第十二课:The Account Person
Personal Qualities
-Passion
-Professionalism
-Resilience
-Team Spirit
-Flexibility
Common Qualities
-Communication Skills
-Organization Skills
-Understanding of Clients Business
-Listening Skills
Important Qualities
Basic
-Organization Skills
-Communication Skills
-Proactive/Initiative
-Understanding of Advertising Process
-Understanding of Clients Business
-Service Orientation
Leading
-Business Leadership/Management Skills
-Team Leadership/Management Skills
-Communication Skills
-Strategic Skills
-Understanding of Clients Business
-Organization Skills
Role of Junior Account Management
-Understanding of advertising procedures
-Attention to detail/accuracy
-Service/“Can Do“ mentality
-Ability to follow through
-Eagerness to learn/ask
-Questions
-Proactive/Initiative
Role of Senior Account Management
-Strategic skills - ability to see the big picture
-Business leadership/management skills
-Team leadership/management skills
-Financial management skills
With all the skills mentioned, what is expected from us?
-To manage the clients needs
-To manage the agency“s needs with the client
-To maintain/raise service standards
-To understand client“s business
-To develop relationships with Clients
-To develop strategic directions
-Co-ordinate details and administration
-Exceed client expectations with initiative
-Manage account financials
-Inform client of competitive activity
-Manage integrated agency resources
-Manage and co-ordinate the team/the process
第十五课:Market Research (I)
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING MARKET RESEARCH?
Marketing Research is a function…
· Which links the consumer, customer, and publics to the market through information – information used to identify and define marketing opportunities and problems;
· Generate, refine, and evaluate marketing actions;
· Monitor marketing performance;
· And improve understanding of marketing as a process.
But how do Market Research address these issues?
Marketing Research…
· Specifies the information required to address these issues;
· Designs the relevant method for collecting the information required;
· Manages and implements the data collection process;
· Analyzes the results;
· And communicates the findings and their implications in the most objective way.
WHY IS MARKET RESEARCH REQUIRED?
Without Market Research…
… it is a one-way communication to consumers which can lead to brand failures.
With Market Research…
… it is a two-way communication and the benefits are:
· A better understanding towards consumers
· Obtain consumers feedback on their wants and needs
· Can improve product or create new product to feel the niche
WHEN IS MARKET RESEARCH REQUIRED?
There is no simple formula for assessing when is Market Research required, most research users turn to research when…
· They are unsure about their own judgement;
· Other information sources seem inadequate;
· Greatest expertise in the particular area under investigation is needed.
Before contacting research suppliers, it is important for managers to identify the most critical areas of uncertainty and the issues that would benefit most from research.
Some common questions which lead to the needs of applying marketing research:
· Who are my target segments?
· What are my customer needs and how do I adapt the marketing mix to specific segments?
· How satisfied are my customers?
· How is my product doing in the market?
· Is there a niche in the market place for my product? Is there a niche for a new product?
· How/ What/ When do I advertise/ promote? How are consumers reacting to my advertisement/ promotion?
· How do I price my product?
Some of the typical Advertising Decisions in which market research techniques can be applied to obtain response
Advertising Decisions Research Techniques
· To whom do we say it? à Segmentation, target market selection
· What shall we say in our à Idea generation, gap analysis, problem detection studies, concept tests,Advertising? theme research, positioning and image research…
· Who will say it? à Source selection research
· Can we say it? à Claim justification research
· How do we say it most à Copy research, campaign effectiveness studies
· How often do we say it? à Weight testing, cumulative buildup/ wearout studies
· How much do we spend à Sales productivity analysis, advertising expenditure models
· How do we compare to à Competitive activity research others who are saying it?
You don,t have to conduct the research individually, some research techniques can be applied within the same study.
第十三课:The Role of Account Management
The Role of Account Management
Develop partnership relationship
-adopt a proactive approach
-add value by extending and challenging the client
-anticipate client needs and problems
-address problems as soon as they arise rather than waiting till raised
-bring to client with new ideas, opportunities and different perspectives
Client“s Expectation
-Meeting deadlines
-Control costs
-Accuracy/attention to detail
-Knowing their business
-Understanding their consumers
-Taking a leadership role in driving the brand through effective communications
Internally, expect the least from others
-nobody will start work unless you ask them to
-nobody will do anything until they have the relevant facts
-they will rely on you to maintain deadlines, ie. Chase them up!
-you are always the part for quality control (artwork, invoices, etc)
-always check spelling, check consistency, check facts(your success is judged by your relationship and management of other department as it is by your success with clients.)
With Creative Department...
-Use their time wisely
-Spend time on the brief
-good advertising rarely comes from poor brief, bad ones always do
-Share useful insights with them, copy them on interesting articles
-Give them client feedback on their work
-Have an opinion
-Always believe in your creative works that go out of the agency, and sell them
With Print Production...
-Become their ally
-Give them as much time as possible
-Make sure they have all the information - mechanical specs, etc.
-Check timing with production before committing to client
-All proofs must be approved and signed off properly
-Remember, mistakes are costly at this stage
With Creative Shoot (TV)...
