I said all of those things yesterday about who I am because I’ve done them all. Stand up, painted, Youtubed, wrote songs, and ETC.

I’ve done them all, but I haven’t done them all at once. CPB makes me feel like I can do all of those things at once. Because in my mind and in my soul, I can access that level of potential if given the right opportunity.

The second day was weird for everyone. I didn’t mind it. My team was expecting major guidelines and people to hold our hand. But that didn’t happen. In fact, I really liked it. But, everyone on my team wants to know how this agency creates amazing campaigns. This is a very good point. But, I am walking around and I don’t really feel any of that at all. This is a creative agency, known for its creativity. Maybe the formula is to let horses run wild and free. Have them come back to the pen for some oats, and let them run free again. Meaning, check in with the strategy team and CD’s to keep them on track. Asking those people questions may be the key to making campaigns successful here.

Do you think the ECVP, ACD, CD’s, and DVD’s (there are so many labels and titles that letters don’t make sense after a while) have time to hold our hands? No, we just need to be working our asses off and checking in to see if we are on the right track.

I don’t mind being left alone to work on a project with free reign. My preference is to ask questions if I need help. This is something I do a lot of.

Today, I met with two ACD’s and CW. I got to pick their brain on what it takes to make a good campaign, what they consider a good campaign was, how to work with art directors and strategists. I learned a lot about their process, and basically, they all said that they work as a team very well.

So, there you go. My team needs to figure out how to do this fast.

It was all good stuff that they told me.

It was interesting to see how everyone works in my group. I will see how I can figure out how to mesh with everyone slowly. For me, I like to put everything on the wall so I can brew a storm of words, so when I’m ready to concept… I’ll be prepared.

I put up research, philosophy, pictures, quotes, articles, and ETC. Whatever it takes to get things going. I encourage others to participate, as well.

What I need to know is how everyone works, and how to play to their strengths. Right now, we are in a strategic phase where the strategists need to really shine. But, as a creative, I am not going to twiddle my thumbs around and wait for strategy to tell me what to do in this setting because I can’t. There are no designated roles.  Since I’ve had a lot of experience writing briefs and working on strategy at Brainco, I am doing whatever it takes to help the strategy phase be a fruitful basis for the project.

Foreseeing this, I knew I had to come in prepared. In the past three weeks, I compiled about 300 pages of quantitative research, and today, I printed it to sift through the best information. Everything is on the walls, and I wish everyone else would put their stuff up there too.

Maybe, I need to encourage people to do so. I think I should suggest a top-five insights session, where we share what is most fascinating to ideate.

I need to come up with ways to help this team succeed, and it is so hard because I am so far out of my routine and comfort zone at this moment. I need to get used to this one hour time change and mountain climate. Even if it’s one hour, it takes me forever to adjust. I hate it. But, I get to be at CP+B so who cares.

I’ve been drinking tons of water, and working out is painful for my muscles. They like twitch and rip a lot while I’m lifting.

I also have to deal with my mental health, because if I don’t do that, then I won’t be able to give my team the best that I can provide. This is a significant worry for me because, with bipolar disorder, I have never done well living outside of Minnesota. But, this time I am going to kick ass once I get comfortable. Which will be soon. Don’t worry.

This is going to be a great experience because I am going to find my best self here, and that sense of balance will make me a great team player.

Everyone brings something to the table, and I cannot wait to concept. But, we are not even close to that yet.

Strategy, strategy, strategy.

Whatever I need to do to make the team successful.

I can’t just go off and make executions, write headlines, or concept without the strategy behind it. So, I’m doing the right thing by helping the strategy people, which I am happy to do. But, I’m more excited about concepting.

I feel like a  caged tiger, ready to attack once I’m released.

But, that wouldn’t be strategic if I released things too soon.

Right now, I am figuring out how to work well with others to make this campaign amazing. This is the first step.

Take things slowly. It’s a marathon. This is not a three-day project.

I miss my dogs and cat. I miss Vietnamese food. I wish I had a car.

But, this is a kick-ass experience, and I can’t wait to do more.

Well, time for bed.

Sweet dreams, Boulder.

Don’t let the bed bugs bite, Minneapolis.

Hug the fur babies for me, Kaley pie.

…and…

Remember,

“The Zos Knows”

-David Zosel 

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