Someone Old, Someone New

Someone Old: Eva Rausch...

Eva has been with us here at W+K Amsterdam for over 10 years now and is the Group Account Director for HypoVereinsbank and Sharp.  And to think she could have been driving buses all this time...

When you were a kid, what was your dream job?

In the early years, I wanted to become a bus driver, because he always collected money from everyone.  Later, my dream job was to be a pharmacist because a friend of the family did holiday stand-ins when a pharmacist went on vacation.  I thought it must be great to only work a couple of weeks during the vacation period and then be off the rest of the time!

What was the most influential decision you ever made?

Moving abroad.  Being an expat and seeing Germany from the outside gives a new perspective on things.

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Jeff Kling.  He is one of the craziest, smartest, nicest people I have met in the industry so far and also has a great Swabian accent when he speaks German!  He knows when to get involved and when to let go.

What have you been most proud of in your career?

Being part of a group of people that produce something great together.  And really, every time a piece of great work that I have somehow been involved in goes on air.

What campaign gives you work envy and why?

It's the simplicity of the Apple campaign 'Think Different'.  Very rarely does a campaign explain so well, in so few words, what the brand is all about.

Now enough of the serious questions...

You win the lottery - what is the first thing you buy?

A bottle of Champagne!

What's the most inappropriate thing you've ever said to a colleague / in a meeting?

"This is absolutely nonsense and useless".  It didn't go down well... I'm happy to say that I've improved my communication skills since then!

Favourite city / place and why?

So far, I would say my favourite city is New York because it's cosmopolitan, crazy and offers everything.  My favourite place is Schwarzenberg (a tiny village in the Austrian Alps) because some of my best childhood memories are of there.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

I'd quite like Courteney Cox Arquette - do you think she would do it?

What do you think will be written on your gravestone?

"The world will not be the same without her". (And indeed it wouldn't, Eva)!

Someone New: Miranda Kendrick...

Miranda has recently joined us from neighbouring Strawberry Frog.  As you can probably tell from her photograph, she is an Art Buyer through and through...

When you were a kid, what was your dream job?

For a school project I once presented the class with an in-depth (for an 11 year old) analysis on the difference between English and American cigarette advertising in the 80s.  So, it was either advertising or lead dancer for Madonna.

What was the most influential decision you ever made?

Getting married.  I heard a lot of people started doing it after i did...

Who do you most admire in the industry?

Anyone who can successfully achieve a work/life balance to working in advertising and win awards.  And Mel Gibson in "What Women Want".  He was really sensitive in that movie.

What have you been most proud of in your career?

Sleeping with an Art Director...?  Or the work for 'EA 'FIFA 08' campaign with Wayne Rooney - we shot it in record time, in the rain in Manchester.  Also, a print ad that I worked on for Onitsuka Tiger - it was basically a giant shoe made out of sushi and toys.

What campaign gives you work envy and why?

I like the Harvey Nichols print ads, year on year.  I think they stand out, are well executed, have the right tone of voice and don't follow the formula.  I'd like to have made them and they speak to me as a consumer so that's two votes from me!

You win the lottery - what is the first thing you buy?

A dog - a big one.

What's the most inappropriate thing you've ever said to a colleague / in a meeting?

"No, you'll never be able to produce that for the budget and these timings are never going to work".

Favourite city / place and why?

I really like Coney Island, New York.  I grew up in a seaside town in England, and Coney Island is like the memory I have in my head of it without actually going back there and realising that it's not the same place at all.  And they have a 'shoot the freak' game where you get to fire paint balls at a half naked guy - wearing a football helmet, of course - in a pit.  What's not to like?

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

Will Ferrell.  I'd like to see him in my clothes and with hair extensions.

What do you think will be written on your gravestone?

Miranda May Vall

1978 - 2009

Died peacefully at her desk.