We should have known it was too good to be true. Things were going too well. Our good fortune was about to run out. But we didn't really want to acknowledge it. Really. We never do. It's all about doing great creative work. So our misguided optimism lead us down a path to the ever-familiar fantasyland. Three campaigns met with initial client accolades and praise in two weeks time. You just know you are testing the fates. It was too perfect. When is the ball going to drop?
Well, it did today. The corporate marketing director finally got in front of the VP with all our original, fresh and edgy concepts. Edgy inserted here tongue-in-cheek. Edgy for this conservative B2B client. New stuff. Paths they have not trod before. Really awesome integrated work. That takes a few months - or at least a few weeks - to produce. Therein lies the rub. This client is late. Tragically. All the time. Wow. We loved your work. But we need something to go out this week. Seriously? I mean, SERIOUSLY? These marketing events are only scheduled like YEARS in advance. They obviously did not know two years ago - or even two months ago - that this event was coming up. And forgot to really engage until a few weeks before the campaign needed to launch. Like I said. Seriously? I mean, SERIOUSLY???
So we are regrouping again tomorrow. The client. The agency partners. The creative director and copywriter. And me. To figure out how to realign work in one morning that should have been planned six months ago. And how many times has this happened in my career lifetime? Another day in the life of advertising. Seriously.
2 comments:
Seriously.
Badway
TO ANY CLIENTS WHO HAPPEN TO READ THIS POST: Do not automatically assume that this story is about you. Unfortunately, all clients are either you - or just like you. And this little story could be about any of you. No offense. But if you are in marketing, you already know it's true.
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