Before I embarked on this trip, I thought a lot about the last time I visited New York City: as a sixteen-year-old theatre kid. To be honest, I didn’t think the two experiences would have much more in common than the landmarks and street signs.

After experiencing my first professional pitch, however, I’m thinking about my two New York experiences a little bit differently. 

Advertising, after all, requires some theatrics. You don’t just need to have a good idea to win the pitch. You need to be polished, well-rehearsed and energetic. You need something unexpected, engaging or personal to bring your audience into your message.

Some things are true in the conference room and on the stage.

Rachel Benner. 05.13.2017.