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Jeff Benjamin sup?
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2nd option. It allows us to practice our presentation and selling skills. It’s a great exercise if you kind of simulate a client presentation. We also have a lot to learn from a politics perspective: how to react to feedback, how to answer to feedback, how to Jedi mind trick people into buying what you’re selling etc.
Agreed.
To me, hearing feedback straight from the source is always preferred, even if the teams are just there to listen. Things get lost in translation all the time.
Coach
It really depends on the team and their business maturity. Some junior teams aren’t ready/ can’t handle critical feedback or don’t know how to interpret in a constructive way. Sometimes you have to help decode/interpret and deliver the feedback. However, those teams that don’t have the business maturity to be in those conversations and meetings, are the ones that need more mentorship so it’s on you as the CD to help them grow and be ready to join them.
If you can’t trust your teams to understand proper feedback, you’ve hired the wrong teams. If you can, let them do the job they were hired to do. For me it’s always been, creatives present internally all the way up the chain unless someone has an ego, then cd’s (or competent less sr creatives) present to clients.
Here’s the problem with giving feedback directly to more junior staff. If the feedback is difficult, it can be morale crushing to hear that from the ECD. Having you feeling bad is not productive- we need you to be psyched and charged at every round. I’d rather have a meeting with the CDs first to smooth out the issues, then later with the larger team so no one is caught by surprise and we can be positive. All that said, I encourage my team at all levels to come to me at any time with anything, as long as the CDs are kept in the loop regarding work feedback.
My CD used to do the first option. But as soon as timelines tightened, CD let me go straight to the CCO. It boosted my confidence and trust in my talent. Every time CCO shares their feedback, I learned so much more than building on my ideas solely because the fact that I get that 1 on 1 interaction with the CCO.
Creative feedback is a dish best served cold. But seriously, it’s just great to be in the room so you can listen, learn and hopefully grow.
A bit surprised you’ve reached ECD without asking that sooner. Remember how YOU felt?
Though ACDs/CDs should review, hone and guide, let those who created the work present it. Everyone deserves the face time.
The problem I’ve had with the first one is, I’ve had work die because the CCO had a small issue with it and I wasn’t in the room to suggest ways we could solve his problem. I get that there are some times when it makes sense to keep reviews small and sometimes stuff is gonna die for a good reason, but I like to solve problems and think feedback is best when it’s a dialogue.
Coach
Sure. I used to say the same thing until I became a CD. You’ll understand once you’re in that role. It’s seemingly simple from the outside looking in.
I have a feeling this is the exact type of cd who leads everyone to wanting to be in the room.
It’s a good way to weed out the ones who don’t have the stomach for this business.
The agency I just joined leans heavily into #1. I used to think it was because of insecure CDs. But I've learned it's actually an ECD that gets derailed easy and needs small groups and a lot of hand holding through ideas. Not ideal but whatever it takes to get an idea through I guess?
2nd option. First option I’ve noticed the CDs don’t feel as responsible for making the work good
Even I may prefer talking directly to the ECD, I recognize that in some cases it's better having a CD presenting it. They can defend it on their own terms, which can help the idea to survive. That said, I have ~almost~ 100% trust on my CD, which doesn't seem to be the usual for most people.
I prefer to present my own work so it’s not a game of telephone, but it’s really up to the style of your AD and CD. If they have an ego problem, just let them present because otherwise they’ll step all over your plans.
Ya know, snark aside, there ain’t a single answer to this. Generally, you always want the creative team in the room—hell, it’s their idea. But sometimes there are client relationship considerations involved, as in “we should sell this, but there are risks” and management needs space to evaluate. The goal is all about getting the right work done, not who got to witness the bris.