I don't talk about work much on this blog (on purpose) but this is more about career than work. Last night I had an amazing opportunity that was one of the most energizing and motivating events I've attended in a long time.
I had the distinct privilege to be invited with 5 other marketers to sit on a panel hosted by the deans of NYUs school of business to advise them on their new masters of integrated marketing degree program. I know what your saying... why Brian? Well it turns out I was recommended by an old colleague of mine who sent over my bio and they thought I would be a good fit for the panel.
So I got a note from the dean last week reminding me about the meeting and in it she included the other participants.... I read the list and broke out in a cold sweat. The other participants were titans of marketing. Head of all marketing/advertising for NY Times, head of marketing for Lands End (one of the best marketing programs out there), a 35 year veteran of an amazing direct and digital ad agency in upstate, oh and the President of Ogilvy!! Michelle, the president of Ogilvy, is someone I've been dying to meet for years. So that amazing roster of individuals... oh and me. What! I spent the last week psyching myself up for the meeting and convincing myself that I could actually add anything to the conversation, and last night was the meeting.
What should have been an hour brainstorm turned into a 2 hour session. Let me tell you guys it was a blast! and I held my own very well. I was able to guide a lot of the conversation but what was most rewarding was when it became evident that my view of the modern marketer and what it takes to excellent was almost exactly how the others viewed it. To have a good strategic conversation about what it takes to be amazing in your role and to have it be the things that I'm already mastering (or planning on mastering) in my own career was exceedingly motivating. What was great about the list is that it wasn't generic like "all good marketers should know how to build a product strategy" well duh... instead it was incredibly insightful like "how to build a marketing and media plan that balances direct response, brand awareness, and lifetime value as priorities against specific strategies that have to be approached through critical thinking" then we would dive into those specifics.
Rambling here but it was sooo fun and sooo energizing. Everyone was wicked smart and I felt that the comments became increasingly intelligent and insightful the more and more excited we got at each others comments. I left going wow... that was some amazing brain power in the room and knowing full well I brought the IQ average down :) Also everyone was exceedingly well spoken (something I really want to work on... they argued points elegantly while I stumbled around issues like a boxer in the last round of a fight) I was clearly served a huge slice of humble pie and it was delicious!
I'm confident that it's going to be a great degree program and the Dean has invited us back on an ongoing basis to help shape the rest of the program.
It's so nice to have my passion for my career/art reignited.
WOOHOO BRIAN! you totally deserved to be in that room! Can't wait to see how that meeting shapes NYU's program! GO BRIAN!
Posted by: Melissa | May 17, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Go Brian! You are so perfect for this kind of stuff. I have a hard time believing you could be less eloquent than the rest of the participants in a meeting of the powerful marketing minds. You've always been a fabulous presenter and a passionate debater.
Posted by: Esther | May 21, 2008 at 10:53 PM