Читать книгу A Whirlwind...Makeover - Nancy Lavo - Страница 12

Maddie picked up her yellow legal pad and freshly sharpened pencil and walked to the door of her office. She’d left it slightly ajar so she could see when Colton started down the hall for the Monday morning staff meeting.

She assured her troublesome conscience that she was not stalking the man—she simply wanted to be handy if he needed reassurance during the first difficult days of his new job. Not that she honestly believed he’d ever suffered even a moment of self-doubt in his gorgeous life. Whereas mere mortals were composed of ninety-something percent water, Colton Hartley was pure unadulterated confidence.

Maddie knew her own confidence level frequently dipped into the non-existent range. That’s probably one of the myriad reasons she found Colton Hartley so attractive. He was everything she was not.

She had hoped to serve as his guide over the next few days, but unfortunately he’d made it very clear last Friday afternoon when she’d walked him out to his car at the end of the day that he no longer required her services. His exact words were, “You’ve done a great job of showing me around, Maddie, but I can handle it from here.”

Despite her protests, he was determined to go it alone. Though deprived of a valid excuse to stick by his side, she was pleased he’d finally remembered her name.

And though he was determined to stand on his own two feet, she was equally determined to stand by his side. And anyone who knew Maddie at all knew that what she lacked in self-confidence she more than made up for in sheer determination.

So here she was, lurking in the doorway, eye pressed to the crack so he couldn’t slip by. Lucky for her his office was on the opposite side of the hall: if she stood at just the right angle to the opening she could see his office door.

Moving shadows alerted her that he was finally coming out. When she saw his broad shoulders fill his doorway she counted three seconds before swinging open her door and stepping out into the hall. She knew immediately the delay had been a mistake. Even as she moved in on his retreating form, people were popping out of their offices like cuckoos from a clock just as Colton passed by.

Coincidence? Maddie doubted it. She began to suspect hers had not been the only eye pressed to a door crack that morning.

She hurried, trying to catch up with Colton’s long-legged stride, but it was no use. Her female colleagues had already closed in on him.

She resisted the temptation to gnash her teeth. There would be other times.

Maddie filed into the conference room with the others. The seats around the long mahogany table were already taken so she settled into one of the chairs set up in the back of the room.

Less than five minutes later Jack Benson, owner of Cue Communications, called the meeting to order. Jack and Maddie’s late father had started Cue Communications thirty years ago. At the time, they’d had one client and no prospects. The only thing the two young men had had in abundance was ambition.

Through grit and perseverance they’d built the advertising agency into a well-respected firm billing millions in revenue annually. The staff had grown to eighteen full-time employees and their client list read like a Who’s Who of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

As a little girl, Maddie’s heart’s desire had been to work side by side with her father at Cue. When he’d died unexpectedly before she’d graduated from college, Jack had assured her she’d always have a place at the agency. A year after her dad had died, her mother sold Jack their half of the agency, preferring the lucrative cash settlement to the messy details of owning a business. Though Maddie no longer held physical ownership of the company, in her heart it would always be hers and her dad’s.

She’d hired on a year ago, after earning her MBA, with the nebulous title of Jack’s assistant. She didn’t have the experience required of an account executive, nor the talent for art or copywriting, but she had drive. Jack had signed her on with a handsome salary and an office of her own.

She’d never forget the day he’d first introduced her at the Monday morning meeting. She’d sat beside him at the head of the table, and, when it came time for introductions, they stood, his arm around her shoulders, and he had said to the assembled staff, “You are looking at the brightest star on the horizon of Cue Communications.”

She wasn’t sure why, but he believed in her. Other than her father, Jack was the only one who thought she was bright, capable and creative.

Jack had spent the past year training her. He’d taught her about the fine art of marketing and forecasting trends. He’d showed her the production side of the business, so she knew firsthand how a concept evolved into a story-board and finally into a finished campaign. More importantly, he’d modeled the integrity and ambition she’d admired in her father.

Maddie desperately wanted to live up to the potential Jack saw in her. As his assistant she listened carefully, absorbing the information he’d given her. But after a year, she still kept to the background. When Jack questioned her as to why she didn’t share her ideas with the group, she told him honestly that she didn’t feel she’d earned the right to speak. What were her opinions compared to those with years of experience?

The sound of laughter dragged her attention to the present. As always, Jack had opened the meeting with a joke. When the laughter died down, he officially introduced Colton to the group. Maddie didn’t miss the particularly warm reception the women gave him. Colton accepted it graciously, said a few words of greeting and sat down.

