Kara Levy and Glenn Kisela have been learning the ins and outs of agency life through the Ogilvy Graduate Programme (OGP). Our last check in with them was in April. Find out what life has been like at the Big O.
KARA:
Q: The last time we checked in you were leaving Account Management and heading to OgilvyOne (OO). Name one high and one low from your time at OO.
High note: There were so many! On a light note, sharing a desk with Claire and having some bonding time (we made a ‘your side/my side line’) and took it very seriously. Another high was actually working on a Sunday with a colleague from another agency putting a strat together for a presentation that was due to be presented on the Tuesday morning – that moment when things start to come together and a strong story and argument is built succinctly is so rewarding.
Low note: This is tough – there weren’t many lows, but if I had to say something it was probably having a mild panic attack when I realized I hadn’t ordered enough Lego for one of the workshops we were running and I had to get it couriered to my house – yes, we use Lego for workshops.
Q: You’re in Ogilvy PR (OPR) now. How has travelling through all these departments opened your eyes to what agency life is like?
I guess it has shown me how every department is able to function as a mini-agency on its own, but how important it is for all the departments to work together because everyone has such niche knowledge and skills.
Q: What are your plans after OPR?
I am planning on making my way back up to the 6th floor, to do some time in ATL strategy. It will be interesting because I have worked my way from very specific digital strategy, to a bit more of a broader perspective in PR strategy and I will end off with time looking at things from a very top line perspective.
Q: If you had to create an agency survival kit for an OGP, what would you include?
- A notebook: Chris Rawlinson told me something really interesting in one of my first months at the agency, he said that you always have your best ideas in your first/first few years of working, so I always write down new ideas when they come to me and hopefully I’ll be able to implement them at some point.
- Earphones: These serve more than one purpose, they are the ultimate “do not disturb” signal and they save you from the questionable music that sometimes comes out of the buzz
- Flash drive: As you are working on presentations and with different people all the time, a well organised flash stick is a must have
- Comfy shoes: people underestimate the amount of stair running that gets done in this building, and being looked down upon for taking the lift two floors is a real thing
- Coffee/identify a good coffee spot: this is the 9 o’clock turbo fuel injection – make sure it’s good
- Minimal desk decoration: as you move around a lot (I am on my 6th desk), you must have desk decoration that is easily movable and not much of it.
Q: Who is your “ad-crush” and why?
The people at Ogilvy Brasil who made an advert called “immortal fans” for Sport Club Recife. That advert was a large contributor to me wanting to get into advertising. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8GFcAlWhBM
GLENN:
Q: You’ve been with Ogilvy PR (OPR) for about 6 months now. What have you been up to?
PR has been a whirlwind ride. It’s hard to put into words really. I’ve been involved in everything from setting up a newsroom for the agency to creating campaigns for various brands. Creating social content to doing fashion photo-shoots. It has been an incredible experience working in a place where I never actually know what each day is going to bring.
Q: If you could create an OPR survival kit, which 5 items would you include?
- A bottle of Jameson to help you get through the late nights
- A book that taught you a sense of humour in case you lack it
- A music playlist that only featured Drake because obviously
- A 4 pack of Red Bull because sometimes the world of PR moves too fast
- Lastly, a dictionary because typos in our world means death.
Q: Who is your “ad-crush” and why?
It’s not Brittney Kok because she’s the worst.
Q: During your 6 months, name one high and one low while being at OPR.
A high would be winning the Times Creative Challenge, definitely. A low would be a particularly frustrating client presentation.
Q: How much caffeine do you need to get through a typical day?
2 cups a day. Excluding my daily Red Bull.
