Month: July 2016

I was greeted by a candy cane on my keyboard this morning as it was Christmas in July. I’m quite unsure how I was so blind and only saw it on my desk and thought I was special.

Upon further inspection, everyone had one
I can’t believe its the end of my second week @ TBWA today. This week has just flown by. Timtam thinks its because I’m accustomed to the tasks now.

I learnt how to do expenses today and helped a team member claim back almost $2000 in taxi fares from working late and traveling to meetings. Wowza.

Honey’s mom baked a lovely cake for the Christmas in July event. Everyone was really busy still, pushing deadlines so I didn’t stick around for the event.

Highlight: I noticed a photobooth upstairs and asked Timtam if she could spare a couple minutes to stop time with me, but she said no sadly. With a heavy heart I packed up to leave, I was just saying goodbye to the others when Timtam zipped past me and grabbed me and said “It’s now or never!”

Thank you for immortalizing our friendship.

I haven’t had a busier morning 😮 it’s Thursday already wow, I had my time to read my news at about 10:30am due to several duties piling up from the previous day.

Note: I wasn’t slacking yesterday, the DJs team is just really hardworking and stay back often.
Usually my tasks only begin after 11 and I have 2 hours of browsing news but today was different.

A huge Australian cattle/shepherd dog cross something called Hooli is in today. HE IS SO FWUFFY. I’ve tried fervently to snap a photo of him and get a pat but he was busy attending meetings in the morning.

I succeeded finally in the afternoon, I’m sure the other departments of TBWA are amused by my constant pacing and searching for Hooli.

I realize as my days go by I have lesser to write, probably because I’m used to the work now and things I found fascinating are not so much now D:

Highlight: Today was the first time I ever saw Timtam leave the office for lunch! You go girl <3

It was ridiculously cold this morning I couldn’t take my hands out of my pockets, dearest KB spotted me and bought me a much needed Hot Chocolate to warm my insides.

Learnt more jargons of the print industry today like:

DPS is Double Page Spread though the gamer in me cannot unsee “Damage Per Second”.
VSI is Vendor Supplied Image

some other terms we use around the office like

GWP: Gift with purchase
FOS: Fixed on screen

and such.

Did routine jobs like archiving, job creating and being a runner :p

Highlight: I attended my first proper meeting today! Woohoo, and true to every stereotype, I was falling asleep. I’m going to attribute that to me getting a bad sleep last night because I’ve been so eager since Day 1 to attend a meeting!

I’m unsure where Day 7 went.. All I remember is attempting to take a bus to work instead and it didn’t go too smoothly :/

Lesson learnt.

I started my day chatting to Kitty and signing relevant papers for pay/tax/super today. As I left the third floor, Clint told me to deliver 2 gummy snakes to Gemini. Cute.

It was a pretty chill day, though I sat in during a small meeting for once. Yay!

Honey came to me after lunch and gave me a rather long pep talk about how I can achieve anything if I put my heart to it and that at TBWA I’m never alone, I will always have support. I know she’s got a disability but I don’t want to ask what, she told me today she was hired specifically because the company wanted a disabled worker. Wow, I didn’t even know that was a thing. She seems so confident, so happy, so proud of herself, she’s just a walking inspiration.

I think Honey is psychic as well, it’s so odd. She tells me I don’t have to feel like a victim or be afraid to show my creativity. It’s like she knows I’ve been bullied in school. She said its okay to be shy and one day I’ll become a rainbow, brimming with colour and everyone will see me in a different light.

Sometimes I’m not quite sure what she means but it’s really heartwarming to hear such genuine and sweet words.

Highlight: Keith barked and startled the receptionist/building manager who screamed. Literally every head stopped and turned to her. Embarrassed she stomped her feet and screamed STOP IT to the little puppy.

I still don’t see any familiar faces on my walk to work hmm.

Today Timtam allowed me to sit beside her and run through a client brief and contact the necessary people for schedules, talent images, creative spreads and such. While everything makes sense to me I didn’t know there were so many factors involved in an ad.

A complication we faced today was the “usage” of an image. So we had an ad from before and we’re updating the copy and promotions but want the same image of the product. I learnt that usage includes a timeframe and a set of media platforms it can used for.

Okok for example,

1. Photo of Guy A: To use this image I must pay Guy A
2. Famous Photographer photographs Guy A: To use this image, I must pay Photographer & Guy A
3. Famous Photographer photographs Guy A with a tattoo on his arm: To use this image, I must pay Photographer, Guy A & Tattoo artist

And all this has its “usage” which is the lifespan of this image for use, so typically I will pay $XX for 1 year of use, across Print Platforms, or $XXX for 1 year of use, across Print, OOH (Out of Home) and Digital Platforms. While images of products often have 1 year usage, images with Talent (this means models basically) usually expire after 6months.

