The AdNews Challenge has taught TMS chief exec, Chris Mort, something important: you just can't say no to James Yaffa. And he's not even competing. But his staff are...
There are 7 words that I hope to never hear for a while –
”It’s James Yaffa on the phone again!”
He is one very persistent guy – and a very good salesman.
He did it – he actually bludgeoned me into agreeing to have the company enter this year’s AdNews Challenge – not that we don’t like “giving” to a good cause – it’s just that the Challenge is….I don’t know…hard work….
Ok then – the next challenge for me was to work out how I could get a team together without me being in it.
Bribery perhaps – it has worked in the past – but cuts into the margin.
Threats - they’ve worked in the past – but not good for morale.
Reverse Psychology – yes that’s it - agency people fall for it every time.
So I wandered around the place pointing out to anyone who looked a likely race team prospect that they might want to think about exercising a little before work, ease up on the cream buns and maybe cut back on the booze a fraction.
This coupled with strategically placed AdNews Challenge hints around the agency from posters in every room, screen saver messages, little reminders in payroll slips and of course discrete messages in the restrooms.
It worked!
TMS has now got 3 teams entered – and I’m not even in one!
Now none of the above is actually true – except for the bit about James Yaffa hounding me – and he is very good at it.
But it is very interesting to see what happens when a group of people join together to take up a challenge like this. It’s by no means the first time they’ve done it and done it with gusto – but you see another side to them.
The competitiveness from within comes to the surface – very strongly.
We have team members who would make anyone proud –
The Sarge, The Beast, The Whisperer, The Yapster, The Argie, The Shimmy – as well as Sneaky, Bouncy, Leprechaun, Noisy and others.
They’ve absolutely thrown themselves into the Challenge in a way that even makes me feel slightly bad about not entering…..slightly.
So even though we work in a leafy suburban area – you can be sure these local warriors intend to wear the TMS logo proudly as they surge to victory on the day.
And they should all know that I’ll be right there with them – in spirit.
Thanks again James.
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Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.