FYI

We say it in our marketing materials and our proposals: ASI is not a typical marketing firm. We’re integrated. We’re unique. We take a different approach.

And you know what? It’s true. As an independent and privately owned organization, we don’t fall back on the name or the deep pockets of a monster conglomeration located in an ivory tower across the country or even across the sea. We’re in this together—that means you, me, the person on the other side of the cubicle from you, and the guys in the big window offices on the sixth floor. Every day can be the breaking point, another win or another loss. We all share the glories, the defeats, the challenges, and the wins.

We depend on each other. And we’re pulling up our bootstraps, and getting it done.

It makes me really proud to be part of this company, and even prouder of where we’re headed.

It makes me really proud to work for a team like Will Sullivan, John Emms, and Mike Brown. A leadership team willing to stand before its employees, open the floor for debate and discussion, and share their plan for the future.

I’m here at ASI because I plan on doing something great.

The other day, as I gathered with my colleagues on the company dance floor, I looked around and I realized: The greatness is already here, every day when I come into work. And the best—truly—is yet to come.

Cool.

Translation services, episode 1

What follows is an actual email conversation. Names have been changed to protect identities.

AE:
How we coming with the proposal? We still on-track to deliver something today?


ME:
I still need numbers from XX, but you'll get it. I'm aiming for 4:00. {TRANSLATION: I haven't done a thing. But you'll get it}


AE:
Sweet! Have you already bounced the proposal off XX? Are you meeting with him to get those numbers? {TRANSLATION: I'm not reading your emails.}


ME:
Who are you and why won't you leave me alone? {TRANSLATION: Who are you and why won't you leave me alone?}

Red Bull Art of the Can

New digs.

I'm dismayed to share with you, dear friends, that the producers neglected to include me in the video announcing our agency move. Apparently, the rights to using Angelina Jolie's image were cost-prohibitive. (you'll get it when you watch).

But I was soooooo close. Follow along with me now:

(:10) Pat Rosenstiel.... standing outside my (former) cubicle.
(:19) Yes, those are cases of Red Bull. Best. Client. Ever.
(:27) There's Will Sullivan.... he's standing INSIDE my cube, giving me grief about taking my toads to the new office space.
(:35) And now Buck Humphrey.... who's also standing just outside my cube.
(:45) Oh look... now we're driving across the bridge. The route I used to take home every day.
(:58) Arriving at new digs. See those windows? No, not my office.
(1:11) Stairway inside the new digs. My (new) cube is at the top of those stairs.

Ok, that's it. End of my guided tour.

Today's blast from the past

I'm trying to turn my piles of work samples into longer-lasting, space-saving electronic files. So in digging through it all, I'll post some of my favorites. This is a pro-bono campaign I worked on with an art director several years ago.

Overheard in the office

Said the account person:
Why is it that whenever she leaves town, there's a steaming pile of poop?
And it's in a bag.
Outside my door.
On fire.

Marathon meetings explained, #1

Following is an actual conversation segment. It is not a dramatization. This is why meetings turn into marathons. This is what makes me want to pee my pants and run screaming from the room because I could be getting real work done.

Account Person:
So let us know if you want us to provide XXX.

Client:
Absolutely, do that for us.

Account Person:
So yes or no on XXX?

Client:
Yes.