PrettyGreen | B Corp’s Post

So there I was, fresh from the whirlwind of McCann NYC, landing with a bit of a thud in London, 2008. The transition from bustling ad scenes to, well, a career pause wasn't exactly what I'd call a soft landing. The job market was as inviting as a closed door. Fast forward to my first big client meeting in London. To say I was a bundle of nerves is an understatement. I was so jittery, I resorted to fidgeting with my pen, desperately trying to find my client-speaking groove. And then, as if to add a dramatic flair to my anxiety, the pen exploded. Ink. Everywhere. It was like a scene from a comedy sketch, except it was my life. The meeting took a nosedive, and so did my confidence. But, you know what? It was in that inky mess that I realised we're all just human. Even clients. There's this illusion of perfection we chase after, but real life? It's far from perfect. That day, covered in ink and embarrassment, I think I became more human to my clients. And somehow, that disastrous meeting turned into the foundation of a strong, successful working relationship. It was as if letting my guard down and showing my vulnerability made me more relatable, more trustworthy. When our client L'Oréal rolled out their #WorthitResume campaign, it struck a chord with me. It was a reminder that our mess-ups, our not-so-fine moments, are often where we shine the brightest. Or, at the very least, where we learn the most. Now, when I present, I keep my hands free – no pens to betray me. I've embraced my story, ink stains and all, because sharing these moments can help us all be a bit more forgiving of our flaws and fearless in the face of new challenges. So, here's to the mishaps, the blunders, and the beautifully imperfect journey. It's through these #proudfailures that we truly grow. Shayne Millington Elav Horwitz Nusara Chinnaphasaen Ioana Filip Isabel Castens Erica Yahr (she/her) Stephanie Nerlich Ann-Christine Diaz Ioana Zamfir Would you join me and post your own “proud failures” stories? Please include hashtags below👇🏼 #WorthitResume #LOrealParis #TruthWellTold #McCannWorldgroup

This year has been absolutely bonkers. In my personal life, I: — Started the year off on maternity leave, and made the decision to stay at home for a few more months to soak up time with my baby — Focused on my health, getting serious about fitness and prioritizing wellness — Related to that, I started eating meat after 20 years of being pescatarian — Traveled internationally as a family of four — Project-managed my family’s Italian citizenship journey, a labor of love (now two years in the making) — Coordinated a surprise 60th birthday trip for my mom, bringing 30+ attendees together from out of state —Slayed my Edward Cullen Halloween costume (this needed to be included) Professionally, I: — Dove headfirst into freelancing, embracing uncertainty and a path that allows me to design my life — Styled wardrobe for commercial shoots, including work for VIZIO, Sono Bello, and TX Whiskey — Gained my first interior decorating clients designing Airbnbs  —Supported a flagship store launch on Knox Henderson, landing coverage in the Dallas Observer and driving over 500K social media views — Organized a tattoo pop-up event (yes, it was as fun as it sounds!) — Marketed the release of Volume 13 of a renowned publication, crafting content to expand its reach — Optimized social media strategies for a fashion consultancy and knitwear designer, elevating their online presence — Ghostwrote thought leadership content for founders and CEOs, amplifying their voices — Advertised 25+ pop-ups at YETI, ensuring every event was a success — Strategized email marketing campaigns for a platform that uplifts emerging brands. — Started producing my own content—sporadic, but something I’m excited to grow! — Recovered from two crushing job rejections after final interviews, and kept moving forward And finally, I accepted a project that I’ll begin in January 2025! 🎉 (More on that soon.) This year has been all about growth, experimentation, resiliency, and navigating incredibly gray areas. I think I'm a little wiser because of it? TBD on that one. If we’ve worked together this year, supported each other, or crossed paths in any way, thank you. You’ve been part of this journey, and I’m so grateful. ❤️ #ReflectingOn2024 #Freelancing #GrowthMindset #MarketingStrategy #LifeUpdates

Meet Dani Osio, our employee spotlight of the month! 🤩 What is your role, and what does it entail? I am a social media coordinator. My job is to actively communicate with clients about their social media strategy and work with them to create the perfect timeline, content, and goals. What is your favorite part of your job? My coworkers! They are so supportive and kind. How do you enjoy spending your free time outside of work? Spending time in nature, reading, artistic endeavors (painting/photograph/etc.), friend/family time, going to museums, and thrifting. Your favorite meal? You can never go wrong with a good burger and fries. #Teamworkmakesthedreamwork #EmployeeSpotlight #employeeappreciation #employeerecognition #employee

