Date Thursday 2 February Time 9.30pm
My thoughts and reflections:
Yesterday’s Business Development meeting was short and shouty. Harry Piles keeping saying, ‘It’s my job on the line, people. Let’s pull it out of the fucking bag.’
I really tried, because, having looked up my equivalent at Montague, I knew I was going to be needing a really good reference soon.
‘Harry, completely appreciate why you love the branding and history and kudos associated with the Discover series’ – I don’t – ‘and obviously you know what sells’ – he doesn’t – ‘so I had the thought that we could maybe come up with some new content?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, we could use this as an opportunity to expand, refine, include some new titles. Like, Discover Mindfulness? Or—’
‘Horrible idea, Alison. What about Discover My Cock. Come on. This isn’t some leaflet series for the doctor’s surgery.’
Gentle Jadan from Design visibly shook his head and Harry asked him what the problem was.
Gentle Jadan said he wasn’t comfortable with aggressive sexualised language in the workplace.
There was a moment of silence and then Harry told everyone he’d been asked to fill in 360s by the end of the month and so it was time for our best work.
I was going to say thank you to Gentle Jadan afterwards, but he disappeared quite quickly, so I asked Drunk Stephen to pass it on.
I pointed out that Harry Piles was so dense he didn’t seem to understand the concept of a 360 and he had better hope no one from this outside company coming in to ‘quality assure’ decided to conduct an interview with Gentle Jadan.
But Drunk Stephen didn’t seem as convinced.
‘They all know each other, these people,’ he said.
‘What’s the bet Harry Piles somehow makes the grade, despite everything? ’
I am grateful for:
Gentle Jadan from Design
Sex with GC on Tuesday – and he didn’t call me a car for a full half an hour afterwards this time so that’s progress.