This is an exit.

Well it’s here. My last day at Dashboard. I’ve been here at one of Canada’s top digital advertising agencies for the last 3 years. During  this time I’ve had opportunities here at Dashboard that would never have been afforded to me at other Agencies. I was able to spearhead our Social Media initiatives and lead Social Media and Digital Strategy for many of our clients. I was able to help launch this very blog and run it for the last two years or so. I got exposure to clients, pitches and projects usually reserved for more seasoned and senior staff members. Barry and the leadership team trusted me and my abilities and really helped me grow and learn at an accelerated pace.

Dashboard truly is a family and it shows in how we care, fight, and enjoy each other’s company.  My time here at Dashboard has had its ups and downs like in any other job. However, there were far more ups working with the amazing motley crew that is Dashboard. For personal and professional reasons I have decided  it’s time for this cowboy to be movin’ on. But, before I go I have a few things to say about Dashboard and the great folks who make it what it is.

The Account team. No order takers here. None. There are a lot of jokes about account people being yes men and wearing knee pads. Those don’t apply to the fine account team at Dashboard led by Gayle. They have a knack for taking everyone’s needs in to consideration from the clients, to creative, to the development team. And they’re not afraid to voice their opinion if they feel strongly against an idea, decision or request. They are thinkers and doers that push to achieve great work and that comes straight from Gayle downwards.

The Creative’s, led by the talented Julie and Catherine. I am grateful to have been able to work directly with each and everyone on the creative team. You let me into your brainstorms, bounced ideas off me and really included me as part of your process.  For this I thank you. The creative force from this team really spills into all corners of Dashboard. Creative thinking comes from everyone and the lack of ego in  this department really allows this to happen.

The Developers. Many developers have what I call “can’t-itis”. Can’t-itis usually occurs when a creative, planner, account person, or client has a request  and the developer simply says “can’t” followed by either “do it”, “be done”, “handle it”.  It really is a crushing disease that stifles creativity and kills great ideas on the spot. In my three years at Dashboard I’ve never, ever seen a single sign of can’t-itis. These guys attack everything. They take on daunting tasks as personal challenges and deliver time and time again. They usually are the ones who get screwed out of long weekend, family dinners, and social outings, all in the name of getting it done and done right. Ralph and his team work hard. Who else could have built The Grid in less than a month?

Barry, Daryl and the leadership team. I started here in 2008 right in the middle of our last market crash.  I watched as so many lost their jobs in this industry, yet Dashboard stayed strong. Sure we lost a few but not in the numbers other much larger agencies were laying off.  Thanks in no small part to Barry, Daryl and the leadership team  for holding fast, being loyal and truly caring about the employees we emerged relatively unscathed.  For this,  a tip of the hat goes to you.  I could go on and on about Barry and the leadership team and the impact they have had on my development but we have a word count limit on here.

Dashboard. We’ve laughed, we’ve fought, we’ve partied, we’ve had fun, we’ve worked hard. I’ll miss all of this and all of you. I’ll be seeing you all around (Charlotte room?) sooner rather than later. This is an exit, not a goodbye.

-Adam