How is the job market at the moment? I'm having a lot of conversations with both creatives and clients at the moment, and here are some of the top observations for what I'm noticing in the market right now. #creativerecruiters #creativerecruitment #creativeindustry

From Receptionist to ECD at BBDO NY. Elena Knox, Executive Creative Director at BBDO New York, shares her career story on the show. From starting as a receptionist at Mullen to crafting campaigns like the Huggies Super Bowl ad, Elena explains how persistence and bold moves shaped her path. It might also include crafting a six-foot sign to get the attention of her first CCO. Tune in for lessons on breaking into advertising, thriving in the industry, and empowering the next generation of creatives. Elena also shares advice on work-life balance, finding mentors, and embracing curiosity to grow in your career. 🎧 Listen now and connect with Elena on LinkedIn!

How is the job market at the moment? I'm having a lot of conversations with both creatives and clients at the moment, and here are some of the top observations for what I'm noticing in the market right now. #creativerecruiters #creativerecruitment #creativeindustry

I blink, check a message, prepare dinner, and suddenly, my kids are older. I hear my daughter parking in our garage, unloading a handful of groceries she picked up for me at the last minute. My phone rings and my son’s long-distance number pops up on the screen, my baby figures out how to climb onto the dining room table. Time flies, and I struggle to keep up. In the whirlwind of design deadlines and family life, I sometimes long for uninterrupted focus. But then I remember the beauty of this chaos. It’s in these messy, unpredictable moments that I find inspiration for my work. Some days, I want to fast-forward to a time when I can fully dive into my career. But in the same breath, I want to freeze these moments, to remind my children how loved they are and to witness their growth. My kids know that during the day I work for 14Minds. What does Mommy really do each day? They’re not sure. They overheard me speaking about the behavioral health facility that we recently branded. They took a peek at my screen as I reviewed a pitch deck for Chai Lifeline New Jersey’s stunning new center for families. They’ve seen drafted AI images of caregivers and loved ones. They know that [unlike a lot of other working mothers ;] I love my job and am grateful every day for opportunities to do meaningful creative work. They can’t tell you for certain what it means to be an art director. BUT they can confidently tell you one thing: in and out of the office, when Mommy has extra pockets of time, she tries to do creative, fun things. I didn’t tell them I was designing the artwork for this week’s Treeo cover… I decided to surprise them with it. And the looks on their faces were priceless. It's not the first time I did it, but their response never gets old. These small, creative moments bring so much joy. And in the midst of all the deadlines and chaos... these moments of joy make it all worthwhile. #AIrtDirection #DesignLife #FamilyBalance

🌟 Calling all creative directors, talent managers, and recruiters! 🌟 We’re thrilled to invite you to Creatives & Caffeine— our networking event of the year, reimagined. Instead of a traditional portfolio night, we’re shaking things up with a relaxed, interactive experience where real connections are made over coffee (or chai!) 🍵✨ Here’s what makes this event unique: 🔹 Two focused sessions: To help you connect with the right people, we’re hosting separate days for Accounts & Strategists and Art Directors & Copywriters. No more sifting through endless portfolios – meet exactly who you’re looking for! 👀 🔹 Knowledge exchange: This event is all about bridging the gap between up-and-coming creatives (us) and experienced pros (you). Your insights could be the spark that kick-starts a new generation in the advertising industry. 📅 Event Details November 26th, Tuesday: Accounts & Strategists November 28th, Thursday: Art Directors & Copywriters 📍 Location: Red Rocket Coffee— 1364 Danforth Ave, just half a block from the Greenwood subway station. Whether you're here to share your knowledge or soak in new ideas, come for the coffee, stay for the connections. Get ready to network, chat, and maybe spill a little tea😏 We can’t wait to see you there! Wondering what you'll see there? Check out my portfolio! https://lnkd.in/djGQnRzG #CreativesAndCaffeine #NetworkingEvent #AdvertisingIndustry #CreativeNetworking #TorontoEvents

Ultimately, lead time success is the sum of many parts. With so much often weighing on the BIG creative idea, though, a wholly strategic approach to creative ideation plays an important role in the planning process, and overall attendee experience. While our Creative Services Director, Rebecca Shanks (who we’re thrilled to have back on deck following maternity leave 🌟) says being asked to ‘be creative’ without sufficient time to do so in a strategic way is one her biggest challenges, with lead times in a constant state of flux right now, there is a solution at play. Swipe for the big reveal, as Becca shares some insight into how she and the Sledge creative team deliver on the big idea. #Sledge #creativity #creativeteam #eventplanning #projectplanning #eventproduction