The production manager controlled all outside services purchased by the agency, such as soliciting and selecting bids on all printing jobs, typesetting and photography. As well, he had control over all purchases by the advertising staff. The outgoing production manager would barely speak to me at first and always seemed to be on the edge of tears. Finallly she told me the job was really just trying to keep the agency's staff and vendors from fighting and blaming each other. She was an emotional wreak. I could see what she was talking about. As a printer years earlier, ad agencies were the printer's worst clients. Agencies were demanding, never providing material on time, and constantly changing element's of a job as it was in process. I immediatly initiated a new policy at this agency, once a bid had been accepted, a job schedule would be drawn up for each job and both the agency and the vendor had to sign off on it.
As was usual, the art directors were blaming the printers for late or incorrectly printed jobs. I would go to the printer and discuss with them the job history in relation to the mutually agreed schedules. The printers would show me where materials arrived late, were revised, etc. I had hard documentation and went to Agency management to show who was really at fault. At this job, as well, I had already started making enemies. Agency management had me expand this job tracking system to other types of vendors.
My three month trial period passed, and I was put on permanant status. Once this happened, I started looking in terms of automating some elements of the operation. My basic concept wasn't to automate the production of the artwork or the creative process, but enhancing the exchange and development of ideas, and tracking this process for billing and performance purposes. The President liked this beginning and told me to proceed. To start building a model, I needed fully documented projects, from beginning to end. I start purusing closed project files in the bookeeping department. The Vice President of the Agency, my friend's partner and the Agency's Accountant, complained. I asked them how could I do my job if I didn't have history to work with. The VP said sticking my nose into her business wasn't my job. The President of the Agensy, the Vp and myself had a meeting outlining the parameters under which I had access to the project files. Also, they told me there was an agency wide pay cut and, as I had new responcibilities, I would be under another 3 month trial term. Like many others on the staff, I refused the offer and left the Agency.
