Travel For FOUR

Good news! I’ve verbally accepted an offer from MRM Worldwide, the #8 largest digital/interactive firm in the UK (2006). I’ll be working on the Intel account from their London office located in Southwark (right by Borough Market and London Bridge).

I’m excited about the position for many reasons. They’re in a great location on the Northern Line (40 min from home door to door!), let me name my price (don’t get overly excited…), the account is a recognized name, the firm and client are committed to new media, it’s an EMEA account — I’ll coordinate with folks from across Europe mainly, but will also have access to know more about marketing in the Middle East and Africa. AND, perhaps most importantly, it feels like home. I clicked with the people and the culture balances work and play (ie pool table in the canteen, canteen turns into a pub on Friday nights, folks go to lunch together, reduced gym membership to encourage co-workers to hang out together, etc).
Hmmm…now, what to do with the other interviews I have lined up next week? And the unpleasant job of telling the other offer bearers no.

I start November 1 (I think?).

While I haven’t signed on the line with any firm yet, it’s safe to say that I will be employed (and happily so) as of Nov. 1. Yay! Two Incomes here we come.

While in Germany, G and I ordered a desert that was topped with an odd looking fruit. I recognized them from the market’s produce section in London, but had never purchased them–not knowing what they were or what to do with them.The fruit is called Physalis. It’s related to the tomato…in the same family as the Chinese Lantern Flowers, as well. Hence, the characteristic shape and flavor of the fruit and the shape of its casing.

Rather than cooking them, you remove them from their pods and eat them raw on salads or use them for garnish.

You can learn more about them from Wikipedia.

The Latest. The standing offer has been reviewed and revised up! And my dissertation client’s managing director (a separate firm) contacted me late last week to ask if I would join him for a drink to “discuss his plans for the firm in the new year”. I’ll meet up with him next Monday…fingers crossed he gives me some leverage to drive up the bidding.

So, my little readjustment worked! I’m way more excited about the job search now. No job could win when compared against vacation and travel. The comparison to other positions is a bit more fair.

With this in mind, I interviewed with recruiters yesterday and they’ve submitted me for positions with MRM Worldwide, Tribal DDB, Dare, R/GA, Work Club and others. So far, I have one interview scheduled next week…hopefully more will follow.

I think I just needed a deadline, luckily the standing offers fill the need. Find something more fitting, or accept one of the standing offers by mid-October…now’s the time to shift into overdrive.

So…as I last left it, I had been offered an attractive full time permanent position with a reputable London firm with a very measured approach. But, I hadn’t yet decided how to proceed.

Over the holiday, I had to give them my decision. I declined.

On Monday, I returned to town and had multiple messages from my recruiter. The firm (ie hiring manager) understood my concerns, but is adamant that I’ll be a good fit and will enjoy my work (despite the lack of creative). Rather than the previously proposed 1 yr/permanent contract, they’re willing to put me on a 6 month contract so that I’m not locked in long-term, but it will automatically renew if I do decide to stay. Bad news is, they want me ASAP. My freedom is fleeting.
In addition, I did a bit of soul searching to figure out why I continue to refuse opportunities. I’ve come up with two reasons:

1. We’ve had an amazing year! G has a great, relaxed attitude about taking time off and his company is very accomodating. I don’t want my job to clip our wings. Also, I’m a bit of a workaholic and I like my very laid-back, stressfree life at the moment. It’s not that I’m against the jobs, it’s that I’m resisting the lifestyle change. I need to get over it and find a way to balance the two.
2. The firms in London aren’t integrated. They all say that they are, but have their roots established in one medium or another and are generally very limited on interactive/digital. And this area and branding form the center of my interest. Hence, I’ve decided to refocus my search on digital/interactive firms going forward. I’m meeting with a couple recruiters tomorrow to discuss a few interactive/digital AD roles in Central London.

If I hold out for perfect, I’ll be waiting forever…but for now, I’ll continue to interview and keep the 6-month rolling contract as a solid back-up. It’s a solid opportunity. But fun, school, friends, hanging about with G and vacation seems way more appealing by comparison. Hmmm….I wonder why? 🙂
Regardless, my fleeting freedom inspired me to get out and about today to take care of a few errands I had been putting off. I took a painting from Prague for framing (had been waiting until we were back on 2 incomes!), went to the local gym to pick up an info kit/tour and basically just enjoyed the sunny day.