Comments on: Advertising from the Inside Out http://bournesocial.com/2008/08/27/advertising-from-the-inside-out-2/ Where personal and professional branding meet. We are all born social. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:15:31 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Ruth Seeley http://bournesocial.com/2008/08/27/advertising-from-the-inside-out-2/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Ruth Seeley Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:49:42 +0000 http://relentlesspr.wordpress.com/?p=331#comment-10 The agency hierarchy with its 'VP anchors the account' and work funnel approach also leads to repression of creativity at the junior levels. After they've been stomped on for the over-enthusiastic expression of their ideas for four or five years you then have to send them out for creativity (re)training when they've finally made it to the account director/VP level, something I always found rather sad and about which I used to complain bitterly. (Gee, I am belatedly beginning to understand why the general manager of my former agency once said his knees started to shake when I stood up to ask a question at a staff meeting. I'm unrepentant though - he should have done more than quail.) There's a difference between knowing how to behave in a client meeting (and knowing to let the senior folks take the lead in face-to-face encounters) and imposing that hierarchical structure on all aspects of the working environment, and sadly I don't think many agencies get the mix right. The agency hierarchy with its ‘VP anchors the account’ and work funnel approach also leads to repression of creativity at the junior levels. After they’ve been stomped on for the over-enthusiastic expression of their ideas for four or five years you then have to send them out for creativity (re)training when they’ve finally made it to the account director/VP level, something I always found rather sad and about which I used to complain bitterly. (Gee, I am belatedly beginning to understand why the general manager of my former agency once said his knees started to shake when I stood up to ask a question at a staff meeting. I’m unrepentant though – he should have done more than quail.)

There’s a difference between knowing how to behave in a client meeting (and knowing to let the senior folks take the lead in face-to-face encounters) and imposing that hierarchical structure on all aspects of the working environment, and sadly I don’t think many agencies get the mix right.

]]> By: emontague http://bournesocial.com/2008/08/27/advertising-from-the-inside-out-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8 emontague Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:40:12 +0000 http://relentlesspr.wordpress.com/?p=331#comment-8 Love this post because you've captured exactly why I enjoy being here at Mullen too. Building on your point about telling people you work at Mullen and then explaining you work in PR, I offer up that I've gone so far as to remove the term "Public Relations" from my Mullen business card. People can agree or disagree with that decision but I'd rather not be pigeonholed by someone on the outside who may not understand what "Public Relations" at an integrated marketing communications firm can offer a brand. In my opinion, it's simply so much more than what a traditional PR firm can offer or what they may have experienced with a firm like that. I'd rather let the broad integrated environment shape and define my role rather than a title that includes the words "Public Relations". Love this post because you’ve captured exactly why I enjoy being here at Mullen too.

Building on your point about telling people you work at Mullen and then explaining you work in PR, I offer up that I’ve gone so far as to remove the term “Public Relations” from my Mullen business card.

People can agree or disagree with that decision but I’d rather not be pigeonholed by someone on the outside who may not understand what “Public Relations” at an integrated marketing communications firm can offer a brand. In my opinion, it’s simply so much more than what a traditional PR firm can offer or what they may have experienced with a firm like that.

I’d rather let the broad integrated environment shape and define my role rather than a title that includes the words “Public Relations”.

]]> By: davidmullen http://bournesocial.com/2008/08/27/advertising-from-the-inside-out-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9 davidmullen Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:42:23 +0000 http://relentlesspr.wordpress.com/?p=331#comment-9 In the spirit of transparency, maybe I should have disclosed that I also work at Mullen. I assumed people would recognize my mug from the sidebar to the right, but I shouldn't assume that. In the spirit of transparency, maybe I should have disclosed that I also work at Mullen. I assumed people would recognize my mug from the sidebar to the right, but I shouldn’t assume that.

]]> By: davidmullen http://bournesocial.com/2008/08/27/advertising-from-the-inside-out-2/comment-page-1/#comment-7 davidmullen Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:41:11 +0000 http://relentlesspr.wordpress.com/?p=331#comment-7 You've hit on many of the reasons I enjoy working at an integrated marketing agency. The energy is contagious and the incredible work I see going on in other disciplines gives me ideas for PR tactics or full-on campaigns that I may not have thought of otherwise. I've worked at PR-only shops and integrated agencies, so I have the credibility to say that I believe working in an integrated shop makes people from all disciplines smarter and better at what they do. You can't help but be influenced by the great things going on around you that you aren't exposed to at most PR agencies. Ultimately, clients are the ones who benefit most from this collaboration across areas of expertise. You’ve hit on many of the reasons I enjoy working at an integrated marketing agency. The energy is contagious and the incredible work I see going on in other disciplines gives me ideas for PR tactics or full-on campaigns that I may not have thought of otherwise.

I’ve worked at PR-only shops and integrated agencies, so I have the credibility to say that I believe working in an integrated shop makes people from all disciplines smarter and better at what they do. You can’t help but be influenced by the great things going on around you that you aren’t exposed to at most PR agencies. Ultimately, clients are the ones who benefit most from this collaboration across areas of expertise.

]]> By: Ben Waugh http://bournesocial.com/2008/08/27/advertising-from-the-inside-out-2/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Ben Waugh Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:54:06 +0000 http://relentlesspr.wordpress.com/?p=331#comment-6 I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts. I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.

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