It’s About the Hallways
Tags: Work Culture, Gtb Industry Insights, Advertising, Leadership, Agency

Scott Kavanagh, President of GTB Canada, shared thoughts on culture and opportunity in July 2016 — just a couple of months after Team Detroit, Retail First, and Blue Hive re-branded as one global entity — GTB.

To the many of you that I know, and the more that I don’t, I wanted to take a few moments to introduce myself. More importantly, I want to talk about culture and the great opportunity we have with our organization.

Having started with WPP 16 years ago as Regional Director of the New England retail business, I found myself working with a small group of people that were successful, not only because of the talents they brought to the table, but because they managed as an interdisciplinary team. No one was averse to get in the trenches and get their hands dirty. We relied on each other, trusted each other, and because we were all in it together — we focused on doing great work. Trust was at the core. Retail afforded me the opportunity to learn about the dealer business. Dealers are the ultimate entrepreneurs. Understanding them is foundational to being successful in our business.

When I got the opportunity to join the office in Detroit, first in Retail/Ford Funding and then moving to Global, I learned the importance of “walking the halls.” Though PowerPoints and good meetings have their definite place in our successes, it’s the hallways (client and agency) where relationships are built and stuff can really happen.

Our business can be stressful and can turn on a dime, but learning to operate in the grey, staying ahead of potential issues, and talking to our clients and co-workers, making sure everyone is always on the same page, is often where the finesse happens. A lot of the magic occurs in those halls. Don’t underestimate it.

Having spent the last three years at Hudson Rouge, where we were the team that was laying down the tracks of agency culture as we were revitalizing Lincoln, I’m proud that we were able to craft a boutique feel in a big business. My plan is to bring some of the same energy and approach with me to Canada. As the new President of the Toronto office, I have inherited a gifted team who has welcomed me into their culture. I aim to offer them a supportive and open environment where we can create, drive sales, and unite together in our shared purpose.

Our environment will be one where everyone can take risks, everyone respects and values the talents of each team member, and everyone has an understanding that our team will not let anyone fail. The most productive teams I have been fortunate to work on have been those whose members care for and trust each other, moving beyond work hours to truly appreciate and enjoy each other.

Advertising is a fun business. It’s a big part of why we all got into it. Working on common goals in a similar way, we can achieve great work and enjoy ourselves along the way.

Our offices run the gamut — from newly created to well established. If you’ve had the opportunity to work in more than one of them, you may have experienced the 5 at 5, Bagel Banter, or Random Acts of Vinyl etc. These small cultural nuances help us learn what makes our teams tick; what individual passions are outside of our expertise at the office. With the new GTB, we have a great opportunity to construct our collective environment. We each have this moment to choose to contribute in a unique way to the culture of our offices and the future of how we do business. Challenge yourself. What part are you going to contribute to the culture? It’s the perfect time to be exceptional. Not only at your workspace, but also in those hallways…and beyond.

Written by: Scott Kavanagh