Anne Nicholson
VP for Fun and Games, Cohn & Wolfe
Washington, D.C.
TITLE: The benefit of this distinctive title is that it allows me leeway to offer an off-beat, or wild point of view or idea. If it doesn't fly, it can be dismissed as too creative and it's not held against me. It's a license to use humor and creativity more liberally than would normally be the case.
FUN & GAMES DUTIES: Whatever I make up. And I make them up as I go. The title applies primarily to internal projects; however, it has also been applicable to some client projects - it depends on the situation and the project, and how much caffeine was in my mocha that morning.
CLIENT RESPONSE TO THE TITLE: So far the response has been very positive. Fortunately most of my clients have a good sense of humor and appreciate what it represents. Some aspire to have the same title or at least want to work in my department. It also has meant that once clients learn of my title, it signals another level of creativity they can access. Basically it signals that they are looking for something extra, out of the ordinary and we thrive on this creative challenge.
FUN & GAMES PROJECTS: Externally, I have more often provided creative counsel for particular aspects of client projects. I am often involved in creative sessions - as a participant or a facilitator - for client projects. If there is a client project that has a fun element, I usually try to work myself into that project. I am also involved in new business development, specifically presentations - I try to inject more graphics and creative visuals.
I recently worked on a pro bono project on behalf of the Washington Animal Rescue League (League). This was my "pet project." We provided strategic event development and management for their annual fundraising event to commemorate the League's 85th anniversary. We facilitated a creative session to develop a theme - "Y2K-9 Compatibility and Silicon Alley Cats." In keeping with the technology theme we had an animated electronic invitation that barked and meowed. The event featured "virtual adoptions" of the League's K-9s and cats. At the benefit, supporters scrolled through a special computer program that was developed to promote the long-term adoption of the League's harder to place dogs and cats. My favorite part was the "invisible" leashes that were given out to the first 85 people who participated in the virtual adoption program. The event was a howling success.
OTHER ROLES: I also wear other hats. In fact I have a classic Bill Murray golf hat made of astro turf with a plastic golf ball attached to the pin. In addition, I hold the more traditional title of Vice President.
BAD REACTIONS TO THE TITLE? To date, no one has been turned off - but I'm still fairly new to the position. I'm also very judicious about who I present my fun and games card to. It really depends on the situation. I have received calls from clients or my colleagues who had a project that needed a creative touch and asked me to "put on my fun and games hat."
So clients and others know that when they call the fun and games division, they are signaling that they are looking for an option that is outside the expected. We try to deliver a program or option that will get results in a creative way. Creativity is great but it needs to have a practical purpose and that's what we provide.
BACKGROUND: I've been in public affairs for the past several years, here at Cohn & Wolfe, and immediately before that, at our sister-company Burson-Marsteller. Prior to that I worked for a number of democratic candidates and organizations and a nonprofit.
(Anne Nicholson, 202/530-4573)