“Now, on to the business at hand,” Jack said. “I received a call from Swanson Shoes last week. Old man Swanson is stepping down from leadership and his son Paul is taking his place. Swanson wanted me to know that Paul is considering dropping Cue and going with a new agency.”

Jack paused while a worried buzz filled the room. “Paul thinks Swanson Shoes needs new blood to freshen up the company image. In deference to our long-standing friendship, Swanson has requested that Paul give us the opportunity to pitch a new campaign before he makes any changes. Paul agreed. I set a tentative meeting for Friday.”

The buzz became a roar.

Jack held up his hand for silence. “I know that doesn’t give us much time, but I believe the faster we get back to him, the more likely we are to retain the account. Once the news gets out that Swanson Shoes is up for grabs, agencies will swarm them. I don’t have to tell you that nobody wins in a frenzied bidding war.”

Again he lifted his hands in a call to order. “I’m personally going to handle the new pitch and I’m going to ask Colton to work with me.”

Colton smiled and nodded his acceptance to Jack, obviously pleased with the honor.

“And Maddie, I’m looking for your input as well.”

She’d known when Jack had given her the information last week that he wanted her opinion of the situation, but she’d never dreamed he wanted her on the account team. Though her stomach lurched with the weight of the responsibility, she, too, gave Jack a calm nod.

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur. Maddie couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for the current cheap toy promotion their hamburger chain was offering. Her mind was locked on the idea that Swanson Shoes, one of their biggest, most lucrative accounts, was in jeopardy and she was on the team to save it. Even the honor of working side by side with Colton was of secondary importance.

After Jack dismissed the meeting, he asked Colton and Maddie, along with the creative team, to stay. Maddie picked up her pad and pencil and relocated to the open chair at Jack’s left.

When the room cleared, Jack said, “You both have had an opportunity to study the Swanson account. You’ve heard me say the new president, a thirty-two-year-old hotshot, is ready to replace us with new blood. What do you think we should do about it?”

He turned to Maddie. “Ladies first.”

She’d had plenty of time to prepare what she wanted to say, but when it came time to speak nerves blocked her throat. “I think—” Her voice was a croak. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat. Twice.

“I think it’s time to change the focus of the campaign. For the past twelve years we’ve sold Swanson Shoes as good value. We’ve concentrated almost exclusively on the price angle. Last week I researched the price of comparable children’s shoes in local stores and found that Swanson Shoes are expensive. I don’t have the exact numbers with me but Swanson Shoes are typically priced thirty percent higher than their competitors’ shoes.”

Jack nodded and made a little humming sound of approval.

Maddie continued with more confidence, careful to avoid looking at Colton so she wouldn’t get distracted. “I also noticed that while the prices were higher, so was the quality. Swanson Shoes were superior to every other shoe I compared them to. Through personal observation and questioning the sales people I found that the average Swanson Shoe customer is a double-income couple. I know money is important to everyone, but I think these customers would be motivated to buy a shoe for quality and construction. Even status.”

Jack’s brows shot up.

“Let’s compare it to buying cars. The upwardly mobile rarely drive economy cars even though they provide adequate transportation. No, they buy luxury cars because they want the status. They don’t mind paying the bigger price tag because they believe they are getting more. The finest quality. Exclusivity.” Maddie took a deep breath before finishing, “Bottom line, I think we should sell Swanson Shoes like Cadillacs. We would use the angle that their children deserve the best.”

Jack’s grin nearly split his face. He looked so proud Maddie half expected him to burst the buttons on his shirt.

Colton leaned forward, shaking his head. “I disagree. I think money is always of paramount importance, especially in uncertain economies like ours. I believe we’re dead-on by making value the focus of the campaign.”

With all attention riveted on him, Colton stood and began to pace. “As I see it, the problem isn’t the focus of the campaign, it’s the delivery. I took the Swanson Shoe video home over the weekend and watched the current television ads. B-o-r-i-n-g. This new president, Paul, is looking for fresh and innovative ideas. I think what is called for here is flashy presentation. New music, bold colors, aggressive staging. There’s nothing wrong with Maddie’s ideas, but in execution I believe we’d be giving Swanson Shoes more of the same stuff they’ve come to expect from Cue. We’d be handing Paul all the excuse he needs to walk.”

He was good. Maddie didn’t enjoy having her ideas shot down like mallards in duck season, but she had to admit, Colton did it with panache. He paced as he delivered his ideas, stopping and gesturing at dramatic intervals. Between the sight of his impressive self and the ringing authority in his voice, Maddie was half convinced she was an idiot. Evidently so were the others.

