What can a ragtag gang of misfits can teach creative comms pros?
‘We might be skint, but we’re never short on ideas.’
– Everyone in comms, probably.
Ever felt like you’re strapped for cash, dodging a last-minute deadline and fending off a faint whiff of panic? Welcome to life in creative comms. Or, as the gang from the brilliant British TV show Brassic might call it, just another Tuesday.
Set in a fictional Lancashire town, Brassic follows a loveable gang of broke-but-bold misfits who stumble from one dodgy scheme to another. They’re scrappy, chaotic and morally questionable. But it’s weirdly inspirational.
Because no matter how much they mess up (and they do, a lot), they’ve got loyalty, heart and a knack for pulling off miracles against all the odds.
Sound familiar?
Here’s what we can learn from Vinnie, Erin and the rest of the Brassic crew, along with a supporting cast of quirky characters… a farmer who says the unsayable, a GP who needs as much help as he gives, and a terrifying nemesis in a Range Rover.
Work with what you’ve got (even if it’s not much)
Whether it’s borrowing a Shetland pony or running a fake art scam, the Brassic gang never lets a lack of resources stop them. Their plans are messy, last-minute, and deeply unwise, but somehow, they happen.
Sound familiar?
Can you create something brilliant with no budget and a vague brief?
Of course, we can. Constraints don’t (always) kill creativity. They can spark it.
You don’t need flashy when you’ve got flair.
Your team is your ride-or-die
Vinnie’s mental health spirals. Erin’s holding everything together. Cardi and Tommo have got their own battles.
But despite the chaos, the gang backs each other to the hilt, even if it means crossing crime lords like Terence McCann (who could make any stakeholder look tame by comparison).
In comms, that kind of trust and loyalty is priceless. You don’t have to be best mates, but you need to know someone’s got your back when the goalposts move, or the stakeholders ghost you at sign-off.
And yes, your team might include a Dr Chris Cox type (generous, frazzled, and in desperate need of a nap) or a Farmer Jim (delightfully unfiltered and probably not HR-approved). Embrace the chaos. It’s where the magic happens.
“Good teams don’t just get the job done — they get each other.”
Humour isn’t optional – it’s essential
One of Brassic’s superpowers is its humour. It never shies away from serious stuff. But it always finds the funny, whether it’s Tommo’s madcap escapades or Jim’s frankly concerning take on animal husbandry.
In comms, humour is a secret weapon. It humanises brands, connects people, and cuts through the noise. More than that, it helps us cope. When the pressure’s on, a shared laugh can be a lifeline.
“Funny sticks. Formal slips.”
You’ll never be 100% ready, so go anyway
If there’s one thing Vinnie and co know, it’s that plans rarely go to plan. No number of spreadsheets or mood boards can prepare you for a U-turn mid-job or someone losing the keys to a stolen van.
The same goes for comms. Stakeholders change their minds, crises pop up, and someone will ask for Comic Sans. Being adaptable, rolling with it, and adjusting is all part of the job.
“Perfection is a nice idea. Progress is a better one.”
Even when you’re Brassic, you’ve got value
The Brassic crew may be skint, but they’re rich in loyalty, quick thinking and sheer tenacity. They create their own chaos and their own community.
Comms teams may not always have the biggest budget or the fanciest tools, but you have ideas, influence and insight. You are the culture-carriers, the connectors and the storytellers. That’s worth a whole lot.
“Being broke isn’t a barrier — it’s a breeding ground for brilliance.”
Embrace the madness
So, here’s to the Vinnies, Erins, Tommos and even the Jims of the comms world. We may not always feel in control. You might juggle deadlines, dance through stakeholder drama, and make magic from matchsticks.
But like the Brassic crew, keep showing up. With heart. With humour. And with an unshakable belief that something brilliant is always possible, even when you’re skint.
Over to you…
What’s your best “Brassic” moment in comms?
A campaign made on scraps that smashed it?
A team moment that saved the day?
Drop us message or share your story. We’d love to hear it.