Team Accord: James Grant, Production Executive
James plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless execution and timely delivery of our clients' print advertising campaigns.
What inspired you to join Accord?
My main inspiration for joining Accord (Conrad Advertising in the early 2000s), was my very good, and old friend, Leo Powell. He had been working here for some time, spoke very highly of the company, and thought it would be a good fit for me. Well, he was right as almost 20 years later, I'm still here and enjoying work. I had no prior advertising or marketing experience, so it was all new and exciting and the whole team and management guided and made me feel so welcome.
What is your role, and what do you enjoy most about it?
My role at Accord is Production Executive, so I oversee the production and delivery of our clients’ print advertising. There are many roles I enjoy within the position, like artworking and proof reading, as they challenge me creatively. However, I'm a people person, so I mainly enjoy working across many departments and with great colleagues here and externally. I am in daily contact with our Studio Designers, Account Managers and Directors, and Creative team, as well as clients and media contacts, many of whom I've known for a long time.
What project are you most proud of?
There have been many supplements we've worked on for our clients, but I'm most proud of our work on Blue Horizons. This is a direct mail, 50+ page magazine, of between 15-20 issues per year, which we helped design and deliver for our client Reader Offers Ltd. Besides all of the products advertised within the issues, we were constantly looking at new editorial features we could include, ranging from recipes, travel editorial pieces, crosswords and Sudoku puzzles.
And what do you find the most challenging?
This is easy, timelines and deadlines. We are constantly working to daily deadlines, so ensuring all of these are met can be a challenge.
What do you get up to in your spare time outside of work?
I have a few hobbies. I love cooking and am currently trying to perfect my vegetarian curry. I also love solving puzzles, making things and travelling, so am always happy with a 1,000-piece puzzle to do, crossword to attempt or Lego to build.
What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
Adaptability and enthusiasm. There are so many areas within Marketing, so try to be involved in as much as possible to broaden your knowledge and also find the area you enjoy working in the most.
If you could swap your role with anyone else in the company, who would it be?
An honourable mention to Maria Payne, our Chief Client Officer. I have been at the company long enough to see all the hard work she has put in over the years and as much as I'd like to say her, I'm not sure it's right for me.
So, instead I would have to say Paul Tulloch, our IT Manager or Richard Forster, our IT Support & Database Administrator. I love problem solving and data analysis and think these roles would really suit me. I am often in touch with them with all my IT problems and love the way they are able to solve them so quickly.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I've always said that I've walked the Earth so in a next life, if there is one, I'd love to swim the seas, or fly the skies. Not sure having gills is a superpower, so I'd have to pick flying, the speed and freedom really appeal to me.
What’s the most interesting book, podcast, or movie you’ve read/watched recently?
Can I take the liberty and pick one for each please:
Book - The Godfather. I love the genre and this book is written so well; it's one I keep going back to as it makes me feel transported to a different time.
Podcast - I will take my love for football and the NFL out of this and pick The Wolf & Owl podcast. I love anything Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis do, but love this one, as there is no real format, just two friends chatting away.
Movie - Let me go for a golden oldie, Stir Crazy. Richard Prior and Gene Wilder are geniuses; it's hilariously funny and very well acted.
TV Series - A few to mention, The Glory, Brothers Sun, Moving, The Wire, Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones..
What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?
I wouldn't say I have a bucket list, but I really like woodwork, so I'd have on my list making an outdoor table and chairs.
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James Grant
Delivering our client’s print campaigns to the highest standards of quality and efficiency, James is our Production Executive, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for organisation.