The creative team was one hundred percent behind Colton. Jack seemed less certain. He sat back in his black leather chair, balanced his elbows on the tabletop and steepled his fingers. After a lengthy silence he said, “Both ideas have merit…”

Colton seemed to sense his advantage, “Jack, you brought me on to update Cue’s image. I hope you’ll go with the same instincts that led you to me and allow me to draw up the campaign.”

Maddie wanted to applaud. The guy was a master. He seemed to be a natural at reading the crowd and delivering what they wanted. Wouldn’t that same innate ability apply to advertising?

Maddie thought her ideas were good. Really good. But what if she was wrong? It’s not like she had years of experience behind her. She certainly didn’t have Colton’s knack for reading people.

It was hard to give up her own plan, which she believed was a sound one, but ultimately the good of Cue outweighed her need for validation and acceptance. “I think he’s right, Jack,” she said.

Jack turned to study her face and gauge her sincerity. She nodded and smiled her approval. After another long pause Jack said, “Okay, creative people, you’ve heard Colton’s ideas. Flesh them out for me. I want sample print campaigns, radio spots and 30-second television spots. Make them trendy enough to convince Paul Swanson that Cue Communications has not gone the way of the dinosaur.”

Colton had a five-minute head start on Maddie when she headed downstairs for lunch. With her eye once again pressed to the door she’d seen him switch off his office light and head down the hall. Forgoing a delay for the sake of appearances, she darted out to follow him.

She’d have caught up with him if Jack hadn’t caught her.

“Maddie,” he called from his office. “Come in for a second. And close the door.”

She had no choice but to obey. She cast one last longing look at Colton’s retreating back before entering Jack’s office and closing the door behind her. She took the chair across from him at the desk.

Jack’s normally jovial expression was serious. “I want you to tell me honestly what you think of Colton’s ideas for Swanson’s campaign.”

She met his eyes to give him the reassurance he sought. “I liked them. You know they’re not the direction I’d have originally chosen. I’ve never been a big fan of loud music and erratic photography to sell a product. However, all that said, I believe Colton will make them work.”

She sat forward in her chair to continue. “From the little I’ve seen of him, I know he’s a natural. You’ve seen him, Jack. He works a crowd like a seasoned politician. If he brings that same power to an ad campaign, I can’t see how it could lose.”

“He’s good all right, but my gut instinct tells me your strategy is better.”

Maddie thought those were the nicest words she’d ever heard.

Jack said, “This is going to sound crazy, but the fact that I agree with you is why I decided to go with Colton.”

“You’re right. It sounds crazy.”

“Hear me out. Paul Swanson thinks Cue Communications is outdated. Since I’ve had the largest input in his previous campaigns I translate that to mean that I’m outdated. I’ve spent the last year teaching you everything I know. You and I think alike.”

Maddie nodded. “I see what you’re getting at. It’s possible you like my idea because it’s a product of your training.”

“Exactly. I don’t ordinarily second-guess myself. I’ve been in this business a long time and I have developed a certain sense about what works. But I’ve got to tell you, I was rattled when old man Swanson told me we were in danger of losing the account. For the first time, I wondered if I’ve been around too long. If my perspective is stale.”

He suddenly looked older. Grayer. Maddie reached across the desk to take his hand in hers. “My dad always said you were an advertising genius. And he was right. Part of that genius led you to Colton. Instinct told you he had something you wanted for Cue. You were right to go with your instincts. He can give Paul something totally new and different. And new and different just might be the ticket.”

He squeezed her hand with fatherly affection. “Thanks, Maddie.”

“For what?”

“For taking this so well. When I asked you to join the Swanson team I did it because I know your ideas are good and I wanted you to realize it, too. You finally open up and your ideas get shot down. That’s not how I planned it. So thanks, for being a big enough person to consider someone else’s ideas.”

She laughed as she stood. “You know as well as I do that no one has ever accused me of being less than a big person.”

His laughter trailed her down the hall.

Maddie once again selected a green salad for lunch. For variation she went with the diet Italian dressing that strongly resembled water with red and green flecks. Just past the cashier she paused to scan the room for Colton. Her first sweep came up empty. She sighed. With so many people milling around she might never locate him.

About halfway through her second sweep she caught sight of someone waving. Her heart skipped a beat until she realized it wasn’t Colton. It was Dan, the guy she’d shared a table and a piece of pie with on Friday. She balanced her tray in one hand and waved back before continuing her search for Colton. No sign of him.

