LJ: What do you think makes someone an ideal brand manager?

 

AN: Honesty, humility, a knack for people and a lot of patience.

 

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LJ: What percentage of your time is spent doing what?

 

AN: 40% managing projects, 50% building connections with clients, 5% developing timelines and 5% stress-eating.

 

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LJ: What do you do to get inspired? Hobbies? Interests outside of advertising?

 

AN: Read articles on Fast Company, 99U, + scroll through Tumblr for creative inspiration: quotes, photography, etc. Writing short stories. And eating. In all honesty I actually do the last one about 99% of the time.

 

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LJ: How did you get your job? What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?  

 

AN: I was contacted by my current director via email, had a stellar phone call, did the whole interview dance,and made it. I honestly just had to remind myself to be myself — it’s very easy to get caught up in what you think people want to hear. Say what you want to say.

 

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a great journey in the industry — from a MAIP internship at FCB Chicago, MPMS 2014, Admerica + Adcolor Award trips and a stellar job at Leo Burnett Chicago working on McDonald’s + McDonald’s Happy Meal for two years, it’s definitely been a ride in which I’ve met a lot of amazing individuals and learned a lot of unforgettable things.

 

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LJ: What has been your most difficult experience in this industry to date? How was it resolved?

 

AN: Working with clients who may not necessarily see the dynamic between an agency and the client as a relationship. I’ve dealt with it with a lot of patience, prayer and Pinot Grigio.

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LJ: What has been your most gratifying work experience? What are you most proud of?

 

AN: If you’re in account management, the best thing that can happen to you is being a part of a pitch. I joined the McDonald’s team when they were right in the thick of it and I learned so much about myself, what I was capable of and what it means to work on a team that wants to do great work.

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LJ: What do you think is the most common misconception about this industry?

 

AN: That it’s a group of people who don’t care selling pointless stuff to people who don’t want it. There are creatives who really believe they can leave the world in a better place than they left it, and are working alongside their respective clients/brands to bring about real and lasting change.

 

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LJ: What are some changes you would like to see made, internally, to this industry?

 

AN: Topic du jour: diversity. I worked at an agency that had four black males in their entire account management department - an agency of 1000+ employees. Industry needs to try harder.

 

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LJ: What key piece of advice would you have given yourself back when you first realized you were interested in advertising?

 

AN: Don’t think you have to silo yourself to one part of the industry! There’s so much opportunity for cross-pollination — started in account management but think you have a knack for strategy? Ask someone! For the most part, people in the industry are willing to help you figure out what it is you love.

 

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LJ: What is the significance of diversity in advertising?

 

AN: If the creative output doesn’t reflect the world it’s being pushed out into, it’s not working. If the people behind the creative output aren’t willing to embrace the world they live in and challenge old constructs, they’re not working.

 

LJ: In a few words/one sentence, what does advertising mean to you?

 

AN: Advertising is all about achieving the impossible — influencing human behavior.