A Day in the Life at Mintz + Hoke: Media Edition
Our Media team strongly believes in more. More than impressions and clicks. More than negotiation. More than planners and buyers. They bring more to the table in everything they do. But what exactly does that mean? What exactly do they do, and how? We asked, and they answered for the second installment of our Day in the Life series.
First up is Lisa Geissler, Associate Media Director, who has been with Mintz + Hoke for almost seven years
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
Hah, that’s the million-dollar question. I can’t explain it well because there are so many different facets to my job. Ultimately, I use communication, experience, research, persuasiveness, media tools, problem-solving, and intuition to build a media plan for clients that is effective, efficient, and will ultimately deliver on their KPIs. I tell people it’s like building a big puzzle of words and numbers.
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
I walk every morning for an hour and listen to podcasts or talk to my college roommates who live far away doing the same thing.
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
Embrace the Gray for sure. There are so many variables in the media world, and you have to embrace the gray area. Media planning and buying is an art, not a science.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
I’ve been doing media planning and buying for over thirty years, so it would be easy to do the same thing I have always done. However, I embrace Immersively Different by never taking the easy road and always strive to create the best work I can.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
If you always ask questions and never stop learning, you will always love your job.
Where do you find inspiration?
Colleagues!
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Michelle LaPointe, Associate Media Director, and Mintz + Hoker of 17 years, walks through her day below.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
I usually ask if they have seen a television commercial for Mohegan Sun or Hartford HealthCare. When they say yes, I tell them we booked it! While there is so much more to the role, that is the ah-ha thing and I have found people going, “Oh yeah, how cool.”
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
It’s like Grand Central Station at rush hour (kidding — sort of)! Lots of activity getting the kids prepared and off to school and confirming everyone’s schedule for the day. And coffee, lots and lots of coffee!
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
I’d say Embrace the Gray. Every minute of every day is different, so you really have to be prepared for anything. That’s what makes our job and agency life so exciting!
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
I try to be curious and thoughtful in what I do. It’s really a unique perspective to “Make Media” for our clients and be a consumer of the same platforms at the same time. I think wearing those two hats helps with ideation.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Ask questions! It not only expands your overall knowledge base but helps with growth, development, and understanding.
Where do you find inspiration?
Being outside on a long walk with my dog, Annie. The ability to relax, let everything go, and have that time with no interruptions is so valuable.
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Next is Becca Sheehan, Associate Media Director, who has been with us for a little over 15 years.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
First, most people think anyone working in an ad agency is a designer or copywriter, which makes sense based on shows and movies that make it seem that way. To educate them, I say we are all creative, but my role is to get people to see, hear and experience a brand through paid media outlets like TV, Radio, OOH, digital, etc. Second to that, we measure clients’ performance to ensure these opportunities are working on their behalf based on the success metric we agree upon. And yes, I say, working in advertising, no matter what role, is as cool as it seems from the outside. :)
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
Gosh, I wish I had the patience to meditate! My first hour usually consists of looking at my schedule for the day, catching up on and responding to emails I may have missed after signing off the day prior, making sure all the animals are fed and watered so they don’t distract me, and finally, prepping my to-do list to start the day off right!
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
I can’t believe I’m saying this because it’s the value I am still somewhat scared of but Embrace the Gray. With this job, accuracy is incredibly important, so having many paths to a solution or coloring outside the lines a bit is intimidating to me. By embracing the gray, I have grown and learned a lot, which has helped me in aspects of my life, even outside of work.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
While a lot of our job is analyzing market research, I often talk to the sales community. Oftentimes the B2B space will have good relationships with our best prospects and may have been “in their world” at one point or another, so it’s always good to hear from these communities when we are trying to think of unique opportunities to serve our client’s customers. As for the consumer side, we are all consumers in life. Getting perspectives from friends, family, etc., when trying to think of different ways to connect with individuals or see how they relate to brands or messaging is always helpful for insight when planning or thinking of solutions to any challenge.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
This may be career and life advice, but never stop learning—you can learn from ANYONE. Never pretend to know it all.
