Suit Up
For the next two weeks,I spend most of my time in front of a computer screen. Between my freelance work, my project with Aaron, and all the other end of term assignments I have to get done, I can barely fit in a one hour session of kickboxing each week, never mind have any sort of sociallife.
I’m holed up in the library at school on a Tuesday, still wracking my brains for a way to uniquely market handmade soap. I’ve been bouncing ideas back and forth with the client for weeksnow.
“What about soap bouquets?” I ask out loud. I’ve reached the point where talking to myself in public is no longer a concern. Luckily I’m in a deserted back corner of the library, and am only overheard by an ancient stack of dictionaries. “Fruit bouquets are a thing. Why not soap? She already makes some shaped likeflowers.”
The more I think about it, the more the idea appeals to me. We could really push the products as giftware that way. I shoot an email off to the client, hoping this will finally be the idea we settle on. If I have to scroll through any more Etsy listings I might just poke my own eyesout.
I glance at the time on my laptop screen and decide to pack up and head to Digital Marketing. We still have class time with Gary, even though he just gives us work periods with the chance to ask for his feedback. I’ve asked if he’ll review our campaign with ustoday.
Settling into my chair, I watch as a trickle of students filter in. The hand on the clock gets closer and closer to the start of class and there’s still no sign of Aaron. I made sure he knew we were meeting with Garytoday.
The rest of the students have already gotten down to work and my impatient foot tapping has increased to hyper speed when Gary walks up to my desk, wearing his usual jeans andConverse.
“Still need me to review your stuff,Christina?”
“Yeah,” I answer, “that would be great. I was waiting for Aaron to show up, but it looks like that’s not going to happen, so let’s just start withouthim.”
The strain of keeping my tone pleasant makes me feel like my eye is about to starttwitching.
Gary takes a seat next to me. “So, what have you guysgot?”
“Well,” I say, unable to hold back the huff that escapes after the word, “notmuch.”
I pull out my laptop and notebook to go over our campaign details. Our photo shoot is scheduled for tomorrow, and without the images, the only concrete things we’ve got to show for ourselves are the post-less social media accounts we’ve created, and a blog template that still needs to be filled with content. Most of my discussion with Gary is spent describing what thingswilllook like, once they’redone.
I turn to him once my explanation is over and wait. He taps his finger against his chin for a moment as he runs his eyes over my laptop screenagain.
“I’ll admit you guys are a bit behind the game at the moment, and you’re cutting it close with the photo shoot,” he remarks. My chest caves in at the scepticism in his voice. “But the angle is unique. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone take this exact approach with lingerie, and in the ad world, a quality original idea is getting to be hard to comeby.”
His praise perks me up like a cup of coffee. “So...you like it?” I prompt, hating how much I sound like an overeager child, but needing his encouragement to brighten the dark tunnel these past two weeks havebeen.
He smiles. “I do. I’m excited to see it all cometogether.”
I beam at him, knowing that between all my glowing responses to his praise and the angry outbursts he’s witnessed me inflict on Aaron, he probably thinks I’minsane.
“By the way, how’s working with Aaron going?” heasks.
“It’s...going. He’s smart,” I admit, forcing the compliment out. “The whole concept came from him. I didn’t need to be as worried as I was about having him as a partner. Although, as you can see, he didn’t even show up for classtoday.”
“Well, as frustrating as that may be,” Gary tells me, “it’s like I said before: this is a good opportunity for you to experience the realities of the advertising world. Not everyone’s going to be as reliable as youare.”
I just nod inresponse.
“Oh, and speaking of the advertising world,” he adds, “I don’t usually let people in on this, but I know how much the showcase means to you, and I’ve just gotten a confirmation list of the attendees. Want to take a look? There’s some big names onthere.”
My eyes go wide at the offer. “Yes,” Ibreathe.
We walk over to his desk and I hold my breath as he pulls up an email, feeling like I’m about to look into a crystal ball and see my entire future. Gary steps back and I lean over the screen, hungrily scanning the list of names. My excitement climbs in pitch with each one until the inside of my head is just one shrillwhistle.
Gary was wrong. These names aren’t big; they’re huge. My gaze lands on the last company on the list and I almost have to grip the desk insupport.
EpsilonMedia.
Any one of the firms on this list would be a dream to work for, but Epsilon Media has been the bar I’ve set my sights on since I decided I wanted to work in advertising. They have more famous campaigns under their belt than half this list combined, and they’re known for their innovation and creativity. Epsilon Media isn’t a bunch of old white guys sitting around in suits; their offices rival Google as far as cool factor goes, and its every young advertiser’s dream to be considered cutting edge enough to work forthem.
“Epsilon,” Igasp.
