The Deal

A Powerhouse Team

While waiting in line at Starbucks at 5th and 46th Lisa stares blankly ahead and asks, "Do you think our lives will change if we win?"

"Win what?" Eddie responded.

Lisa responded with a smirk on her face, "Win the deal, you idiot."

"Oh, well, yeah, from the standpoint that we'll get a huge bonus and be thought of as legends in the industry," Eddie said. "Lisa Filmore and Eddie Roberts, the brains behind Windom Marketing and Technology winning the largest digital marketing deal in history. Yeah, you're damn right our lives will change."

Windom Marketing and Technology (WMT) was one of the most successful digital marketing companies in America. Under Armor had star power like Tom Brady, Bryce Harper, and Steph Curry as endorsers but it was WMT that translated that star power into store traffic through their social media campaigns. Starbucks had the most addictive coffee in the world but its digital strategy was the impetus behind its staggering growth in North America. WMT was responsible for creating and implementing that Starbucks strategy. Airbnb was disrupting the whole lodging industry with its world changing online marketplace but their innovative video campaigns, crafted by WMT, were building unmatched mindshare and credibility. The prestigious client list at WMT went on and on.

The powerhouse firm was about to embark on the most ambitious business development pitch in its illustrious history. Soon the firm would be pitching for The Devon High Diamond Company's digital marketing campaign. DHD had burst onto the luxury jewellery scene just six years ago. Its diamonds and jewels came from a large privately held diamond mine in the Yukon, Northwest Territories of Canada. DHD was destroying Tiffany and Co. and other prominent heavy weights in the high end jewellery market. Their success started in Asia but now they had their eyes set on owning the North American market. They didn't understand social media or strategic online marketing but they knew a successful campaign would take them to the Promised Land. They needed a digital marketing campaign that was as different and bold as they were. At 7 years and close to $800 million it would be the largest digital marketing endeavor in history. WMT was determined to win this deal.

Lisa Filmore was executive vice president at WMT and their most senior account manager. A 27 year old superstar living in New York City, Lisa had it all - brains, beauty, and business sense. She stood at 5 feet 8 inches (5' 11'' with heels), lusciously thick brunette hair that went two inches beyond her shoulders and a fit yet feminine body that most women would die for. Lisa worked hard for that body. She was in the gym six times per week, 90 minutes every time. Never 89 minutes, never 91 minutes, always 90. The most powerful part of Lisa's beauty, however, was her smile. Her plump lips spread apart perfectly to reveal symmetrical, straight, and bright white teeth that could grace the cover of any Orthodontics magazine. When Lisa brought out the smile she had everyone in the palm of her hand.

As valuable as her physical assets were Lisa's most prized position was her brain. She was an Ivy School graduate like many other stars in the industry but that academic success was meaningless. It was her emotional intelligence that was off the charts. She knew people; she knew how to communicate with them; how to listen to them; how to manipulate them; how to love them; and how to make them love her. Lisa was leading the pitch for the DHD contract.

Eddie Roberts was a 26 year old powerhouse. He was formally educated at the Wharton School of Business but, just like Lisa, academics had nothing to do with his success. Eddie brought charm to his technical and business expertise. When you saw him you would expect a sly and slick talker. Instead you received a calm and confident professional who knew the answer to every possible question and every possible objection. While Lisa was beautiful, Eddie was gorgeous. His pristine black skin was flawless. His short hair was sculpted to perfection. At 6'2'', 195 lbs, Eddie's body was chiseled like a defensive back for the NFL's New York Giants. This guy made Blair Underwood look like an ogre. Eddie was one of the best dressed guys you would see walking around New York City. Some, mostly females, would physically stop and watch him walk as he passed by. He always wore a suit, custom fit, generously hugging his muscular physique. Sometimes it was an obnoxiously bold colored shirt underneath; sometimes it was a cleaver bow tie that only he could pull off. Stephanie Walters, WMT's chief financial officer, described Eddie's presence to a tee when she said, "Every time Eddie walks into a room the air evacuates the lungs of every female in that room and mini orgasms start happening everywhere." Eddie's domain expertise and knack for coming up with the perfect solution made him one of the most prized marketers in the country. Facebook wanted him, Google wanted him, and Apple wanted him, but WMT had him.

Eddie would be making the pitch to DHD along with Lisa. Together they were the most powerful pitch team in the land.