I sort by sender first, quickly deleting the obvious junk. Then, the several emails from Amelia about upcoming projects, which I flagged to read carefully later.
I'm halfway through when one subject line stops my scrolling cold.
I freeze, staring at the screen. The sender is Judith Keller, VP of Marketing at Apex Sports—one of the biggest athletics brands in the country.
Subject line: RE: Interest in Your Joint Proposal.
My heart races as I click it open.
Dear Ms. Whitaker,
I wanted to follow up after receiving Mr. Montgomery's email with the exceptional joint presentation that was attached before the holiday break. Your collaborative approach to the Apex Sports rebrand for our winter sports line was impressive, particularly the strategy connecting everyday athletes to professional experiences.
I'd like to discuss the possibility of Titan Marketing Group handling our complete brand refresh in Q2. We're especially interested in the experiential marketing concept you both pitched. Please let me know your availability for a meeting when you return from holiday break.
Best regards,
Judith Keller
VP of Marketing, Apex Sports
"Holy shit," I scream, adrenaline buzzing through me.
Apex Sports ishuge. Landing them would be the biggest account I've ever handled, the kind of client that makes careers. And Judith specificallymentioned ourjointproposal. The one Bash and I worked on late one night at the office before the trip, when things were still tense between us.
I grab my phone and type furiously.
SEBASTIAN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY DID YOU PITCH OUR JOINT PROPOSAL TO APEX BEFORE WE LEFT???
I wait, staring at my phone, but there's no immediate reply. He probably put his phone in his gym bag. Then three dots appear, then disappear, then reappear, then disappear again, then reappear.
Surprise?
Bash
YOU GOT US A MEETING WITH JUDITH FUCKING KELLER?!
Actually, YOU got us the meeting. I just presented our ideas. They loved your experiential concept. I was going to tell you tonight.
Bash
I can't believe this. I'd spent months trying to get Apex's attention through traditional channels with no luck. And Bash just... made it happen.
Me? How?? When???
Remember when I had that "client meeting" the day before we left? I ran into Judith at a sports marketing conference a few months back and she gave me her personal email. I convinced her to give us fifteen minutes.
Bash
And you didn'tTELL ME?
I didn't want to get your hopes up if they hated it. Plus, you were stressed about the trip.
Are you mad?
Bash
I laugh out loud, flopping back against the couch cushions.