Where do you find inspiration?
Get ready for a cheesy (but honest) answer—I find inspiration from our Media team and agency. In our team meetings, we share ideas and have conversations, similar to our weekly agency meetings, and it’s great to hear other perspectives and grow through sharing experiences and ideas. I also love when Ad Week and any of the trade publications showcase the “best of” for creative or media campaigns – it’s inspiring to see how other agencies respond to client or societal challenges and how I can learn/put my imprint on the learnings.
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Now hear from Penny Turton, a Media Planner who has been with us for ten years.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
I research and recommend where clients should spend their advertising budgets. Then I point out a nearby billboard.
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
I usually start by scrolling through social media, then looking at my calendar to mentally plan the day, then jot down 3 goals for myself.
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
I’m going with Inspire/Be Inspired. When I think about how I work, that is what kick-starts the ideas. The clients’ goals inspire me to find or create media activations to help them achieve and exceed their goals.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
Everything I bring to my work comes from my life experiences, and I would like to believe that allows for more unique thinking and ideas.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
You don’t have to like every part of your job, but you better love parts of it. A paycheck will not keep you motivated.
Where do you find inspiration?
I am inspired by a challenge. Either my own, my team’s, or my client’s.
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Beth Wik, Media Planner/Buyer of almost three years.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
My “elevator speech” is that I help clients strategize their paid media campaigns, and then I go buy the space.
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
During the school year, I am usually running around making sure my daughter makes it to school on time (I utter the phrase “Let’s Go” far too many times to count).
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
They all resonate, of course, but I’m always aware of Bring a Gift. I interpret it as going above and beyond—surprising our clients and partners with our knowledge and respect for their business—which continues to set us apart from other agencies. I believe that is how we at Mintz + Hoke continue to be remembered and valued by those we work with throughout many industries.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
I think just being respectful of clients’ and partners’ time, going the extra mile, and making the workday that much easier for colleagues and clients, even if it is the smallest of requests.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
When I get asked this question, I generally say: Observe (you can learn a lot by watching people in a meeting—not just those presenting), listen (not just to question or comment), ask questions, and support colleagues! You never know when you’ll need help yourself, and it’s nice to have a community of support around you.
Where do you find inspiration?
From a work perspective, my colleagues. Listening to their strategies with clients and how they’ve overcome certain challenges for their clients is inspiring. I work with very smart people.
From a life perspective, my daughter. Always. She is the smartest, funniest, sweetest, kindest human I have ever met.
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Meghan Ambrozaitis, Media Planner of three and half years, talks about a day in her life at Mintz + Hoke.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
I tell them we buy media like TV and radio spots, digital ads, etc., and create plans for clients’ annual goals and events. I usually say it’s the other math-y side of advertising and where the creative, copywriting, and digital content lives out in the world.
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
My dog is dragging me on a walk, and after coffee, he and I, sometimes in the same chair, dive into emails.
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
Embrace the gray.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
Sometimes you can get into a regular pattern, and then a media curveball comes at you, and that helps to keep us on our toes and dive into creative thinking and resolutions.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Don’t put yourself in a box. Inspiration and ideas can come from anywhere.
Where do you find inspiration?
By getting out and seeing content in real life, whether it’s at stadiums, concerts, or on trips, you start to notice all the cool ways brands integrate with life.
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Next is Amanda Skarka, Media Assistant of almost three years.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
I typically tell people I book advertising space for my clients, whether it be on billboards, online, or in magazines, you name it!
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
An hour before starting work, I like to have coffee by myself downstairs while either reading a magazine or scrolling the news. A peaceful start to my day puts me on track to embrace the work ahead.
