Today I strapped myself to a rocket ship

This morning I woke to the sound of the same 7am alarm as the previous 3 weeks, but this time with real purpose. I’ve accepted my first professional position in New Zealand and today is day one of something big.

The first part of that isn’t true. I was already awake at 6am in that blind panic you get when you’re paranoid your alarm won’t go off. Nevertheless, the result was the same and I had to start this somewhere.

I’ve joined Auckland-based creative agency Us&Co as Digital Director, something that is not without its risks for both parties.

The agency has grown proudly and consistently over the last few years and is a testament to the quality of the talent in the small 12 person team. Their ambitions remain high and they’re abundantly aware of the importance of culture. The leaders have been through big agencies, know what works and are committed to delivering on the promise of today, not 10 years ago. There’s not a flash mob in sight.

In willfully jumping aboard this rocket ship, my role is more multifaceted and high profile than I’ve played before. At least at any one time. I expect it to be a mix of account and project handling, strategic, creative & technical input and thought leadership and management.

I prefer to think about it as I should be adding fuel, plotting and adjusting the course with my fellow astronauts, outwitting other rouge space travellers and dodging the odd asteroid along the way.

Whichever way I look at it, it is a measured leap over a chasm. One I’m completely psyched for and fully committed to.

Let’s hope it ends better than this.