Describe your job.
Being a comms planner means helping ideas break through, working with creative teams to scale their ideas, and figuring out where and when to put the work out so it's noticed and understood. Part of the job is also inspiring the teams, keeping them up to date on what's happening with media and technology so the work takes advantage of the latest & greatest. It's also my job to be wrong—to say the really bad ideas out loud to help spur the best ideas from the people who are actually good at ideas.
Essential Amsterdam:
Every month I like to go to the Maker Market at De Hallen to see what Amsterdam's creators are cooking up. You can find everything from candles to butter to jewelry, it all depends on who's being featured. After you shop, swing into Foodhallen for Baowowow steamed buns or any of the other amazing food stands. You can't go wrong unless you order nothing. Pro tip: go early to avoid the lines. Fancy a tipple? Razmataz on the Hugo de Grootplein has a lengthy G&T menu and recently added a little black book of Negronis.
What has inspired you lately?
Not a what, but a who-my friend (and former colleague) recently quit her job to travel and do some other things for herself, and while I won't be quitting anytime soon, she's definitely inspired me to make sure I'm taking time for myself.
What do you do when you’re stuck?
It's scientifically proven we have our best ideas when the dopamine is flowing—which means relaxing and unfocusing your mind on the problem (don't worry, your brain will still be working on it in the background). I either 1) pop open some rosé with colleagues, 2) put some music on and take a walk along the canals or 3) put a pin in it, knowing I'll have a eureka moment in the shower at home.
What would you like to plug?
As an American, even though I live abroad, I have to encourage donations to the ACLU. The rights of U.S. citizens, refugees and law-abiding immigrants are being challenged every day and organizations like the ACLU need our support to continue defending those rights.
