Why do so many agencies insist on employing fresh-out-of-university
children who are so far up their own arses that they are in danger of
giving birth to themselves, and then let them be as rude and
objectionable as possible to sales people?
Having worked in this industry for eight years, and moved up through the
ranks of one of the country’s top three magazine publishers, I’ve always
wondered why it should be that pre-pubescent trainee media executives
assume an air of superiority and demand action just because they work
for the buyer? Are they trained to be like this, or do they truly
believe that arrogance will get them results? While I fully appreciate
that the average planner/buyer/media manager’s role is difficult, time
consuming and frequently blighted by sales people touting products that
are totally unsuitable, this does not give ’new to media’ trainees the
right to assume that all sales people are scum, especially when they
phone us for a favour.
For example, the other day the phone rang and I answered: ’Hello?
Advertising department.’
’Yes. This is Jasper from XYZ Media. I want a copy of the November
issue.’
’Hang on, I’ll just put you through to your rep.’
’Tut. Just give him the message.’
And then: click. Brrrrrrr.
Apart from his rudeness, the situation was made worse when I realised
we’d never spoken before; he obviously couldn’t be bothered to say
please and he’d omitted to tell me his surname, so even if I was going
to send him a copy, I couldn’t. When I called XYZ Media’s switchboard it
turned out that Jasper was a trainee; so it’s no surprise that he acted
the way he did. Apart from him getting no joy out of our department, he
also got his arse kicked when I complained to his boss, who I know
well.
This can’t go on. It’s about time that all trainees are taught the
difference between tough and down-right rude, and that good manners will
always get a result no matter who you are.
