Advertising Age recently published its annual report of "Women to Watch," featuring the industry’s most influential female execs. Congrats to them. But I’m a champion of the little guy (or girl, as the case may be)—underpaid, undervalued people who really make all the difference. So I did some research and looked under every agency stone across America to honor an esteemed group of unsung heroes and to put them in the pantheon of...
INTERNS (I LIKE) TO WATCH, '08
1. Lori-Ann Dooly, Crispin-Porter, Boulder
Who is she: 22-year-old incoming senior at LSU. Training for a position in Crispin’s media department. Will get 4 credits. Likes plantain chips and playing Text Twirl on Facebook.
Why she matters: Lori-Ann is the necessary ray of sunshine at this notorious sweatshop. By most accounts she is worthless when it comes to her menial day-to-day tasks: data entry, meeting notes, Starbucks runs. But as Jules says in Pulp Fiction, personality goes a long way: Dooley will laugh at EVERY joke, loudly, some say obnoxiously, and flirts with the fellas just enough to keep the creative juices flowing. Think it’s an accident that Crispin does the best, most consistent work in the business? Think—and look—again.
2. Stephen Randolph, Digitas, Boston
Who is he: 19-year-old incoming junior at McGill University, Montreal. Working with the Saturn creative team, will get zero credits due to border issues. Collects vintage smut (circa '70-'75); amateur cartoonist and sushi chef.
Why he matters: Nephew of senior account exec Rob Roddow, Stephen doesn’t do a whole lot at this digital powerhouse. He rolls in at the crack of noon, usually with a couple McGriddle sandwiches, settles into his cube and falls asleep. His apparent value may be questionable, but Stephen will join ANYONE in heavy drinking escapades. He doesn’t understand "no," and this is invaluable in a profession fueled by booze. Depressed about the client watering down your creative? Stephen will pound Irish Carbombs with you 'til the cows come home, pass out in a fetal position while watching taped Simpsons episodes, wake up and do it all over again. In the words of Dude Lebowski, he’s the rug that ties the room together.
3. Alison Libermann, Ogilvy, NYC
Who is she: 20-year-old University of Florida incoming senior will receive 2 credits. Working with account services on IBM. Enjoys the Hamptons, bottle service at Manhattan clubs and texting while walking.
Why she matters: Libermann's usefulness is questionable at best—to the casual observer, that is. A self-satisfied trust-funder, she dropped out of Outward Bound, flunked out of Pomfret School and was kicked out of Hamilton (the industrial city in Ontario and the College). Any request made of her is met with a mix of attitude and contempt. But her ability to quote both Fletch and Fletch Lives verbatim is unrivaled, giving the office a much needed dose of mirth and hilarity. She breaks the tension at just the right time with a simple "can I have a steak sandwich and a steak sandwich" or "'57 Oldsmobuick" reference, making her an essential component to the storied agency.