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Chapter 8 – Surprise…Surprise
Later that same day…(Day10)
Cynthia was sitting at her desk. She had long ago given up trying to understand Brian and his moods, especially when Justin wasn’t around. This had been a really difficult year for the Kinnetik staff with Justin in New York. It was obvious that Brian missed Justin, but he would never admit it. Cynthia noticed that Brian’s moods seemed to lift for a few days after each return from New York.
Cynthia had important news for Brian, if he would ever emerge from his self-imposed exile within his office. She continued to wish that Justin were here, because he was so much more adept at handling Brian’s moods than anyone else. Justin was in New York that was a fact, but Cynthia believed that her news could change everything. She had done her research, and now she needed to talk to Brian.
Finally Cynthia decided on an alternate way to communicate through Brian’s wall of silence. Cynthia determined that Brian was probably ignoring company email, so she used a more direct approach. She sent the following text message to his cell phone.
Bri,
Belluss Occhiali
Cyn
She heard the door unlock. Cynthia waited with a smile to see what would happen. Finally, she heard Brian call her name.
“So you want to explain the text message?” Brian asked, showing he was at least mildly curious. “You might also want to explain why we need Justin? Now where would you like to start? By the way I’m having a miserable day, so this had better be good,” he said, showing that he had very little patience at the moment.
“Do you remember Belluss Occhiali?”
“Yeah, I vaguely remember that it was one of the Vanguard accounts; I think Vance handled it, if I remember. So?”
“They want to talk to us,” Cynthia said, letting some excitement show through.
“Why?”
“Lots of reasons.”
“Enlighten me.”
“Belluss Occhiali is one of the largest manufacturers of eyewear in Italy. At the time they were a Vanguard account, they were small but growing firm. This was an unusual account for Vance to even consider taking on. I think Vance only took the account as a favor to his wife at the time. It seems that the then Mrs. Vance and one of the owners’ wives were childhood friends. Nevertheless, once Vance divorced her, the account became less important to the firm. Anyway there was this talented intern at Vanguard, who understood what the client wanted, and this intern had a love and an appreciation for Italian art so he made a lot of suggestions for the campaign that Vanguard created for them. The intern was allowed to work extensively on the campaign, even had several meetings the owners. The intern met the Chairman, Rudolpho Silvestri and even met his two daughters, Maria and Cristina, who are now very active in the firm. The ad exec used many of the intern’s ideas and suggestions. Nevertheless when the intern left Vanguard to pursue other interests, the ad campaigns deteriorated. Now it seems that Belluss Occhiali and Eyeconics are working on a joint venture together. They’re looking for an agency to handle the joint campaign for the European and American markets. This is going to be big, Brian. If you can impress the Italian firm on the joint venture’s campaign, Kinnetik could also become their international ad agency.”
“Is that all?” Brian said, thinking of the challenge with a smirk.
“You should expect a call from Eyeconics later today. You know I’ve been researching Belluss Occhiali ever since I got the call. From what I can tell, the Italian eyewear company has grown quite a bit since their days with Vanguard. They’ve had several ad agencies over the last 3 years. The big agencies have never been able to make the Italian firm happy. It seems Rudolpho Silvestri is demanding and impossible to please. Because of the Eyeconics tie-in, we have an inside track. We have a good chance to win this Brian. Wouldn’t it be a real coup for us if we could land the joint account? Can you imagine what would happen if we landed Belluss Occhiali as a client? Shall I call Justin?”
“That would really put Kinnetik on the map both here and abroad. Wow!” Brian took a minute to visualize the idea of Kinnetik International. “Leave it to Vanguard to fuck up an account.” Then he turned to Cynthia and asked in complete innocence, “So what does this have to do with Justin?”
“The name of the former Vanguard intern was… Justin Taylor.”
“Fuck!”
“Shall I get Justin on the phone?”
“No!”
“No? What do you mean, no?”
“Justin lives in New York. His art career is just taking off. He’s got a life in New York. C’mon Cynthia, I’m the best at what I do. Kinnetik can do this. We can do this without Justin. We have to…I’m not sure I have a right to disrupt his life every time I think I have a potential problem.”
“It’s just one campaign, Brian. You could ask him, and let him make the decision.”
“What about ‘no’ do you not understand?”
“You need him, Brian. Sure, Kinnetik could do the work, that’s not the issue. But to figure out what the client wants when he appears not to have an idea, that’s something entirely different. Justin is so good at this. Brian, he could save us a lot of time. I bet he’d come. And besides, he also could probably use the money. New York is expensive. Think about it!”
“That’s just it, Cynthia, he doesn’t need the money. His paintings sell out at every exhibit he does. Theodore, just insured one of his paintings for $25,000, so I’m sure Justin probably doesn’t need the money.”
“Will you at least think about it?”
“Fuck!”
“Brian, you become so hard to live with on one of these major campaigns. Something this big…I don’t even want to think about it. You’ll work yourself to death. The staff will never be able to satisfy you. You’ll fire everyone. I’ve seen Justin’s work, remember. I wouldn’t want to be the one to have to match one of his artistic campaigns. So will you please call Justin? If not for your sake, for the sake of the staff?” Cynthia insisted. “Please?”
Brian just looked at her. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.
“Are you still here?” Brian asked finally.
“I’m going. But you know I’m right. I’m leaving,” Cynthia said resolutely.
Cynthia turned back one more time and grinned before leaving Brian’s office.
“Oh, by the way, would you like to see the ads that Belluss Occhiali has had over the last three years from some of the top ad agencies? You should see them. I was able to also locate a copy of the original campaign Vanguard created. Well, I sent you the file. I’m going back to my desk now,” she smirked, as she finally left Brian alone.
Brian immediately turned to his computer and began scanning the files.
“Fuck!” was the only comment Brian could make.