Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Curry Mendes and an artist on all levels. I have been very fortunate to be able to turn my love or the arts into a career in visual advertising.
I enjoy team work a great deal. I love hearing other people’s perspective on a presented brief. Working with writers, proof readers, retouching and mechanics. The whole team is masterful and in flow when there are multiple projects happening. Color proofing one minute and meeting with vendors about layouts and new products offered the next.
I can say that my fine art allows me to be egoless in the workplace. My art is 100% mine, allowing me to hear and understand multiple visions for the outcome of a project. Pushing back with grace and allowing clients to override after a few push backs. It is all a part of maturing in the industry and when lucky enough passing on these lessons to the next generation of talent.
I am a great team player and I enjoy very much leading the way. Organization of the team and the life of a project is what makes the life in the agency exciting. Timeline projections keeps everyone on board with the goals and budget management. I also take into account that everyone involved is important and has ideas. I believe there is no one working in advertising that is not creative on some level or they would not be there. Everyone matters all the time.
My Core Values and how I prefer to manage my team to do the same:
- Operating as a Full Agency Team:
Everyone desires to go home. When leaving, I often check in with others still working to see if they can use any help.
- Personal Phone Calls:
I make and accept few phone calls in the work environment. If there happens to be one and I am approached by Project Managers or Team Leaders my phone call ends immediately.
- Tight Deadlines:
There is always time to be fun and joyful, I would say most of the time in-fact. However, when things get tight in timing we need no distractions. I recommend headphones and accountability. We will celebrate later.
- Celebrating the Team:
Going above and beyond is needed to keep things moving forward. Deadlines become heated and new business development is as important and client retention. The extra mile is needed now and again, however so is the celebration to keep the team reliable and appreciated.
- Clock Watching:
I am not a clock watcher. I am a project oriented person. Doing what needs to be done in order to keep the team and project in flow. Flexibility in everyone is important to me.
- Skills & Assets:
Keeping everyone fresh and happy. Software skills up to par, as well as resumes and personal portfolios up to date. A team that wants to be there is the best team.