December has a way of sneaking up on us, and with it comes the inevitable race to tie everything up in a neat bow before the new year. To me it seems like a chaotic blend of personal and professional commitments. Kids are writing exams, doing final concerts and looking for that textbook that last made an appearance in the June exams. Briefs are all due yesterday, media channels are booking out and my ability to swipe the alarm screen at 5 AM is rapidly diminishing. Oh yes, did I mention the festive décor that was already up in September driving my gift anxiety?
STOP
I think it is important to acknowledge the common feeling many of us have as the year winds down (read up). I see it with our Team at MediaHeads 360 who are pushing to deliver those final campaigns, conceptualising solutions and speaking to media partners to find the best airtime solutions. I think it’s fair to stop for a moment and acknowledge that the year has been one of epic proportions. For MediaHeads 360 we’ve undergone change to ensure relevance for clients and platforms. We’ve expanded our team.Created opportunity and streamlined elements in our processes and business for efficiency, clarity and value.
I’m pleased to report that we failed in some areas and succeeded in others, both equally important in delivering the campaign magic that our clients love. Seeing this “magic” unfold reminds me that this time of year isn’t a “get through it” moment; it’s an opportunity to remember why we do what we do and how we can support colleagues and clients to be on-brief!
Take an opportunity to stop, even if for an hour and look how far you’ve come this year alone. Let your team do the same. Maybe it’s a burger break or some dirty chai-lattes to start the day, but take a moment to pause, to press stop and to reflect.
COLLABORATE
We can’t do it alone. At this time of year, attention and effort are just as important as ever, if not more so. Each piece of work delivered reflects your brand, your values, and your dedication to your own magic formula. For us it’s our collaborative approach that drives creativity and innovation. Collaboration between creatives and campaign managers drive impactful campaigns and promotions. Friction is a natural by-product of strong teams, if there is no friction, there’s no magic. As much as it pains me, I’m not right all the time, and the ability to “check yourself, before you wreck yourself” is key in building team resilience. Allow people to do what they do best, equip them with the tools and environment to foster collaboration. Let the Creative, create. The Producer, produce and the Campaign Manager, manage.
I think it’s important for teams to self-reflect and adjust accordingly. Allowing the space for this to happen is the collaboration that drives success. Individual excellence on its’ own is important but collaboration is the cauldron where the magic is brewed!
LISTEN
This seems obvious, but in the noise and the clutter of a day or a week, do we spend enough time listening? It’s the conversation at the coffee machine, walking to the car park and the short discussion before a meeting starts that allows you to listen. Pick up cues from colleagues by actively listening to their updates. Too often I find myself furiously typing away or reading an e-mail in a meeting. Stop. How will you collaborate if you’re not listening? It’s equally important that when you have an opportunity to speak in a meeting, a brainstorm or a catch-up that you are prepared. Value people’s time and share relevant information timeously. Effective collaboration is built on effective communication. Sometimes an e-mail is a good way to map out a plan or a request, sometimes an e-mail should be a conversation, or a short call.
Ultimately, campaigns communicate with consumers. As a business built on campaigns, communication is a key driver in our process and good communication is intentional. Be more intentional.
FOCUS
Despite the pressure that the year-end season brings, it is also an opportunity to focus on what will make 2025 an excellent year. During the year one is always reviewing, researching, re-inventing and considering revenue. We need to look at what do we repeat and what do we retire. I’m looking forward to mapping out our wild adventures with the MediaHeads 360 Team later this week. We love the work that we do on radio and in the audio space. From drama’s to integrated campaigns, we are all things audio and will continue to turn up the radio! Television is part of our core offering and we’re looking forward to amazing shows and content in the new year.
Our focus remains on delivering exceptional campaigns that drive awareness, revenue and engagement. Our rockstar team will be reloading for the last part of 2024 and fine tuning our focus for 2025. We look forward to conceptualising, creating and amplifying your next campaign, but till then, Stop, Collaborate and Listen.