Week 05
It’s a gorgeous morning in the city of London. I’m scurrying out the door for my early work out class at my gym just around the corner. After the class, I go back home and get ready for work, feed my puppy and kiss my boyfriend goodbye. I just got back from a two week long trip to America and it was so great to be home with family for an extended period of time, but I’m excited to get back to the agency!
It’s surreal being back, the familiar hum of creativity buzzing around me, and I feel refreshed, ready to dive in. I’m the creative director at one of the most renowned advertising agencies, and while I knew my team was capable, the excitement of leading them again is undeniable.
Moments after I settle in, I’m pulled into an urgent meeting. Our team has landed a major new client, but there’s one small problem—we know almost nothing about their product. Apparently, the agency needed me more than I thought. We gather for the introductory meeting, hoping to glean as much information as we can. But it becomes quickly clear that we’re unprepared, and the client’s skepticism fills the room. They’re concerned we might not be the right fit, and this deal could vanish before our eyes. After some quick thinking, we de-escalate, persuading them to give us one more chance to redeem ourselves later in the week.
As the pressure mounts, I find myself thinking back to my years at LCC, studying branding and identity. The lessons on research flood back—ethnographic methods, primary research, lateral thinking. With those tools in hand, we dive into research, studying every angle of our client, their competitors, and their audience.
When the day of the second meeting arrives, we’re armed with insights and a solid understanding of their vision. As we present, I can see the shift in their expressions—they’re impressed. The project moves forward, and I’m reminded that my education wasn’t just a degree; it was the foundation for every success that follows.
Apparently I start getting horrible lip filler and wearing dark eyeliner when I’m 33 years old. Can’t wait! People say their 30s were the best!
