So the Democratic National convention kicked off this week in Denver. The first day alone was very eventful when it came to the press surrounding the conference. With the lovely speech that Michelle Obama did and her two little girls joining her on stage to say hello to their father via satellite. Followed by the speech from Vice President Candidate Sen. Joe Biden. Nothing compares to the flooding of the Fox News skybox at the Pepsi Center. I’m telling you this was planned by some rookie out to prove a point. But it didn’t stop there! Outside the DNC there were protestors marching to end the war. People from all parties joined in this walk to fight against the war in Iraq. So much so that there was talk of a repeat of the Protest of ’68 at the Chicago DNC. I caught wind of an interesting situation that a reporter from Fox News put himself in during the beginning of the protest. The reporter, Griff Jenkins, decided to jump to the front of the march and stand in the middle asking question to the protestors walking by. You know, maybe it’s just me but I don’t think Griff did his research when it came to the feelings towards the Fox Network from certain parties. Due to this lack of research he made himself look like quiet a fool asking question to the passer-bys. Hey got a lot of “I’m not going to talk to you” and “F* yous” which he responded with “What you don’t believe in Freedom of Speech.” Not too smart Griff. The crowd responded with a nice chanting of “F*#k Fox News!” Poor Griff had to quickly cut back to the news room since they happened to be LIVE!

So this news reporter’s lack of research involved in the feelings and emotions mixed up in a protest didn’t do him any favors. I encourage all on my candidates to do their research about an agency that I am submitting them too. Not only is it going to give you a great edge while interviewing because you’ll be able to ask questions so that they know your interested in the job. But also because you want to know if this really is the company that you want to be at for the next few years. Will you fit in to the culture? Are they creative enough for you? Maybe they are too laid back and you want something a little more “grown-up.” Either way learn about an agency before you have me submit you to work there.

I recently worked with a guy that really thought this opportunity was going to be a great change for him. To his surprise after doing his research he had to step back and take a second look. The company seemed like a great hit when it came to politics since he was a raging liberal (his words not mine). But the agency seemed like it wasn’t creative enough for his taste. So the search goes on and I have a better idea of what he is looking for.

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