You two know each other? Vivian shot a questioning glance over her shoulder, clearly displeased that Joss hadnt armed her with all pertinent data.
I had the privilege of working with her sister at Mitman, Hugh answered, flashing one of his patented charming grins at Josss mom. She didnt tell me she had a sister.
As the smiling and portly Stanley Patonewhoever he wasgot to his feet, Vivian shook her head. Young man, do I look like someone whos easily won over with glib flattery?
Easily won over? Vivian McBride? Ha. Suddenly Joss regretted never having brought Hugh to a Sunday brunch. It would be fun to see him squirm.
Unfortunately, being Hugh, he didnt.
Instead, he grinned. No, maam, but it was worth a shot. If youre anything like your daughter, I need all the help I can get.
Vivian actually chuckled before turning to Stanley, taking his hand in hers. Its so nice to see you again. Perhaps you dont remember, but we met briefly
At the Fosters garden party in June, the man finished for her. With his self-conscious expression and a bulky-knit sweater that exaggerated, rather than flattered, his girth, Stanley Patone was less polished and more endearing than Vivs usual Important People. How could I forget? The mosquitoes were Jurassic-size, but you were enchanting.
Arent you a dear! Allow me to introduce my daughter, Jocelyn McBride. As Joss shook Stanleys hand, Vivian added, This is Stanley Patone. Of Patone Power Tools.
Any chance they made wallpaper steamers? Joss nodded obligingly. Of course. Nice to meet you.
Stanley sighed. Youve never heard of us, have you? No, its okay. Too few people have, but Hugh here tells me he can change all that.
Next to her, she noticed Hugh fidget. Clearly, Stanley was teetering on the brink of an ad mans worst nightmarethe prospective client letting another agency know he was looking.
Regaining his composure, Hugh smiled smoothly. Its practically criminal to be sitting in here on such a gorgeous Sunday morning talking business, I know, but Im afraid thats what were doing. Were grateful you lovely ladies stopped by and broke up the monotony, though.
Translation: You should be going now, but really, you wouldnt want to stay anyway because our conversation is dreadfully boring. The man didnt know who he was dealing with.
With a wide isnt-this-a-small-world smile, Vivian placed her hand on Stanleys arm. You know, Jocelyns in advertising, as well. Shes building that up-and-coming Visions Media Group.
Joss winced inwardly at her mothers version of the truth, which ignored the fact Wyatt Allen had been steadily growing his respected company long before Joss arrived, needing a job after the Mitman fiasco. She did her part, certainly, but she couldnt take single-handed credit for the success Wyatt had been seeding for years.
Stanley gestured toward the two empty chairs. Weve neglected our manners. You will join us, wont you?
Absolutely! Vivian stepped around the power-tool purveyor to squeeze into the far chair against the wall. It would be our pleasure.
Joss fully expected Hugh to fume over this turn of events, but when she glanced his direction, he looked almost amused.
Allow me. He pulled her chair out, which would have worked better if she hadnt been trapped between Hugh and the chair. You smell great. Dior?
She nodded.
I always loved that perfume on you, he murmured as he helped seat her. You remember the night
So whats good here? Joss asked heartily. She remembered many nights. And wanted to discuss none of them.
Vivian stared across the table as though her daughter had grown another headone with last years haircut. Jocelyn, I thought you said youd been here. Often.
Y-yes. But not in a long time. Maybe the menus changed? Avoiding Hughs gaze and what was sure to be a smirk, Joss edged her chair closer to Stanleys side of the table.
A discreet beeping came from inside Vivians handbagnone of this belting out Beethovens Fifth for her, thank you very muchand she smiled in apology. I know its horrid of me to keep the cell on during a meal, but one of my properties is in a bidding war, and the buyers have until six oclock this evening to outdo each other. Jocelyn, just order for me, wont you?
Great. Because she so needed the added pressure of potentially screwing that up. But by the time water glasses had been shuffled and the waitress had come by to add the newcomers to the ticket, Joss had regained her composure. As long as she focused on Stanley, shed be fine. She listened intently while he filled her in on his company.
We were the house brand for Tucker Home and Hardware for ten years, and turned an extremely lucrative profit, Stanley explained. Extremely lucrative certainly clarified her mothers interest in the man. But Tuckers management didnt fare as well, so when the chain folded, Patone became its own line. Were free to sell everywhere now, but that wont do us any good if no one knows who we are. We dont have nearly the name recognition of, say, Black & Decker.
