Jo Whiteley is a Creative Director at IF agency.
Based in Altrincham, the integrated agency was founded in 2006 by Christian James and Brian Rees. Since joining the agency in 2007, she works with numerous brands including Marston’s, Knowsley Safari, Destinology, The Original Factory Shop and Zentia.
Here, Jo shared how a recent week in her life went…
Monday
Before I start – you should know, this is an honest account of my life. I have not dressed it up to appear smarter, more ‘interesting’ or give the impression ‘I’ve got this’.
I started the week with Mum guilt. Yep, it’s Halloween and I’m working NOT Trick or Treating! 12 WhatsApp messages later, I have a solution so my son doesn’t miss the fun! Today I’m in the office. Having had a few days off I’m greeted by over 100 emails – perfect! Turns out most just needed deleting, so by lunchtime I’m on top of emails, I’ve caught up on what I’ve missed and have a priority list for the rest of the day.
Cloud nine?? Oh not so fast. My son has been collected by a friend and is part of the action however, it’s pi***ng down now and … he left his coat at school. Dancing in the rain was fun at the time, now he’s freezing! So that leaves me having to squeeze some un-planned parenting into my already tight schedule.
Tuesday
I get up early to review some creative I didn’t get to yesterday and thankfully it was worth getting up for. Great idea, beautifully executed, all it needed from me was a few copy tweaks and a suggestion as to how we’d improve engagement on a couple of the campaign assets. Magic.
The school run beckons next. I walk most days, not because I have loads of time on my hands, but because it’s good exercise and a chance to shoot the breeze. On the way back (phone always on silent!) I am at my absolute best; here or the shower is where the good stuff often happens. I consistently solve problems, come up with ideas and get the ball rolling – by the time I get to the agency I’ve done a days work.
Today was one of those days, bursting with ideas I sit down to a well-earned brew. My day is fairly fast paced from here on in. I find most weeks I have at least one or two days where I’m back to back – feeding into creative briefs, reviewing concepts, zoom presentations etc. I love it when you get to the end of the day feeling you’ve made a difference, had a positive impact – the team around you are motivated and confidently going about their daily business.
We also have an all agency update on Tuesday, it’s usually just a round-up of what’s happened the week before, what’s going on in the week ahead, an opportunity to share ideas, showcase creative, new business updates etc. It’s great, particularly with hybrid working.
This week however – it was a lunch and learn session, with Jake taking us on his journey of discovery into the world of AI. Undeniably fascinating. Last couple of hours of the day – head down, finalising presentations and writing notes for tomorrow’s meeting… to be honest, the hard lifting was done on this last week, but the day before is when we all start sense checking, challenging each other, getting our thoughts together sharing opinions / concerns etc. and we’re ready.
Or as ready as we’ll ever be. Just in time for a six o’clock interview.
Wednesday
Today I spend too long in the car. That said, I thrive on face to face, particularly creative presentations. Yes, yes, we’ve all heard of Teams – but honestly, there is nothing better than an adrenaline fuelled, passionate creative presentation to get the heart racing and the client team fired up.
I won’t lie, I get an immense sense of achievement in seeing a room full of people who arrive with the world on their shoulders and leave with a spring in their step. This meeting however, was more of a meet new partners, a round up from the last 12 months and it was fascinating. Great chemistry in the room and some interesting creative and strategic challenges on the horizon.
Next up – drive to Gateshead in time for tomorrows immersion session.
