The best carrier advice I’ve received.
Coming from a background in finance and marketing, I landed a job at an advertising agency in 2007, leading me to quit my master.
I joined DDB Stockholm and began working on the McDonald’s account. During my initial onboarding session with the Account Director, Pelle Josephson, he told me (I'm paraphrasing here, it was after all in Swedish):
“I know you have ambition, but you need to learn the craft first. You need to learn how to get from brief to launch, how to produce radio ads, TV commercials, outdoor… Once you’ve learned this, you will be much better prepared to handle any future negotiation.”
From that time I’ve always optimised for learning over money. And trying to be patient.
You can have grit, intelligence and perseverance, but you’re running a fools race without knowledge. It is hard to piece out the future if you don’t know the history.
My advice? Dive into biographies. Understand why specific decisions were made at particular moments. Learn from the missteps of the past, and you'll recognise that while history might not repeat itself, human nature remains consistent. Only our context changes. Take lessons from those who have excelled in your desired field.
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?
My second most memorable advice was from Björn: “Pick your battles” when working for a small print ad for a travel company which was running us mad with frustration 🤣
Vice President of Communications at GEICO. Former Obama White House Spokesperson and Administration Official
8moThrilled to have you on the team, Rachael! Your limitless talent and drive will help take our great brand to new heights. I can’t wait to see what you do!