1) With director-agency interactions decreasing during the bidding process, I would advise any new director to find ways to put a face to the name. Sometimes a director gets one briefing call and that’s it. This could be attending a screening at the agency, or submitting a video treatment including the director describing ideas, or even presenting the treatment in person. A social media presence can also help give the agency an alternative eye to the director’s style.
2) Producers are the hub of a project, with equal parts tenacity and diplomacy. A producer should befriend each player and learn what it takes to make them successful: creatives, account, directors - everyone. The best way to do this is to collaborate in-person as much as possible. A producer then will have the ability to adapt for different personalities with ease, and can find ways to quickly work through any situation.