Good Ol’ Fashion Collaboration

I think I speak for everyone when I say some of the most fun we have around here is getting together and throwing around ideas. Brainstorming meetings not only produce great ideas, but also laughs and a genuine good time.

This is the final product of a deliverable to a client. Throughout our brainstorming session the theme evolved from a literal state of Texas to organic and locally produced products, complete with a menu of services.

This fresh - ha, get it?- idea was a true team effort, and it photographed beautifully.

~Kristin

So in my first post on the blog (pressure is on) I wanted to look at one of my favorite aspects of working in the advertising industry – the advertising agency culture. Working in this field you are surrounded by bright, energetic, talented individuals who are constantly trying to solve problems in a creative way. You are encouraged to dream big and yet the smallest idea might be the key component to success for your clients. So brainstorming and ideation is a must. That being said, agencies go to great lengths to ensure their employees have the optimal environment to grow their ideas. This includes everything from having open floor plans to encourage collaboration, keeping snacks on hand for brainpower, alcohol in the fridge to take the edge off of looming deadlines and off-site activities for team building. Our industry is charged with coming up with big ideas at a furious pace and it is not an environment well suited for everyone – but those who do thrive in this kind of culture tend to embrace the challenges and love the journey.

Ad Age has recently posted the Best Places to Work in 2011 and although Schaefer Advertising wasn’t one of them (we didn’t put our name in the hat, because we didn’t qualify due to our size) it is obvious that our agency embodies many of the characteristics of the winners. Check out some of the employee confessionals from the winning agencies here, I have no doubt that one day Schaefer Advertising will join the ranks of Best Places to Work by Ad Age. Stay tuned.

Nick