Ozean, the entire company, had a fantastic experience today, and we owe it all to BBDO Atlanta.
This all started with Lauren Kruglanski in our office. Ozean had the following CRAZY idea: “Let’s see if one of the world’s largest advertising agencies would allow Ozean to come sit with them and pick their brains and ask A LOT of really stupid questions.” Lauren must have called every advertising agency in the southeast. Finally, BBDO Atlanta said “sure, come on up!”
From the moment the entire Ozean office (interns and all) stepped off the elevator, we were treated to a first-class experience. From the electronic signs welcoming Ozean to their buckhead location to the receptionist that greeted us with “You must be Ozean, welcome”, we quickly realized we were in for a fantastic time. The awesome Chief People Officer (Debbie) showed us around and welcomed us with open arms.
We were then invited to have an unrestricted, free-flowing discussion with Rob Cherof (A UF grad-Go Gators), the BBDO Chief Marketing Officer, and Sara Jones, the BBDO Director of Finance and Operations. I will tell you this - I have not met more straight forward, honest, and great people as these two in the advertising agency business. They allowed this idiot to ask any question I wanted and they provided us a honest answer. I can not say enough about Sara’s willingness to share some Best Practices with Ozean, and Rob’s insight into the entire ad agency industry is unmatched. Having access to these two professionals for an hour is like having a master level’s course for a semester. Thank you both.
Once Sara and Rob excused themselves, we were treated to a panel discussion of 8 plus people. They included designers, managers of digital operations, Resource Managers, account managers, studio managers, and others. Here is the bottom line: each one of these professionals had one hundred things they COULD have been doing rather than sharing information with a small, piss-ant ad agency from Gainesville, FL. Each one of them most likely had 10-15 job tickets opened while we were sitting there with them. You NEVER would have known that. They were the most gracious hosts, and all of them willing to share their battle scars and war stories to help Ozean. There is NO DOUBT that AT&T is in the right hands with this agency. These people know the advertising business and they know how to execute.
Ozean wrapped up everything with Debbie Linder, the Chief People Person at BBDO. I had to resist hugging her (HR people are a little sensitive about those things), but I can not thank her enough for hosting Ozean.
Frankly, I cannot figure out why BBDO agreed to meet with Ozean. There is no REASON at all that huge agency should take the time from their top management and their specific job functions to offer any advice to us. HOWEVER, they did, and they did it with grace and awesomeness that I have not witnessed in a long time.
How valuable was it?
We had a 6 hour car ride back, and the entire car ride was filled with discussions about work flow, responsibilities, processes, needed changes, and these discussions possessed a rejuvenated enthusiasm not seen in a long time.
Ozean Interactive Media thanks BBDO Atlanta, and Ozean hopes that one day, at some time, we can return some small favor.
PS The only bummer of the day - I didn’t get to show off my MAD ping pong skills on BBDO’s famous ping pong table. Next time, I am SO BEATING someone. Challenge!
Ozean Media is an award-winning web design firm.