WK + Benji
The following are a few ways I think I could fit in at WK. As an outsider, I recognize that some of these ideas may be redundant or unfeasible.
The Intention is to demonstrate my enthusiasm for supporting WK's growth and my desire to be deeply involved.
Benji the Drop In
The Problem
WK has more work than employees to do it.
The Solution
I’m a Creative Director with a focus on video and tech. I have experience in many forms of production and my work gravitates toward shoes, cars, and comedy. I’m W+K 12 Dead Stock and have an understanding of how to work the WK way.
Why it makes money
Empty positions result in dissatisfied clients, leading to client loss.
Why it’s cheap
WK is good at acquiring talent at competitive market rates and I’m pre-trained.
Creative Technical Director
The Problem
Every agency needs campaigns with tighter digital/technical integration. The term “Creative Technologist” is often associated with programmers who are creative. However, I believe it should be a position for creatives who are also technical.
The Solution
I have a varied creative background driven by an understanding of the history and trajectory of technology. As a Creative Technical Director, I can work with creative teams to bind digital into campaigns from the beginning, act as a “technical punch-up” artist, and hope to bring unique technologies into the office to be used as a sort of art installation canvas.
Why it makes money
A CTD streamlines and inspires digital campaign components. This creates efficiencies, dilates the scope of work WK can go after, create, and charge for.
Why it’s cheap
It’s cost-effective because having a single specialized floating CD raises the digital reach of all teams.
Output
The Problem
WK Studio was built for analog still image creation and this limits its growth and the work it can take on.
The Solution
Studio gets a version update, a rebrand, and I help shape it. The new name is Output and its main goal is to allow for teams to iterate and deliver in different physical and digital mediums faster. This would include taking on smaller content creation and scaling up to virtual production capabilities and beyond.
Why it makes money
Output expands the range of work WK can take on completely in-house and upcharge for. It also gives more reasons for employees to come to the office and produce something with Output and it sharpens creative because the more ways of making that are available the more eclectic the results become.
Why it’s cheap
It’s a long-run thing. New equipment and employees can be added with expanding client needs. Each new skill Output picks up it can regularly charge for in the future. Output has a second goal - to contend with Bodega and Joint to the point that it takes over both and WK can remove said supports and reinforces its foundation.
Dinghy
The Problem
WK is like a battleship that can end wars and deliver aid, but it can't turn quickly.
The Solution
A small, self-sufficient, project-based group that is first to the fire, wild pitch ready, and a morale-boosting back-to-the-office machine that operates in real-time and in person.
Why it makes money
It's a retention thing. Dinghy makes money by building trust with clients who appreciate the white-glove service. The smaller size of Dinghy enables a larger pool of clients and projects for WK to take on. It also keeps creatives because it's a breath of fresh air and where things get made quickly.
Why it’s cheap
It's cheap because it maximizes employees' time and utilizes unused resources. I'm able to direct and manage creatives, as well as edit and finish various forms of content at many levels. These optimizations allow for more output from the same number of people and this project can launch immediately.
Jim Riswold
The Problem
Jim Riswold is a walking WK encyclopedia and his knowledge is only in his head.
The Solution
I would like to spend time with Jim and others crafting a kind of digitized WK compendium containing quotes, stories, platitudes, and more. Rather than making an omnipotent “AI”, the aim would be a creative sounding board with character. This endeavor could work with the WK Agency History & Culture Archivist and the results displayed across the network.
Why it makes money
I don’t think it should.
Why it’s cheap
A complete history of an institution like WK is priceless.
The Kennedys
The Problem
I love teaching, but I don't have an outlet for it.
The Solution
WK12 was the most informative time in my life, and I would like to give back to the program by contributing to The Kennedys.
Why it makes money
The idea is that the Kennedys program becomes a pre-trained economical talent pool for the network and elevates WK beyond an advertising agency.
Why it’s cheap
I’ll teach on my lunch break.