-Get a producer involved early
-Detail exactly what they have to spend (on both time and cost!)
-Always carry out a thorough pre-production to ensure every one has the same vision
-Always have model release forms signed even if using agency/client staff
-Make sure your client is provided with full reference material when asked to approve talent, lcoation, music, etc.
Specific Functions
Communications ...
-Agendas
-Managing Meetings
-Call Reports
-Memo“s
-Faxes/Emails
Professional Communications...
-We must make sure that every communication (face to face meetings, phone conversations, written communications) is:
-well prepared
-focused
-smoothly executed
-With clearly defined follow up actions. NO ONE is left uncertain on what was agreed and what the next actions should be
Client meetings
-The purpose of the meeting is to present and sell our work, review progress of jobs, assign responsibilities and agree next actions.
-Both ours and the clients“ time is very valuable. We must maximize the use of each client meeting.
-Only those with a specific role to play should attend a meeting. Whether or not you attend a certain meeting, there are a number of tasks you need to perform.
The Agenda
-Discuss with the leader of the meeting, and everyone who is attending the meeting, make sure to highlight their specific responsibility in the meeting
-Check with the client if they have any items to be included on the agenda, and make sure everyone in the agency is aware of the items
Important Note
【BE ON TIME】
-Remember, your clients and your time is very valuable. Don“t waste it. Have respect for your clients“ time. Otherwise, don“t even expect to have respect in return!
Managing the meeting...
-Make sure your presence has a purpose
-Advertising is about positioning a product positively in the mind of consumers, the meeting is our opportunity to position the agency positively in the mind of our clients
-Be organized
-Be focused
-Be professional
The meeting checklist...
-Distribute agenda (prepare a spare one for unexpected client)
-Organize all presentation and reference materials in the order they are required
-Have copies of materials ready to distribute to relevant people (but save the forest!)
-Take clear and concise notes of all action points and agreements. Remember to record who has taken responsibility for undertaking certain action points
For meetings at the agency...
-Book the conference room
-Confirm equipment required for the meeting, and check how they work, and test them
-Inform reception about the meeting and the client
-Prepare paper and pens for note taking
-Arrange refreshments in advance if required
The Call Report
-Following a meeting or a telephone conversation with your client, a record must be made of all agreements and responsibilities discussed. This written record is the Call Report.
-The Call Report is universally recognized within our industry as being the instruction on which an agency will take some action. We must ensure beyond all doubt that this was the clients intentions and that we interpreted it correctly. Call Reports have been used in Court to establish responsibility!
-Must be issued on the day of the meeting or phone conversation (definitely within 24 hours of the meeting) and must be issued before you commit the agency to any financial liability
(Note: The Call Report must also note that if clients disagree with any of the points raised in the report, they must inform the agency immediately)
General Guidelines...
-Cover yourself
-Keep it short and to the point
-Highlight who is responsible for taking action
-Circulate it to all relevant parties (save the forest!)
-Get it out quick
-Wherever possible refer to individuals, if you are not, then refer to the department (eg. Client vs Mr Chan, Creative vs Patrick)
Tips on Running Your Account
-Regular updates/meetings on work in progress
-Estimate all jobs
-Regular reviews with all senior decision makers in the agency and the client side
-Initiate ideas regularly
-Ask yourself “What have I done for my client recently over and above normal duties“ (or you have not even met with the basic requirement!)
-Never Never Never assume. Check, and recheck.
-Never be late, to meetings and with any deadlines!
The Most Important TIP
Identify the challenge and the fun part of your job, and enjoy!
第十四课:Media Cost
第十六课:跟客户做个好朋友
入行多年了,每每听到广告人在背后对客户诸多不满。广告人与客户之间似乎有着一条鸿沟,大家存在的只是利益关系,没有人愿意跟客户做个好朋友。这些年来,我比别人都幸运,我在每间广告公司都遇上不少好客户。当然,差强人意的客户还是有的,但与好的客户相比,实在微不足道。于是,我想这真是我的运气吗?还是每一个人也可以与我有相同的经历呢?这是我近日想到的一些可能性,不妨与大家分享一下!
