume 1.

Why are we so passionate about great ideas getting their due? To put it simply, ideas are the currency upon which our community was built. Blurb is a creative publishing and marketing platform that gives you the complete control to quickly and easily design the book you always imagined – with professional production values, and immediate global distribution. We deliver the permanence and impact of commercial-quality books, with the speed and flexibility of the Internet.

We're thrilled to be behind this project because it gives respect to the things we value most – creativity, expression, achievement and community.

  • Who owns the rights to my submission?
    The work is yours - always has been. You’re just giving us permission to print it in a book or post it on our site – all with proper credit to you of course.
  • Will my client find out?
    That’s up to you. Branding your submission would be ideal, but ultimately what we care about is your idea and the context in
  • What Killed Ideas are eligible to submit?
    We want ideas that could have changed the face of advertising, elevated a client's brand to new heights, or won a webby – but instead ended up on the cutting room floor. TV campaigns, microsites, print goodness, viral – you name it, we want it. Whether it's traditional or cutting-edge, we're looking to show the best ideas to an audience who appreciate a killer campaign when they see it.
  • What is ineligible?
    What is considered ineligible? By submitting you certify that you have the right to let us use the material, if selected, either on the blog, in Killed Ideas Vol. 1, or both. So if you don't have the rights to let us re-produce the material, your entry would be ineligible. Go here for full legalities.
  • Who decides what ideas get published?
    We’ve brought in an agent provocateur for this big task - an editor with a sharp tongue and an eye for all things good. Yep, it’s that guy - Steve Hall of AdRANTs fame. This is not a democracy - what the Curator says, goes.
  • If my idea doesn’t make it into the book, isn’t it being killed again?
    Well, kind of. But isn’t that part of the creative process? On the plus side, we see this project as being the first in a series - hence the Vol. 1 - so maybe your idea will come to life the next time around. Now quit crying.
  • Why are you doing this?
    At Blurb, we celebrate creativity, in all its forms. We think your best work should be shared with the world and we want to introduce you to our favorite way to do so — in a Blurb book.
  • How will we know if our idea is selected?
    Submission for Volume 1 is closed. Don't worry, we're still celebrating some of the best work on our blog so get your work in. Our people will get in touch with your people if your work is chosen or if we need more info along the way. So make sure your contact details are accurate.
  • Where can I get a copy?
    We are giving away one book per day from June 16th – 30th. Make sure to sign up on our mailing list for a chance to score an exclusive copy of Killed Ideas Volume 1.
  • Who can help me with submission issues?
    Contact help@killedideas.com and we will get back to you right away.
  • What’s in it for me?
    Validation, for starters. You think your idea’s a winner? Here’s your proving ground.
  • Is spec work acceptable?
    Ideas are what it’s all about. And we’re all about celebrating the great ones. Send ’em if you got ’em.
  • Is this just open to advertising?
    All brilliant ideas should be celebrated. Get creative - advertising, branding, PR, package design, viral marketing - we’re not picky, as long as the work stands up.
  • Can I submit more than one killed idea?
    Bring it. If you’ve seen more than one killer idea crash and burn, we'll bring ’em back to life.
  • How does the competition work?
    Submission for Volume 1 is closed, but we are still celebrating the best ideas on our blog. It's pretty simple. You submit your work, we'll sift through it all. Don't worry – if it gets featured, you'll know.
  • What is considered a Qualified Entry?
    Repeat with me - ideas are king. If you've got a good one that's never seen the light of day, bring it. Advertising. Marketing. PR. Viral. It's all good, as long as it's really good. If it's a spec idea, we'll take that too. Because why? Ideas are king.
  • What would be disqualified?
    If we don't have enough information to know your idea's good, we can't use it. If we find out your idea's already out in the wild, we can't use it. If you don't give us enough to make it interesting for the book, we can't use it.

Steve Hall is the publisher of AdRants and has done time in media, account management and new business at, among others, Leo Burnett, Starcom/Mediavest, BlackSheep Marketing, and Bozell, where he managed big ass marketing budgets for both consumer and business-to-business clients including Reebok, Sperry Topsider, Monster.com, Tyco, Marriott Hotels and Marshmallow Fluff.

Steve has written about and spoken for industry associations on topics such as the advertising's role in consumer-controlled media, the integration of public relations and advertising, the future convergence of media, and the decline of traditional media. He is co-founder of MarketingVOX, an online marketing publication, co-founder and publisher of the ad:tech industry trade show weblog and creator of the advertising social network AdGabber.