Account Planning

Account Planning is simply not for me.  I don't want to insult the Account Planners out there.  In fact, I want to applaud you.  You can maintain great focus when accomplishing a somewhat mundane task.  

I guess my first qualm with Account Planning is the label.  Planning...Hmmm....  I am not much of a planner.  I am a doer.  

It frustrates me that the Account Planners spend so much time researching and planning the campaign, but they do not get to be a part of the creative process.  The thought of planning and researching without being able to creatively brainstorm suffocates me.  To me, the glory of advertising is being able to physically create.  It tortures me to think of spending my life doing something where I cannot be artistic.  

One of my loves of advertising stems from its hybrid nature:  it mixes technical business skills with artistry.  Account planning takes away one of my passions and let me tell you--I'm not cool with that.

Recently, I had to assume the role of an Account Planner for a project in my advertising class.  The main purpose was to do research and learn about our assigned product, but I could not help but dwell on brainstorming creative ideas for a possible campaign.  Over and over again, I had to snap myself back on track and remind myself what my goal was.  I do not have the ability to focus on just that aspect of advertising.  I prefer the creative side of things...you know, discovering unique visual solutions and making solid connections with people through just a few powerful words, thinking differently.  Frankly, I can't spend all of my time researching without getting restless.