Related Posts
More Posts
How to complete TQ in Accenture
Pro
Coach
Pro
Conversation Starter
Conversation Starter
Making Asses Clean Again
Additional Posts in Advertising
Pro
Which house are you choosing? 😎
Is there an “ideal” time to interview?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
I always give them exactly what they’re asking for and then do a second version that answers all their feedback but is better thought through and more amazing. They usually end up going with my recommended option with a few minor tweaks.
It helps them feel heard and helps develop a relationship where they trust me more than themselves on certain topics.
Really powerful brand platforms ultimately kind of happen organically - for all the reasons that you are seeing. Greatness at anything from a rose garden to a brand is a rarity. Maybe Steve Jobs, Elon Musk or Phil Knight can inspire/mandate something, but the more YOU fight for it, the more the stakeholders you have mentioned will continue to push back - because that’s what lots of folks do. Do the best you can, but don’t fall on your sword. Any idea that a group of people are not 100% committed to executing will not achieve it’s potential - I guarantee that.
Marketing services is a tricky world, because we have to care a lot in order do the work well, but you can’t care too much because it’s ultimately not your decision.
Celebrate that you created a great platform & keep the thinking/ideas in your files. It will be useful at some future point in your career. I’ve kept a record of my best work & have used the process repeatedly. Occasionally I have found a terrific “customer” or “benefactor” at a client & we made magic happen.
I worked brand side for a while and it was a similar situation. I just accepted that the work would be boring. If you crave interesting work, have a side hustle.
“Being driven into the ground so hard by stakeholders” sounds like there has already been a battle or two. If so, I’m not optimistic that you’ll turn their hive mind back toward your opinion.
If possible, try to save stems from where the work was pure and build out a piece or two from there as you would have in an ideal world. That’s all you can do for your book. Sadly, this industry is becoming less and less ideal. It’s not a world or economy where big brands will take risks. You’re the chef at a Red Lobster and the customer wants what’s worked before, even if it’s not the healthiest plate for their circumstances.
Fight for it!
Chief
If the platform is good and has longevity, you can roll out better executions down the road. I doubt anyone thought Just do it and Think Different would last this long when they first launched. It's a marathon.
Rising Star
No offense, but can I ask how long you’ve been in the business? Just to say that this happens. A lot. Often. The older I get the more I understand there are times to passionately encourage a team/a client, and times where it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be. Then you just go like a pro, do the best you can within the parameters. But if you’re new at this game, know it’s coming more often than not.
Threaten to pull the work. Show them how serious you are. They came to you for the work. You are the expert they clearly need as they hired you.
Agencies allow for work to get bastardized to easily IMO.
I say this as a planner, the people who often push for these kinds of assignments, but I think unless you're working on a platform with a small group of people, these things just don't reach the level of potential they once did. I'm NOT saying to give up, but I do think it's important to pick your battles. The other thing to do is maybe have a "collaboration session" with said stakeholders. The issue with brand platforms is many at these brands don't feel like they, the actual people who manage the brand, get a say. It's not just ego, it's feeling left out of something that directly affects their jobs.