The Pros and Cons of Being an Embedded Employee | Brandware ...

Last September, shortly after my one-year anniversary at Brandware, I was selected to work client-side at Porsche Cars North America. Since then, I?ve been treated like a PCNA employee?equipped with new business cards, company laptop, company ID and only visiting Brandware once a week for our Tuesday staff meetings.

Beyond the obvious differences (gone are the days of jeans and ?Summer Fridays,? sigh), I?ve learned a lot about my client, the client/agency dynamic and even myself. But rather than blabbing on with my own self-realizations, I?ll share the good, the bad and the ugly of being stationed client-side.

The Good

• Relationships. Being embedded at the client?s office?allows you to see both sides clearly. Having close connections with each and every team member at both the client AND the agency allows for a broad understanding of how teams work, who is responsible for what and where everyone?s strengths lie.
• Technical knowledge. It?s not the easiest task to memorize the internal code names for each of the 25+ variants of the Porsche 911. But when you sit in an?office full of product specialists and gear heads,?the numbers 997, 991 and 981 flow off your lips naturally.
• Instant feedback. Sometimes, it?s just easier for a client to review a press release or a media plan if I print it out and set it on their desk. No more worries that my emails got stuck in the Spam filter or lie buried behind 1239 unread items.
• Fast rate of absorption. Corporate life means many meetings ? but being onsite and participating is so much more valuable than getting a phone recap or PowerPoint deck after the fact.? If you?re embedded, you?re now your agency?s first line of real-time information (and? that ultimately saves time and money for both client and agency!)

The Bad

• Variety. Brandware is fortunate to have a bunch of cool clients in very cool arenas?everything from automotive, motorcycles and healthcare technology to tourism and fast food. Don?t get me wrong? I love the Porsche brand and enjoy being a ?car girl? ?but I do occasionally miss the exposure to different categories and the variety that agency life brings.
• Multiple Bosses. Working for the client and the agency simultaneously can be stressful. The client?s needs come first, but I must remember to be conscientious of all the parties who manage my projects.

The Ugly

• Let?s face it. There?s nothing ugly about working for a badass PR agency and one of the world?s greatest automotive brands at the same time. My advice to others who find themselves in this situation: enjoy it! It?s a unique and important experience, and you?ll grow professionally and personally from rising to the challenge.

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Tagged client-side, corporate, embedded, porsche, pr, public relations

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