Maddie glanced back at Dan. He was standing now, waving her over to his table. She hesitated. She didn’t want to commit herself should she suddenly locate Colton. She darted several more fruitless looks around the room.

Finally, good manners propelled her toward Dan. He was kind enough to offer her a seat and, realistically, she might never find Colton. Besides, Dan just might have another piece of pie he was willing to share.

It was slow going through the obstacle course of people and tables. Dan was smiling when at last she reached him. A crinkly eyed smile that made Maddie feel as though she’d stepped into a pool of bright sunlight.

“Hi, Maddie,” he said, pulling out a chair for her. “I figured you might be looking for dining companionship.”

“I had thought…” her voice trailed away as she glanced back over her shoulder.

“Looking for your friend Colton? He’s over there.” Dan pointed to a table four or five down from theirs. “That’s him with his back to us. You might get a glimpse of him if those women standing around him will move.”

No wonder she hadn’t seen him when she came in. Once again he was mobbed with females. She wagged her head ruefully as she sat. “He’s amazing.”

Dan sat across from her and lifted his shoulders in a dismissive shrug. “He doesn’t do a thing for me.”

She met his twinkling eyes and laughed. “I’m really glad to hear it.”

Dan looked down at her tray. “Why do you punish yourself like that?” he asked, pointing to the salad.

She didn’t want to confess she’d planned to sit with Colton and had hoped to fool him into believing she existed on salads. As if anybody would be dumb enough to believe she’d attained her body on lettuce and diet dressing. “I was hoping you’d have a piece of pie you’d want to share,” she improvised.

He lifted a plate with a large wedge of chocolate cream pie. “Looks like today is your lucky day.”

She’d forgotten what a nice smile Dan had. It wasn’t movie-star perfect like Colton’s, of course, but it was nice. Dan had a strong jaw and a generous mouth with straight white teeth. She liked the tiny smile lines bracketing his mouth, testimony to the good humor that seemed to radiate from him. The very best thing about his smile was the way it somehow transferred itself from his lips to his eyes when his mouth turned up in a grin.

He was an attractive man. She’d noticed right away that he was an inch or two taller than she was, a plus in any acquaintance. He had the rangy build of an athlete—more sleek runner than bulky weight lifter. As he had on Friday, Dan wore faded blue jeans and a T-shirt that stretched over a nicely muscled chest.

This was not a man who spent hours in front of the mirror. Dan appeared to be comfortable with himself, which was probably the reason she felt so comfortable with him.

She knew instinctively that Dan was a kind man. A man who saved toppling giants and shared his dessert with hungry strangers. A man who knew how to get people to talk about themselves and possessed the rare willingness to listen to the answers.

Maddie remembered with a guilty start that she’d been so preoccupied with Colton on Friday she hadn’t asked Dan anything about himself. “Tell me about Dan Willis,” she said before popping a forkful of salad into her mouth.

He flashed her a self-deprecating smile. “Not much to tell.”

She shook her head. “Sorry, I’m not buying that. It’s payback time. I told you all about me on Friday, now it’s your turn. I’ll help you get started. Tell me what you do.”

“I’m a photographer.”

“A professional photographer?”

He nodded.

“That’s interesting. What do you take pictures of?”

His laugh sounded more disgusted than amused. “At this moment, I don’t know.”

Uh-oh. Out-of-work photographer. No wonder he was hesitant to talk about himself. Probably pretty touchy about it. She reached across the table and patted his hand. “Don’t get discouraged. Something will turn up.”

He caught her hand in his, holding it up to examine it. Maddie’s breath lodged midwindpipe. Wow. Amazing how his casual touch could make her insides go all squishy. She forced herself to breath. Dan’s hand was warm and strong. She was amazed to see that her hand looked feminine, almost fragile when clasped in his larger one.

“This looks suspiciously like a fresh manicure to me,” he teased.

She snatched her hand back in embarrassment. “It is. I had my nails done on Saturday.” She didn’t go on to confess that it was her first manicure ever or that it was his remark about her hands being great that had sent her racing to the nearest salon.

She’d been taught all her life to play up her assets but until she met Dan she hadn’t been sure she possessed any.

Lunch ran overtime. Conversation was so easy with Dan that Maddie forgot to keep an eye on her watch.

“Oops,” she said when she finally realized she’d been due back at the office ten minutes ago. “I’ve gotta run.”

Dan smiled. “No problem. I’ll look for you down here tomorrow.”

Maddie’s heart felt surprisingly light as she hurried toward the elevator. He didn’t compare to Colton, of course, but Dan made a pretty terrific lunch date.