1) It’s been bubbling up for a few years, but diversity became a big topic of 2016 for our industry. I mean, it was that way in the larger world, too. The Black Lives Matter movement, the first female national party candidate for President…these are powerful forces that asked us to look in the mirror and check how we were doing, too. And I’m really excited with how we are finally responding. We work in a creative field, and our life experiences help determine our end product. There are so many benefits of having a multitude of diverse voices on your staff, especially when you consider that our job is to communicate to audiences in a way that truly resonates. It doesn’t hurt that clients are asking for diversity, too. In fact, we were so impressed with the way General Mills ran their pitch. By making agencies cognizant and accountable for having a diverse staff, they were truly able to create change…which is a change that will in turn impact THEIR business for the better.
2) We just started, so the best part is, we get to build it the way we want to! We’re beginning by hiring the talent that really excites us. Turns out those people don’t look alike, sound alike, or think alike. Some of them come from our industry, others have never done an ad job before. We’re also hiring a lot of hybrids. People that may be frustrated by being forced to wear just one hat at a more traditional agency. At Joan, these people like to have room to play across the boundaries. You’re a creative who digs strategy? Awesome. You live in data, but you also have some great creative ideas? We’re listening. You’re a strategist, but you have killer taste and want to help decorate our office? Hot damn. Get after it. Nobody does one thing anymore. I don’t think they ever did. We shouldn’t structure our agencies that way.
3) Well, I have to say the founding of Joan. It was a great leap and so obviously a little scary, but Lisa [Clunie] and I are so proud of what the agency is becoming. We have amazing brains on our staff, and they come in the bodies of amazing humans. Creating our first work for our fantastic clients has been such a thrill. And the development of our agency philosophy and brand has been probably the best creative project ever.
4) I don’t know. Let’s start to play and find out!