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
Honor Respect. My role relies a lot on external media partner relationships, where a little kindness over the phone or through an email can go quite far in strengthening your connection.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
I try to dive deeper into any client deliverable instead of doing the minimum to complete the task. This usually means spending extra time on a project or sourcing better screenshots for a presentation, but the extra mile is what makes us different than the others and why clients value and trust our work.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Never stop learning.
Where do you find inspiration?
I’m inspired by my past and present co-workers—everyone brings their own spark and talent to the table, so I think it’s important to learn and grow from what they can teach you.
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Eddy Lee, Media Assistant of almost a year and a half, talks about how he’s enjoyed his time working with such a talented and tight-knit team.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
I tell them I help plan and book the ads they see and hear on television, radio, billboards along the highway, and online while they’re scrolling through their social media feeds on behalf of our clients.
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
The first hour of my day typically consists of answering any client or partner questions that come through. What I love most about my job is that it’s people-facing and that we work together to plan the best campaigns we can to achieve our desired end goals.
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
The core value I resonate the most with is Embrace the Gray. The media world is constantly changing, and we all learn new things every day. What I love most about my team is how everyone at all levels is constantly learning and sharing new tactic ideas for our clients.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
Since I’m one of the newest members of the team, I try to challenge the status quo and bring as many fresh ideas to the table as I can for our clients who we’ve had long-standing relationships with. I never want to just do what’s been done before in case there’s now a better and more efficient solution through our media efforts.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
My biggest career advice would be to be patient and kind to everyone you work with (including yourself!). Relationships are so important in this business and establishing those connections early on will help you in the long run to not only be successful but to enjoy what you do.
Where do you find inspiration?
My teammates inspire me to be a better advertiser every day. They inspire me through their thoughtful questions during partner calls, their quick-thinking skills when problems arise, or when I see them push through to make a tight deadline to get the job done.
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Last but not least, Katie Kelleher, a Media Assistant who has been on the team since May 2021.
When people from outside the advertising industry ask what you do, how do you describe your role?
I tell them I work at a full-service ad agency, but more specifically in the Paid Media department. Then I explain that my department strategizes, plans, and works with vendors to buy TV & radio spots, digital banners, social media spots, etc. We decide the where and the when to market our client’s products/services.
I tell them how we use audience targeting technology and market research to help inform our decisions. I love talking about my work with Mohegan because entertainment is a fun space to be in. It’s a more relatable part of the job when I tell people that I help decide which radio and tv stations to run concert promotions on for ticket giveaways and events.
What does the first hour of your day typically consist of? Are you reading the news, meditating, journaling, etc.?
I start with stretching and meditating in bed, then I let the dogs out, wander outside to check on my bunnies, get my Kickstart (caffeine) and mentally wake up a bit.
Out of all the Mintz + Hoke core values—Inspire/Be Inspired, Embrace the Gray, Always Bring a Gift, Honor Respect, and Own It—which one resonates with you the most and why?
Inspire/Be Inspired. I’m a naturally curious person, so I find this to be a value that really resonates with me since I’m always asking questions about this or that, and I love checking out what other people are doing for my own inspiration. It’s also extremely flattering when someone tells me that something I’ve done has inspired them.
How do you embrace our Immersively Different philosophy in your day-to-day efforts?
I try to really understand our clients and what they are all about to help make more informed decisions about where to market their products and services. I gather as much background info and insights into their business as I can.
If you could give one piece of career advice, what would it be?
Keep looking until you find a place that cares about their employees and you feel comfortable and happy there. You’re going to spend a large portion of your adult life working, so it’s important to feel alive in your job and not just like you’re punching a clock to pay the bills.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere. I know that’s incredibly vague, but it’s true. I love checking out other artists’ work (pottery), I see a lot of beauty in nature, and I might see something in a TV show or even a commercial that I find interesting that leads me to brainstorm other ideas. Sometimes I have random dreams that are inspiring, or I get inspired by something someone says.
Thanks to the Media team for showing us a glimpse of their workday! Next up, a Day in the Life of our Administrative team.