So the little pickle we had was the product image we wanted had usage til August, BUT it had a talent demonstrating the product, so that’s expired. And to renew this usage or extend would cost a hell lot of money which would not be worth it, so we either find a new picture of do not include a picture in the ad. 🙁

How sad will that be seeing a bright ad in the papers.

Header: NEW JUST IN AT YOUR FAVOURITE STORE! BIGGER IS BETTER!

Copy: BUY ITEM A NOW, 35% OFF ! BUY 2 GET 1 FREE !

Image: N/A

T/C: Credit card promotion things, refund things etc.

bleah!

Next thing I learnt, rather interesting is some marketing basics STP, taking the example of selling $5000 Beds/Mattresses

So we have first:

1. Segmentation
   Where we group people who are likely to buy beds

• Old people with certain needs – reclining beds
• Young couples/newly weds purchasing new homes/furniture
• Families

2. Targeting
AB Men + Women 40-60 We pick 40-60 and affluent people because our beds are $5000 and have special features, now I know you’re wondering what AB is.Basically agencies classify people according to their wealth as such:
A. King/Queen
B. Dukes/Earls
C1. Upper Middleclass
C2. Lower Middleclass
D. ?
E. Living off benefits

It’s rather exaggerated, but by using AB, we mean we are targeting richie rich people.

3. Positioning
Half page ad in XYZ Magazine and GoldLife! This is where we pick the publications that our target (AB Men + Women 40-60) will likely read and come across our ad. You can also decide things like, a study shows rich people like blue things, so the ad will be printed with a blue background.

More estimates, MIs and job bags filled my afternoon. I ate wayyy too much for lunch and was just sitting uncomfortably for a long time.

Bonded with HF more today, he’s into writing as well 😀 Shared a little about myself and how I get in the position. He says this will likely open many doors for me, here’s hoping that’s true !

Timtam and Mandee were a meeting for a long long time, and I wasn’t quite sure what to do with my time this afternoon, I educated myself through feedly but there’s only so many articles I can read before my brain gets exhausted.

I finally decided to get up and talk to someone, well not just anyone, I can’t just waltz up and talk to the seniors so I picked CS, he’s young and asian, just like me XD

CS was slightly displaced over his current task as he hadn’t received one like it before. We were chatting about Singapore, and why I don’t want to go home.

Things are quite funny, I was just recounting my conversation with Mandee to CS –

me: hi Mandee, haven’t helped you today, is everything going smoothly? M: I’ve missed you, I don’t have anything for you, you don’t have to stay you know, it’s Friday, you can go out me: what you mean leave the office? M: yea sure, you can head out.

So I was whining to CS how I would be just as bored if I just went home and hes wishing he was in my position.

Mandee strides over to interrupt us and says “I know what I said, but I need you nowwwww!

Awww. So I jump up to assist her, Honey comes around and steals my line “Hey, have you got anything you need help with?”

!!!
Noooo Honey, that’s my line, don’t rob me please!

ES brought a puppy in today, just fyi, all dogs are puppies. It’s one of those small brown toy breeds with really curly fur.

And that concludes week 1 interning at TBWA

Highlight: An announcement came for all staff to attend a Facebook training session. Timtam simply brushed it off saying “I know how to post, that’s all I need!”

The clouds couldn’t decide if they could hold it in or had to burst this morning. Lucky I decided to bring an umbrella, intuition, I listened today. Curiously the first song on shuffle today was Intuition by CN blue 🙂

By the way making a conscious effort to use 🙂 smileys instead of the allegedly off putting (:

Utter nonsense.

I’m fairly certain the catalogue is due to be sent for printing today which means today should be the last hectic day and perhaps I’ll be able to grab Timtam for more office integration.

As an Asian boy held the door open for me I suddenly realized even though I take the same train and walk the same route and arrive at roughly the same time each morning i haven’t actually run into anyone on a daily basis. Hmm. Do these people not have routines?

I offered my services to HF today before I got snapped up by Mandee or Timtam. He looked rather relieved when I asked, he looked flustered and overwhelmed. When I handed some work back to him he looked like he was about to cry and said I was a hero, I guess I can begin designing a costume now. “PRODUCTION GIRL!”

