One of the benefits of being in advertising is you sometimes get to work with celebrities.
Some of the guys here are in the middle of producing an awesome spot for one of our clients - the story of a little boy who, among other things, listens to a Cubs game on the radio as he rides his bike.
Naturally, the guys need to get Cubs "game banter" recorded to play on the kid's radio.
Yesterday, mostly Red Sox fan (and the writer of the spot) Mike Piro comes in my office looking for a blue Sharpie.
Didn't say why.
And Olson, he happens to be the producer.
He comes by today and breathlessly tells me he's going to go RECORD PAT AND RON for the soundtrack.
Then I knew why Piro needed the blue sharpie.
Immediately I ask, "Can you get me an autograph?"
But I know the answer because I've been in Olson's shoes before: NO.
With celebs, you've got one chance and limited time, you have a job to do well, and anything beyond that is gravy.
Your gravy.
So, I understand and besides I'm busy.
Little bit later, John Siebert sticks his head in my door - John is creative directing this spot.
"What are you doing for the next half hour?"
Oh man, I just got permission to GO!
I had stuff to do, so I told him I'm out of here in 15 minutes.
Takes me longer than I think, but as I'm leaving I remember that I have the original of the last illustration that went in VINELINE - the one where the subject is Pat's famous home run call!
I grab it and run.
At the recording studio, I have to wait for an elevator.
And wait and wait.
Crap.
I missed them for sure.
The doors open and there stands Ron and Pat.
"Ron and Pat!" I say like an idiot.
"Uh, can I shake your hands?" and then I don't know what I said - I babbled.
I pointed to the magazine and told them I do those illustrations, and then I pulled out the original and a pen and...asked them to sign.
They were both the nicest guys you can imagine.
I was the dork.
Anyway, thank you John, Olson, and Piro - that was truly cool.
One day in here I'll tell the Morgan Freeman story where I make a complete boob out of myself.
