Industry profile: Sarah Leftwich

Posted on 24. Jun, 2010 by admin in Personality Profiles

 
 
Director and Executive Producer, Employee Engagement at Blue Moon Corporate Communications

Sarah Leftwich is a driven woman, big on the detail but with an eye for the big picture. Effervescent and bubbly, Sarah studied drama at Wits before starting her long love affair with producing indelible experiences in the events industry. She has been with Blue Moon for the last 11 years and loves the challenges; despairs of but revels in the constant deadlines that characterise her portfolio. By her own admission, she is something of a control freak as all great producers are and if she had to have a theme song it would be “10 seconds to a Nervous Breakdown” by Prime Circle!

 
 
 
 
 
• What’s a typical workday for you?

There’s no such thing – no two days are ever the same! One day I’m in meetings with clients discussing a strategically positioned two year communication plan and the next day I’m drafting production schedules or campaign budgets. Or liaising with designers and writers, sitting in a recording studio or setting up an event – great fun!

• What do you enjoy most about your portfolio?

All our clients are in different businesses in different industries, and each company’s culture is totally unique so, although I’ve been at Blue Moon for eleven years, I feel like I am always learning something new.

• How do you handle work stresses?

Blue Moon is an extremely collaborative environment filled with wonderful people so that even when everyone is at their most stressed, there is always someone offering help so that you never feel alone in it.
Then there are lists – for myself, my team and sometimes even clients. My family is less responsive to them though!

I also try to ensure that even though I might work late every weeknight, weekends are sacrosanct – time for family and friends which is the best way to de-stress. Tequila works quite well too.

• What has been your biggest professional challenge?

There have been quite a few along the way which is probably why I am still there. Eight years ago, Blue Moon shifted focus from once-off events and theatre into long term sustained employee engagement campaigns. The first campaign was a huge challenge but one of the best learning curves of my life.

More recently, I have shifted into a management role. Sadly, I’m a bit of a control freak so I’m very happy managing a project but not quite as comfortable managing people (all extremely competent and running their own projects I might add) so it has been quite an adjustment letting them get on with it their way!

• What is your No 1 industry peeve?

Cruisers. Everyone in this business works very hard indeed so the people who are in it for the imagined glamour and aren’t prepared to put in time and effort to gain experience should move on.

• What are the favorite brands that you cannot live without?

Apple for the iPod, Lindt for the chocolate, Patron for the tequila and Woolworths for everything else.

• How do you relax?

Horizontally with a book in my hand.

• What’s your chosen way to communicate with family and friends, (mobile, social networking pages like Facebook, Skype, emails, fixed lined telephone)?

Mobile (my phone bill is ridiculous) for family and close friends, Skype for the out-of-towners, Facebook for the quick catch ups and to stay up to date with what people are up to.

• What’s a favorite local holiday destination?

Zinkwazi on the North coast is my current favourite – beautiful beaches, out of town but not too remote. Failing that, Joburg in December is fabulous.

• What’s your idea of a relaxing Sunday morning?

Sleep late (if kids, hadedas and dogs allow), good coffee and nowhere to go but the couch with the Sunday Times.

• Which are your favorite must-have printed media titles?

I don’t really have one – I prefer to get my teeth into a fat book.

• Do you have a favorite online site?

Google’s the default and Wikipedia even though I know they might be talking rot some of the time.

• What’s your best dining out venue?

We’re thankfully nearly done with Spur. Espresso in Parkhurst, Doppio Zero in Greenside and anywhere that serves good seafood.

Tags: Features