Someone must have upset KB a little, I heard him swear and I offered a comforting smile. His frustration suddenly dissipated, he was ashamed and apologized profusely for swearing in front of me. I’m going to ignore the fact that he said im of a sensitive age, rather I’m going to accept his apology as it isn’t proper to swear before a lady 😀

While lamenting about my incompetence in makeup and how unattainable the looks were in the Beauty catalogue, KB mentioned he took part in an ad in the 1940s for Disney? I can’t recall. Oh my. KB is more senior than I expected.

Highlight: hm. Not sure about that today.

The sky looked at least 30 minutes late this morning. It’s scary when that happens, did all the clocks in the house conspire to trick me today? Did daylight savings or whatnot occur overnight without me realizing?

Silly me. It is Eid today, the most blessed day supposedly, I shouldn’t question the beauty of the sky today.

Honestly tho this sky. I can do ANYTHING today, it’s a sign. Inb4 I’m stuck staring my screen blankly today .

The walk to Pyrmont bridge was very efficient today. I mean, I’ve gotten used to the rhythm of the pedestrian crossing and can stride comfortably without stopping now.

I am sweating as I cross the bridge. Oh boy. I was almost going to have some variety and wear a dress today but I thought I’d be blown away. Should have trusted my intuition.

My worst fears were confirmed. I browsed feedly for 2 hours, at 11am I finally literally was given a job. I created a new job in the BBC system (God knows what that is) created a new job folder on our server and a physical job bag. Yippee!

Clients were here again.

I went to sit beside buddy KB, KB is my everything really, my mentor, my friend, my gay best friend, my imaginary dad. And I think he pitied me and taught me about proofreading.

He then suggested to the account director that I proofread and edit a catalog on my own!

“It’s boring but it’ll keep you occupied”

I never thought I’d hear such beautiful words.

Clearly I was wrong because barely 2minutes into explaining my task, I heard

“Ayeeeeeshaaa, I need you !”

The afternoon went by in a whirl.

KB remarked that I look like I know exactly what I’m doing, to which I affirmed. Yes I do know.

“You’re just about the only person here who does”

Oh KB

I actually had to stay late today. Wow.

Spoke to HF today, just curious, he’s working on a different catalogue to everyone else it seems. He’s envious that I’m in demand now and wishes he snapped me up when I was free this morning. :p

Highlight: Mandee branded me a superstar just before I left saying she wouldn’t have gotten through the day without me. I’m relevant ! I’m relevant !

It was raining this morning, I left home earlier than I needed to so I could walk at an even more leisurely pace because I’m terrified of slipping and falling. I’m puzzled how shoes work. I don’t seem to slip while walking but when I stand still and I slide my shoe along the wet ground, the grip feels nonexistent.

As I walked along Pyrmont Bridge, I observed people with their large company umbrellas. I saw the Bunnings umbrella many times, must be a good sturdy one. Most of the umbrellas are black, grey or navy. I wondered if TBWA had a company umbrella. The bridge could use some colour. It wasn’t hard for me to imagine myself brandishing a large red umbrella with a white forward slash.

Perfect.

There were scrambled eggs and cereal in the kitchen. Kat did say there would be free breakfast every morning. I spot a little brown dog this morning, I’m surprised I haven’t heard any barks or seen the dog from yesterday more than once. I hope little brown guy will come visit me.

I overheard, well it started out as overhearing but became a conversation later, Jade talking to another lady about her experience this morning. Jade isn’t on the little map Timtam drew for me so I’m unsure what department she’s in. Basically Jade was walking to her bus stop this morning and after about 10minutes she suddenly realized oh! I’m not wet. And she looks up and the gentlest of men is there beside her with a large umbrella sheltering them both. Jade starts chatting up with this amazing man and they connect instantly.

cue sizzling electricity noises

However her bus arrives and she panics and jumps on, forgetting to get his name or number or anything! Oh dear. She only knows where he works so she tells her friend she’s going to LinkedIn stalk him. That’s something I didn’t think I would hear – LinkedIn stalking ..

I giggle at her story and Jade laughs embarrassed and says hello to me. I mention I’m the new intern and she says very excitedly “Oh! I’ve heard all about you, in a meeting yesterday!”

Oh boy Timtam, what have you told and to whom?

Today’s been a much busier day, I’ve been taught to check feedback from clients on AdMation and upload new revisions.

OH ! That’s it. Cheebs reminds me of a friend I know back in briz.

We had clients in today. Isn’t it funny how when “guests” or “outsiders” from another company come they whole office has to put on their best behavior. They’re humans too, with their own offices which probably offer the very same facilities like meeting rooms and nice ergonomic furniture and naturally, refreshments. I don’t know. I don’t get it. I for one don’t expect special treatment when visiting a friend or patronizing a shop unless it’s a service like a spa or parlour then of course I’m there to be spoiled for a bit.