Joss nodded. So youre looking for marketing solutions?
And solutions he will have, Hugh promised. Ive been brainstorming with some of the best minds in our creative team all week. He might not look actively furious about her intrusion, but he was definitely sending out a back-away-from-the-client vibe. With any luck, this time next year, Ill be taking home an ADster for the work that brought Patone to the forefront of consumer consciousness.
Josss jaw clenched at the dig. She hadnt crashed Hughs brunch with the intention of preying on his clientnot that she had enough information on Stanley to bid for his business yet, anywaybut she didnt have to help Hugh win the account for himself, either. Mr. Patone
Stanley, please.
I just had an interesting thought. What about a female ad executive? If you go with Kimmerman, Im sure Hugh can recommend someone wonderful.
Hugh folded his arms across his chest. Interesting is one word for it.
She kept her attention on Stanley. Most power-tool consumers are men, and you, the manufacturers, are all competing for the same buyers. But imagine if your campaign was aimed at women. Bring in that market, and youre a leg up on the competition already.
Under his breath, Hugh mumbled something about ads in pink fonts, but not loudly enough to alienate his potential client. We can certainly explore that idea if youre interested, Stanley, but I have to say, ignoring your target market is risky at best. Practically speaking, how many women do we think spend their disposable income on power tools?
He turned to Joss, his eyebrows raised in an expression of mild curiosity. You, for instance, just as a demographic example. Would you know the difference between a skill saw and a reciprocating saw?
One of the fundamental rules of gunning for an account was demonstrating familiarity with the product, and everyone at the table knew Joss had never heard of Patone before today. Hughs attempt to discredit her was simple, but delicately handled. An allout assault on her credentials would seem like bullying, and besides, she sensed he saw her more as an annoyance than a real threat to be feared.
No, I guess Im not the reigning expert on saws. Or drills, or wrenches. Eyes innocently wide, she smiled at Hugh. I admit it. When people think tool, youre what comes to mind.
No, I guess Im not the reigning expert on saws. Or drills, or wrenches. Eyes innocently wide, she smiled at Hugh. I admit it. When people think tool, youre what comes to mind.
He blinked, and she turned away quickly, appealing to Stanley. But I did spend hours yesterday in home-improvement stores and can give you a females perspective, if youre interested. I can also tell you that the popularity of home-makeover shows can be used to attract women.
She outlined a few of her thoughts, expounding on how and why women could be a valuable asset, especially when they were Christmas and birthday shopping for the men in their lives.
Vivian returned to the table, zipping her cell phone back into her purse. What did I miss?
Ever charming, Hugh rose to pull her chair out, but his smile was strained. Joss has been sharing herwonderful ideas.
Smiling inwardly, Joss cast a small sidelong glance in Hughs direction. Do you fear me now? Good.
After the food arrived, all talk of anything requiring power cords and drill bits was put on hold, and Vivian genteelly monopolized conversation with real estate anecdotes. But when the check came, she reverted immediately to their earlier topic. You should take Josss card with you.
Joss almost flinched. As much as she wanted to succeed, especially if she beat Hugh in the process, there was something a little embarrassing about being twenty-eight and having your mother try to direct your business endeavors.
But Stanley was nodding. I had already planned to ask. Young lady, you had some terrific ideas, and Ill be in touch with you this week.
Avoiding Hughs gaze, she reached for her purse. Despite the few times this morning shed wanted to cringe over Vivians help, Joss would be thrilled to have Stanley as a client. After everything that had happened in the past weekbeing told over a breakfast her agency had paid for that Neely-Richards was going with someone else, dealing with the EWA agent, not winning an ADsterJoss craved that adrenalized buzz of feeling like a winner.
Id love to hear from you, she told Stanley. It was a pleasure meeting you.
Shed intended to tackle her kitchen wall today, but now she was torn. It ate at her to be surrounded by unfinished projects, but maybe her time was better spent researching and working up ideas for Patone instead. When Stanley called, she would be ready. What a coup it would be for Visions to sign him out from under Kimmerman!
Although Wyatt had assured her he wasnt disappointed with the second-place standing Friday night, her boss had been uncharacteristically subdued. Joss loathed the sensation of having let someone down, and this was her chance to make it up to him. She couldnt wait to get to work Monday morning.
In hindsight, shed been in a slump lately, but her luck was about to change. She just knew it.