May 17th marks the 6th annual 32 Under 32 awards celebration. Dan Lescarbeau was a recipient of this honor in 2016. We caught up with Dan to see how this honor has influenced his career and to share some advice with our Ad 2 members.
Dan Lescarbeau
Director of Business Development at mcgarrybowen
What’s the most career-defining thing that’s happened since you won?
I’d like to think the most defining moments in my career haven’t happened yet! Soon after the 32 under 32, I got an opportunity to make a move to run new business development at mcgarrybowen’s Chicago office. It was certainly a big step in my life and career, but I’m really glad my wife Eden and I decided to make the move. It’s turned out to be an incredible learning experience. We’ll always love Minnesota, but it also feels good knowing we’ll never have to wonder what it would have been like if we’d never left home.
In terms of specific accomplishments since I’ve been here at mcgarrybowen, winning the American Express account was really great for our agency and by far the biggest win of my career. The business itself was covered in the trades as being won “without a pitch,” but it felt like we worked on it day and night for a year!
What advice do you have for the upcoming class?
The best advice I ever received was actually on a poster in my favorite high school teacher’s Marketing Strategies classroom wall. WORK HARD AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE. Mrs. Brettingen would be happy to know I now have a print of that poster on my desk!
Also, hang out with people smarter than yourself. Make introductions and connections between your network. Listen more than you talk, learn by observing, and try to always say yes.
What’s your go-to move at a networking event or in a new biz pitch?
My mentor and former boss at mono told me the first thing to do when an opportunity arises: Ask yourself “what’s it going to take to win?” and really give it some thought. Then, of course, it’s off to the races and the crazy pace that is the pitch, but if you really take the time to figure out your advantage over the competition, it ends up being the foundation for an effective strategic plan to get the win.
What’s a habit that you picked up that helped your career?
Answer every single email. No matter what. Never leave anyone hanging.
Stay on top of trends. I keep my eye on Mashable, TechCruch, Ad Age, Agency Spy, and I created Google Alerts for my target clients. Get to know their business; their business is your business.
What’s the best conversation you’ve had at a networking event / what was the outcome?
Networking is really fun if you learn to love it. Jim Scott at mono told me the most important thing to be good at is telling your agency’s story. When you know what your agency has to offer and what makes them different like the back of your hand, you never have to sell. You just have to talk!
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment so far has been helping to mentor young people who weren’t exposed to this awesome business growing up. I had a great experience with The BrandLab in Minneapolis, and am extremely excited about playing a small role in helping my friends there expand to Chicago. It’s such an amazingly beneficial organization for all involved, and it makes me happy that our industry is getting more diverse every day as a result of their hard work!
We hope you’ll join Dan at the #32under32 awards at the Varsity Theater on May 17, 2018. Tickets available soon.
The post #32Under32 Spotlight: Dan Lescarbeau appeared first on AdFed.