New week, new beginnings

So my first week as a Big Cat has come to an end, and my god what a week its been.

I’ve pitched for new business, posed with dead bodies, met Birmingham City Football Club (well the youth team anyway) and walked arm in arm around Digbeth with Su Pollard, all in the space of five days.

I suppose I better go back to the beginning though for those of you who don’t follow me on twitter or Facebook. As of Monday 16th November 2009, I am no longer a Seal, but rather a Big Cat. I’m not sure what it is about working for companies named after animals but there seems to be a pattern emerging.

After a glorious week and a half off, full of relaxing, shopping, coffee and DJ hero I was ready for anything life threw at me…and my god it was thrown at me.

Monday morning came, and I nervously made my way to Griffin House. From the minute I walked into the Big Cat office I was made to feel like one of the family. Greeted with open arms (and a number of handshakes), I was shown around the office and then to my desk. First think I did at my desk though was get the Flash out as the last occupant had left it rather grimey (not sure how that’s possible on a black desk).

Within an hour I was told I would be going to my first client meeting at Bournville College, straight away thrown in the deep end, which is what I love…no pussy footing around. Meeting went incredibly well and we came back with a PR brief which is a great start to a Monday.

Tuesday gave me chance to get my head around the accounts I’m going to be working and there are certainly some interesting ones in there including Bodies Revealed, Funworld and the Innovation Advisory Service (it’s a lot more interesting than it sounds).

Wednesday saw my first official visit to Bodies Revealed at the Custard Factory. The PR team had organised for the youth team of Birmingham City Football Club to come down and see the exhibit. It was mine and my account manager Natalie’s  job to ensure it all ran smoothly, which I’m glad to say it did. We went round with our photographer who got some amazing shots and were also accompanied by Tim from the Birmingham Mail’s picture desk. Fingers crossed we get some coverage from it.

Thursday has to be my favourite day of the week. I was given the honor and privilege to meet non-other than Hi-de-hi legend, Su Pollard.

At 4:00pm I received a phone call for the Custard Factory saying that Su had turned up out of the blue, so what did I do…I threw everything into my bag, grabbed my camera and made a mad dash for Digbeth. I arrived looking wind swept and slightly out of breath. I introduced myself to Su who proceeded to hug me, kiss me and then run her fingers through my hair only to say “Oooo Jedward doo”. In my defence I’d like to say I did not intentionally style my hair like that and that in fact it was the wind.

For the next hour I followed Miss Pollard around the exhibit, listening to her quirky comments and getting into a debate about God vs Darwin…always a no-no, none the less we emerged from the discussion friends. She even invited me and the other half out for a drink whilst she’s in Birmingham.

Some people may think that Su Pollard is a bit of an odd ball, but I strongly beg to differ. She walked around the exhibit with an air of childhood innocence (amongst all the inappropriate and if not slightly embarrassing jokes).  She asks questions that adults would never dare ask but all secretly wonder about. It really was an eye-opening experience.

And here we are, Friday evening. I wasn’t lying when I said it was a busy one. I’ve had a fantastic week though and can’t wait for next weeks. But first I think I’ll enjoy the weekend with the hubby and a bottle of wine…think I deserve it.

~ by Chris Brown on November 20, 2009.