Thriving in a band of brothers
Senior Copywriter Kerry Shea leads an important brainstorming session
As the only girl in a large extended family, most weekends of my childhood were spent trying to keep up with the boys and defending myself. I took my fair share of teasing and got more scrapes and bruises than I care to remember. And though I occasionally shed some tears, I always brushed myself off and came back swinging. Little did I know that my boys—as relentless as they were—were actually doing a damn fine job of preparing me for a career as a copywriter, where being “one of the guys” is as big an asset as being capable of clear, thoughtful communication, or being able to present in front of a roomful of clients.
So how did my being on the losing end of a seemingly incessant game of “why do you keep hitting yourself” better position me for success as a Creative? It could be because the boys’ club mentality of Mad Men is still alive and well—aside from all that afternoon martini drinking and secretary ass-grabbing, anyway. But in my version, Don Draper and his team have been replaced by my brother, my cousins and that kid Peter who used to pull my hair in the second grade.
Before I dive deeper into that thought, let me cover off on some important housekeeping stuff. After all, I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea here. Being a female in a boys’ club does not mean that I am discriminated against in any way. I am given the same opportunities that any of the guys get. At least I think I am. It also doesn’t mean that I only get to work on anything and everything related to females. Although if we ever pitch a tampon account, I hope it won’t be assigned to a team of dudes.
What being part of this club means is that I’m a recipient of big-brotherly behavior. And I don’t mean the covert, government-sponsored kind. More like the kind where two people might conspire to scare you senseless by flickering the lights on and off while you’re working late in a building rumored to be haunted. Or the kind where someone might sneak up behind you and poke you, just to watch you jump out of your chair. That happens almost daily. Or even the kind where someone mimics you and repeats everything you say word for word, but with a sneer and a high-pitched voice. But I can take it. And I have absolutely no problem giving it right back.
Just to be clear, I’m not standing on a soapbox whining about the inequities of being a woman in a male-dominated world. This is simply one Peggy Olson’s account of how building forts from couch cushions and being a victim of the occasional Spiderman-web tackle with a fart-soaked blanket helped shape me into the Creative that I am. One who is equally comfortable talking about the improbability of a spontaneous pillow fight erupting in a roomful of hot girls, why Brett Favre should have stayed retired, or the horror that is the shart, as I am talking about rainbows and unicorns, babies and puppies, or the magic that is mascara.
As a woman who grew up in a neighborhood of boys, I learned early how to climb a tree, throw a baseball properly and make sure that I didn't draw back a stub at dinner time. This immersion in the male psyche taught me how to analyze defense, define my opinions and most importantly how to “shake it off” when necessary.
Men, mad or otherwise: gotta love 'em. Thanks for the post, Kerry.
Thank you! As someone who always grew up with more male friends than female friends (much to my boyfriend's dismay), I can really relate in this scenario. And as an aspiring copywriter, it gives me a lot of encouragement to know that even though we may be few and far between as female creatives, we can still be part of the boy's club.
True! Being able to shake things off is key. Thanks for reading!
The best of luck to you Erica. If you have more guys friends than women, I suspect your skin is pretty thick already. That's a good place to start.
I've had the pleasure of working in one creative department that was about 50/50 male and female, and in another creative department that was very culturally diverse.
Both experiences add to the quality of the work, and I feel every creative department should allow themselves the blessings of cultural and gender diversity.
Hey, I'm a CW at Ignited in LA. I share your sentiments. This is my blog post about it too.
http://ignitedusa.com/blog/YOWSAHaveYouSeentheB...
I don't think anyone disagrees that diversity adds to quality. It makes us all better and smarter to surround ourselves with people with different views.
Loved your post — especially that snazzy headline.
Thanks for the link.
Yep. I trained as an engineer (80 boys on our apprenticeship – 4 girls) when I was younger. I totally agree with this post. Can I quite controversially add to the mix that maybe hanging around with lads might also make you wittier (I don't know if you are witty, but it must help with being a copywriter and all)?
Woman, you are DEAD ON. This was so well written I litterally could not have done it better myself. I've had the same thoughts on this issue (especially the big brother part) and in social media it is definitely a prominent issue. I've always struggled with the fact that I have way more male role models and mentors than I do women mentors, but I think I just found another to add
Thanks!!
I could not agree more. As an aspiring copywriter, I believe that being able to be 'one of the guys' at 4 a.m. in an art school computer lab, really prepared me for any Sausagefest down the line. Dealing with outrageous commercial ideas involving 'glory holes,' 'belch competitions' and 'cock blocks' – delirious from no Zzzs, a woman has to be able to withstand a certain amount of macho with her late night chocolate pick-me-up, while longing for her beauty sleep. Not to mention that lil' area above the knee, that tickles when pinched- not so ticklish anymore. Bring it on, boys!
Thanks Alice. I don't think that's controversial… it's true. At least in my case anyway. Thanks for reading.
Hey Sarah. Checked out your blog. Thanks for getting in touch.
Michelle, sounds like you've already earned some stripes. If you can hang with those guys and survive, you'll do just fine.
Thanks Alice. I don't think that's controversial… it's true. At least in my case anyway. Thanks for reading.
Hey Sarah. Checked out your blog. Thanks for getting in touch.
Michelle, sounds like you've already earned some stripes. If you can hang with those guys and survive, you'll do just fine.