storyboards all day today for our commercial presentation Monday.” Hunter straightened. “He can’t lose four hours today to a billboard. We’re already behind trying to get this commercial figured out.”
“Billboard takes priority. There’s a deadline we can’t miss with the printer. A rush job penalty is not going to make anybody happy. This has to be at the printer Monday. If your other stuff also needs to be done Monday, come in on the weekend. Understood?”
They both nodded. “Got it,” Isaiah mumbled.
“You guys always come through.” She softened her tone. “Is there anything we can help you with?”
“Uh. No.”
“Well, let us know if there is. Anything. I’m counting on you and I know you can deliver.” She paused. “Also, when one of the media buyers reminds you of a deadline that she is going to be held accountable for and have to deal with, you don’t just ignore her.”
“Right. Sorry.”
Sloane led the way to Noah’s office. She filled him in on the problem and what had just occurred. “Did you give them enough time to do the job?” she asked directly.
Noah rubbed his chin. “Yeah. I think I did. Maybe. Khadim was pushing hard.”
“Maybe you need to monitor their work a little more closely. Remind them of their deadlines. Isaiah didn’t seem to think this was a priority. He basically ignored Bailey when she tried to talk to him about it. Bailey will be checking with them Monday morning.”
“You know billboards aren’t a priority to them.”
“They are to the media people. And the client.” She lifted one eyebrow at him.
He sighed. “Yeah, I know. They just get busy with other shit and put the billboards off and end up scrambling. I’ll be on them.”
She led Bailey back to her own office.
“Thank you, Sloane.” Admiration shone in Bailey’s brown eyes. “I want to be you when I grow up.”
Sloane laughed and took a seat. “Okay, Monday morning, let me know what happens.”
“I will.” Bailey hesitated. “Why wouldn’t they listen to me?”
Sloane huffed out a breath. “This is a tough business for women, not gonna lie. It takes time to earn their respect. You’re doing the right things, Bailey. You work hard and do a great job.”
“Thank you.” Bailey’s gratitude was clearly heartfelt.
“Be patient, Bailey. You’re young. You need experience.”
Bailey smiled and nodded. “Thanks again.”
Sloane wished she’d had someone who’d helped her out when she started her career. Bailey was a smart girl but it never hurt to have a little assistance along the way.
Friday was Levi’s birthday. Nobody at Huxworth Packard knew that. But there was a bunch of red balloons tied to his chair when he got to his office, one of them a Mylar balloon that said Happy Birthday! He paused, studying them.
It had to have been Sloane.
“What the hell are those for?” Scott walked into his office. “Is it your birthday?”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, happy birthday, man.”
“Thanks.”
“Got big plans for tonight?”
“Yeah.” Levi sat. “Going out with friends.” And Sloane. “To Studio V.”
It didn’t take long for others to notice the balloons and come over to wish him a happy birthday, and the other creatives even took him out for lunch. Over the weeks he’d been there they’d finally stopped tormenting him and seemed to accept him. Maybe even…like him.
He hadn’t seen much of Sloane the last couple of days. She’d been super busy dealing with a major PR crisis. Drew Burney, NFL quarterback and star of one of Verhoeven’s big advertising campaigns including TV, print and web, had been arrested Wednesday night for driving under the influence.
Needless to say, this was not great for a beer spokesperson.
Levi’d been busy too, with that looming deadline for the Cerone campaign. He was going to take Friday night off, since it was his birthday, but he and Scott were going to be working this weekend.
Yesterday afternoon, the breakthrough he’d been waiting for happened. His mind had gone back to the first brainstorming session he and Scott had had, the things they’d talked about, and the idea that had been hovering at the edges of his mind suddenly materialized. Fuck! It was genius!
“Okay. Think Amazing Race,” Levi said. “Our man travels around the world competing with other guys in all kinds of challenges—physical and daring challenges, but they have to find clues. Women are watching him and cheering him on and of course he’s the winner at the end and celebrates with a beer. And a woman.” He grinned.
“Around the world’s not gonna fit in our budget,” Scott said slowly. “Just saying.”