Week of Engagement

My 3rd week in Weber was quite something I'll never forget. I felt so important when my boss called me into his office to join him and one of Weber Shandwick's Accounts Associate for a brainstorming session last Tuesday. I wracked my brains up for something big to meet the needs of one of Weber Shandwick's clients. I felt so important since they actually considered my ideas for an event that they will organize for their esteemed client.

Brainstorming is really needed when you want to come up with a big idea. I realized that it’s so much better when you’re always in the know and when you’re well read. It pays to have an events management background as well as I was able to suggest an event concept for a specific public.

I really like how they make us feel important in Weber Shandwick. On Monday, we're actually going to Bb. Pilipinas send off. In preparation, they let us cut name tags for the press.

I felt so good since our superiors value our contributions to the company. We did a pitch last Friday and brainstormed with the directors. But the highlight of it all was when Weber Shandwick's President and CEO, Atty. Mike Toledo, introduced himself to us interns.

I was flabbergasted as he shook hands with me. He's so much of a man being a lawyer, journalist, media personality, legal and financial consultant of private companies and government-owned corporations, and being a former Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson during the Estrada administration.

He called us to his office and made time to get to know us. He shared a few things about himself and his colleagues that came from our very own College of Mass Communications. I was so astonished coz he simply commands attention. You're drawn to listen to him coz he simply has this different quality in his character.

He treated us to dinner in Barcino, Greenbelt to formally welcome us to Weber Shandwick. To keep us company, Sir Luigi (Director for Operations) was also there with us. I deeply appreciated their getting to know us. We ate good food and drank wine while talking about UP (since Atty. Mike's from UP also). He joked a lot and shared a lot of things about school and about life and I thought to myself, wow, this is rubbing elbows with Weber Shandwick’s President and CEO.

The interns in Barcino, with Atty. Mike Toledo (In white) and Sir Luigi Avancena (In grey)

Although it occurred to me that the whole thing was PR itself, I didn't mind. I realized how it served as a blueprint of how they actually get clients. They get to know them and their needs, engage and build relationships with them by communicating well with them and creating bonds thereby giving them utmost importance.

L-R: Sir Luigi, Nina, Kara, Atty. Mike and I

I really enjoyed the experience. It’s definitely worthwhile and unforgettable.