The year 2002 is finally here—so with hope and idealism, we as a business community plow forward. Though our economy is threatened and our security has been undermined, we look to the year ahead with optimism that our industry will recover. That our colleagues and friends who are out of work will find jobs. That those who lost loved ones in the attack on Sept. 11 have found some solace amongst family and friends, and have begun to strengthen and rebuild.
For me the new year has been the reminder of the small community that is the business in which we all work—a community wherein we feel lucky that we are paid to express, support and execute other’s creative inspirations, as well as our own.
In this industry, we spend countless hours working with other people in order to create a story, send a message and evoke an emotion. Like others our business is now challenged, and will continue to be challenged, by economic deceleration, the war today and the threat of war to come.
Yet I have witnessed a gathering within our creative community that has brought forth the best in human nature. The workplace has become a site where people gather to create, inspire and, in effect, say, "I am here for you." This is how our business has been for me—a place where the lines between competitor and ally are blurred by the desire to help and collaborate.
Sometimes tragedy leads to a community built only on immediate necessity, but I believe our community will continue. Perhaps on some level the rash of company consolidations that has taken place over the past five years has, together with the tragedy, created an opportunity to reflect on whom we want to share time with, and on how we can create something as a whole. Yes, the economics have changed and we have been asked to do more work for less money—but still we get to create, collaborate and support a story, a message and a feeling that we can all view and share. Sometimes it’s the simple fulfillment gained by seeing a commercial on TV and being able to say, "You know—I worked on that spot!"
In our business we all have had an opportunity to affect so many with the images and ideas that we create, and to interact during the time shared with others as we work. We are the creative community. Our images, stories and messages touch many people, inherently creating a sense of belonging.
We will continue to gather together to form ideas and images that arouse sadness, joy, hope, celebration and laughter. In doing so we’ll share time and a part of ourselves, a reminiscence and a meal. We as an industry have always pulled through in challenging times, and have been a part of encouraging hope in the face of pessimism, unity in times of isolation and joy in times of sorrow. The coming year will give us more of these important opportunities, and I firmly believe that we as a community shall prevail; our humanity will emerge. In a small community that spans a nation, it’s good to know that we can count on each other.