Gemini came to me while I was picking up some prints. Honestly I was just wondering who this lady with the wild but pretty curls was. Why was she so concerned -would you be interested in doing some research? I could organize for you to do some competitor analysis perhaps? I’ll have a think. Okay Gemini you do that and alert me at once 🙂

I learnt AdMation today where I could view client feedback and submit prints for revision and approve the studios work. Ehehe. What power !

I left earlier than day 1 today because I really was unable to help anyone 🙁 tomorrow will be better !

Highlight: An excel file got corrupted today and poor Timtam typed her media schedule several times and it wouldn’t cooperate with her and ‘kept dying’ so I redid the spreadsheet.

I recall googling this company a few weeks, completely clueless and skeptical that my father was recommending this place. I was pleasantly surprised to discover what a huge and reputable company this is.

And so, here I am, on my first day @ TBWA.

After some searching I concluded the commute I would enjoy the most would be to walk from St.James station across Pyrmont Bridge. The 30min walk (at my pace) warmed me up considerably and I enjoyed the fresh air and sights of the Darling Harbour. I think I’ll never get bored of this view. I couldn’t help but imagine this walk in Summer and how I’d probably be soaked in sweat and cursing at the sun. To be determined. I do hope I at still at TBWA in Summer.

I sat at the 3rd floor waiting to be received by the HR, I spot a little dog (I now know his name is Keith) running around the office. Oh boy, I think I’m gonna love this place.

My day begins with a tour of the office by the lovely Kitty. I’m glad to finally meet Kitty, the HR who’s been communicating with me. She’s very cute.

In her emails she mentioned that my interview was received well and everyone I met loved me! I decided not to clarify that I only met Timtam, the week before.

The first person I was introduced to was Honey~

I’m assuming she is the office manager, she pushes a trolley around with stationery and snacks and she’s very eager to assist anyone. Everyone gives Honey a big smile when they see her. Hannah gave me a hug to welcome me to the office.

Kitty then took me to lvl 2 where I would be actually working.

I was given a desk beside Anni, the senior copywriter for the David Jones Team. By the way I’m on the David Jones Team, which I will now affectionately refer to as DJ.

Kitty said sit tight I’ll get you a computer.

I sat and looked around the busy office and sure enough, Kitty came back with IT Guy hoisting a 27″ iMac and keyboard. All I could think of as he set it up was how I would ever look at my laptop screen with comfort again.

I was logged in and ready to go!

Timtam came to whisk me away to Sophia. Sophia isn’t a person, it’s a meeting room. She sketched a birds eye view of the office to explain the 4 teams in DJ. Basically a client brief is first sent to the Project Managers (I’m here!), then forwarded to the Creatives who brainstorm the photoshoot ideas and draft a spread probably. (By the way our work is designing the DJ catalogue) The Production team receives it and executes the photoshoot and finally Studio team does all the retouching and printing and publishing.

Ezpz.

My first task was to draw up estimates for hard costs which Timtam explained was not covered in TBWA-DJ’s Retainer contract. When she first mentioned a retainer agreement, I immediately thought of the situation of Rhythm & Hues going bankrupt from working on Life of Pi.

Dangerous.

Basically DJ signs an agreement that TBWA will handle their publications and content for $xx for a year. However if DJ doesn’t approve of TBWA’s proposals and work they’ll be revised and revised and revised and those incur costs. In the case of Rhythm & Hues, the retainer price was not enough to cover the demands of the movie and the vfx company was unable to pay its employees and eventually worked for free. After the movie was done, Rhythm & Hues was no more.

Sad.
But most of the world works that way it seems.

I did my estimates swiftly and was back to having nothing to do. 🙁 Curiously, Cheebs said he hadn’t done an estimate since he first started.

I made friends with KB, the proofreader. He’s a sweet guy.

I helped again later with creating an asset delivery spreadsheet which I tried to take my time to do, but still, I had too much time.

The office is too busy for me to learn right now. Timtam’s unable to show me things.

The day ended with me organising stacks of proofs for Mandee

I like this place. I like the environment, I do hope I get more work to do soon.

Timtam, the hardworker that she is emailed me at 11pm about a job for tomorrow. I replied I’ll do it first thing in the morning to which she hastily quipped oh don’t need to look at work emails at this time !

Highlight of the day: Timtam sending IT support a ticket “Please fix Ayesha’s right-click”