Describe your greatest professional achievement and how you added value to your organization?

My greatest professional achievement was winning a new business pitch while working as an Account Executive at James Mickey. I had recently moved into the Business Development department and was still accumulating new skills for researching and developing a pitch.

Typically a new business pitch is managed by an SVP, who was four levels above me. However, at the time of this particular pitch, an SVP was not available and I was informed I would have the sole responsibility for managing this pitch without any upper level support. This was atypical for someone at my level as it was a large undertaking that required familiarity with both the process and, most importantly, best practices for presenting a successful and winning pitch. However, I assumed the responsibility, learning the process as I went along.

My role was to make certain that all deliverables were accounted for and happening on schedule. I led the entire process including managing timelines, scheduling rehearsal presentations, and creating the presentation, which were essential elements of a successful pitch. I also coordinated amongst all departments to facilitate the delivery of pitch materials, requested additional assistance when needed, and communicated directly with the prospective clients. Additionally, I created case studies of previous campaigns to share with the clients during the pitch process and to have for future reference at the company. Creating case studies meant writing a captivating story to set up the problem and solution with emphasis on both the creative and business results, requiring me to think both analytically and creatively. Furthermore, I extensively researched the sector, compiled a brief on the current state of the category, and analyzed the advertising and positioning of the competitive set. This was crucial not only for formulating our creative strategy but also supporting our recommendations and ideas. Lastly, I created a cohesive team unit, working hard to accommodate all perspectives, as I knew that presenting a unified front to the prospective clients was the key to success.

Under my leadership, the team successfully pitched and won the business. This significantly increased Mickey’s revenue by approximately $10-25MM at a time when the company had just lost a number of accounts and fees. Morale at the company was also boosted when news of the win was delivered. Most importantly, I kept my track record for new business wins at 2-0 in just six months as a Business Development Account Executive.