1. 试试多用你的耳朵
我是个多言的人。母亲常说幼儿园时候的我已被老师投诉在课堂上经常与同学聊天。我一直也觉得多说话没有甚么问题,我与朋友倾谈,百分之七十的时间都是我在发言的。可能是我反应快,很多时候别人只说了片言只语,我已经能够作出长篇大论的响应。到了近年,我才发现这是一个很严重的问题。原来,我的朋友都很了解我,因为我经常表达我的看法。但我对朋友却认识不多。两年前,我看了一书本,当中提及经常插嘴代表你认为对方是白痴,在浪费你的时间。我记得从前有位资深的广告人反应很快,客户只是嘴部略有动作,他已滔滔不绝地反驳,结果这位广告人不但被客户厌弃,就是广告人也避之则吉。面对客户时,请学习一下使用自己的耳朵,先聆听清楚客户有甚么意见,喜欢的是甚么?不喜欢的又是甚么?记住,不要插嘴。
2. 好好考虑客户所说的
广告界的人都很自我,彷佛除了自己外世上没有聪明人。很多时候自己构思了一个好的市场策略或是好的创意,忽被客户拒绝了,便立即大动肝火,甚么也听不进去了。有一个很旧的比喻,一杯盛满了的水很难再注入清水。先不要假设客户都是白痴,尝试认真地想想他们的建议是否行得通。没有人喜欢自己的建议在不加思索的情况下已被拒诸门外的。记得SUNDAY的天气报告就是客户的建议,起初我还觉得这构思很不设实际,电视台怎容许我们在天气报告时段卖广告?谁负得起这庞大的制作费去拍十多支广告片?天气情况与电讯有何关系?时至今日,证明客户是对的。
3. 凡事不会只有一个解决方法
记得刚入行的时候在奥美当个小文案。那时想到甚么点子都觉得是前无古人,后无来者的,每次被客户拒绝后就会郁郁寡欢数天。后来看到一位创作人为某个客户present了九次之多,每次的构思比我所想的高出很多倍。但每次被客户拒绝了,他还是很努力的继续创作,而且没有半点不高兴。我问他为甚么有这股毅力,他说有些人的点子被拒绝了会很不高兴,因为他们知道自己再想不出更好的点子;而他相信创意是无穷尽的,一个意念被拒绝了还有千千万万个好点子。我一直都谨记这个劝勉,每次被客户拒绝了,我都不会太不高兴,结果往往好戏在后头,当一条一条的路都被封闭,那些少人想到的点子才会真正出现。正所谓「山穷水尽疑无路,柳暗花明又一村」。那时你会恍然大悟,幸好当初客户没有接受那个构思。
4. 假如你是客户又怎样?
做创意的人很多时候都只顾自己的广告是否有创意,却没有顾及客户有没有生意。所以,一接获演示文稿就喜欢构思电视广告,没有想过这是否符合经济效益。有时客户也想拍电视广告,不过经费有限;创作人却为着追求广告质素而忽略了客户的真正经济能力。又有时客户对创意会裹足不前,创作人便穷追猛打,完全忽视客户可能面对的压力。不少客户每年都要面对交数的问题,在指定限期内要达到某个销售数字,每间公司都可能有些不便公开的策略,或者有些牢不可破的规条,甚至复杂的人事问题。所以,我们不妨设身处地想想,假如自己是客户,这是你的生意,你会愿意接纳这创意吗?你会愿意付出这样的广告费吗?因此,何不以体谅的态度面对客户,最终决定的应是客户本身。记得几年前为某产品构思了一个负面广告,那时大家高兴得很,客户也接纳了。不过,在签约后不久客户青着脸来请求我们撤销这宗交易,因为,他想了好几天,担心了好几天。其实合约已在手,我们大可以咬着不放,但想到对方把身家性命都放在产品上,有甚么差池,我们也不会安心。于是,我们不收分文就终止了这份合约。
5. 请勿杀鸡取卵
曾经认识一对创作人,凡事去尽,遇到客户持不同意见,仍毫不退让。结果广告是播出了,广告公司却被投诉,要求转换创作人。接手的人苦不堪言,因为客户已对广告公司失去信心。广告人经常转工,在每间公司只会逗留很短日子,所以为求表现,常会变得急功近利。这种杀鸡取卵的做法,实在屡见不鲜。我却认为与客户的关系是细水长流的,信心必须长时间累积的,今天客户未必接纳创意,但难保他日会成为最具创意的客户。初入行时很希望可以做些具创意的客户。当时的行政总监却对我说,不要羡慕别人的好客户,把自己的客户做得令人羡慕。今天这番话仍是我的座右铭。
6. 记住山水有相逢
广告圈子细得很,今日的同事他日或会是你的客户,今日的客户他日或会是你的同事。客户今日在甲公司,他日或会转到乙公司。今日是低级客户,他日或会是最高负责人。所以,只要你一日仍在广告界,终会山水有相逢。因此,我更认为与客户建立好关系是百利而无一害的。相反,你今日杀鸡取卵虽然可以得到短期利益,他日相见却再难获得信任。况且,这个圈子实在细得很,你今天这样对待甲客户,明天全行已经知道了。所以,记住「凡事留一线,日后好相见」。
身为基督徒广告人,我更加认为要跟客户做好朋友。圣经形容基督徒是盐和光。「你们是世上的盐,盐若失了味,怎能叫它再咸呢?以后无用,不过丢在外面,被人践踏了。你们是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隐藏的。人点灯,不放在斗底下,是放在灯台上,就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前,叫他们看见你们的好行为,便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父。」(太5:13-16)所以,我认为基督徒广告人更不应犯上以上各种问题,否则,我们只会污染了基督的名。相反,若我们能与客户建立好关系,我信相客户也会因为我们所作的看到神的作为。不过,我得补充一点,与客户建立好关系,并不等于奉承客户。客户不会永远是对的。我们应该与客户做对生意伙伴,共同策划最适合品牌的广告,而不是盲目附和。 |