Welcome to my new feature on characters in the workplace. Now we all have different personalities around us, but this executive has certainly noticed that within the media industry, many people have shared characteristics.
Yes yes, the boozing, the lies, the bullshitting, we all know, but read on if you are interested in finding out more and getting the inside scoop in the world of advertising.
So, on with Office Character #1 - The Glamour Director.
The Glamour Director, tends to be someone high up the chain, and used to enjoying the finer things in life. That's fine, but there's no need to flout it. GD loves to slide around the office telling everyone how he's 'so full up from lunch at the Ivy, how nice his new (free) watch is, or maybe about how good the Movie Premiere was last night in Leicester Square. It's not that we begrudge you Mr Director, just don't rub it in the faces of people who will never go. GDs are rarely in the office as they are entertaining (or being entertained by) high end clients. They are not the smartest bunch, but have got themselves into an enviable position.
A GD is the kind of person who has lost touch with reality. They don't know how much a pint of milk costs, because their au pair buys that. They don't like speaking to people who aren't celebrities - that certainly won't provide them with a pithy lunchtime anecdote. Last but not least, they do not like paying for things. They are not used to having to dip into their own pocket, and have to be oh so careful with their expense bills, that quite often, it's the Execs that get the drinks in. Scandalous!
Well done Mr Glamour Director.