There are few constants in my life – my family, my husband and my two 4-legged children. But there has always been a secret love: life in an advertising agency.

Over the last 20 years, I have always had a not-so-secret relationship with advertising. I have either worked for an agency or had one as a client. The result: I bring a unique perspective to every client I work with. Because I have been a client.

I understand limited budgets, demanding “big bosses” and the need for an AE (or “account executive” for you new to the business) who will – in the words of The Devil Wears Prada (a must view, BTW) – make the impossible, possible.

I have been spoiled for the last decade sitting in the client chair, picking up the phone at a moment’s notice for website updates that were needed yesterday, clamoring for an agency’s creative genius to take my inkling of an idea to the stratosphere, and listening when I was told I did NOT need to spend money.

That’s probably one of my favorite parts of being an AE. My job is not to make you, as a client, spend money. My job is to understand what you are trying to accomplish and put your money to its best use.

That’s why The Focus Group has been so successful working with a range of clients, from those with limited budgets to those with marketing plans that make you swoon. The secret to producing amazing work and delivering the best service are the following universal truths:

• Clients are always right (Well, most of the time…).
• Creatives can always be bribed with food.
• Techies are people too. They just sometimes speak in code.
• No, 10:45 p.m. is not too late to take a call or respond to an urgent email.
• Awards are nice, but knowing you make a client look like a rock star in front of his or her bosses is priceless.
• Being anal-retentive is a compliment.
• Working with insanely talented people is…humbling…on so many occasions.
• Finally, you are always in pursuit of that next BIG account and ways you can top your last campaign.

Given the choice of being an AE or a client right now, I’d take AE any day. My morning can start with banking and end with a restaurant promotion. I can go from photo shoots to learning about some cool trend in social media. But the best part is leaving a conference room knowing our team nailed a concept and practically counting down the moments until you can present the ideas to your client.

Brynn Joachim
Account Executive