How Meryl Draper of Quirk Creative, Owns It
This week on Own It we’re talking to Meryl Draper from Quirk Creative. She is truly global, leading a firm that has offices in New York, Guadalajara, and Paris, where she is based now.
Meryl spent time at iconic agencies and with impressive brands through the years including Ogilvy & Mather, MSL Group, Cisco, Blackboard, IBM and more. After co-founding Quirk Creative in 2015, she has guided the agency to Adweek’s Fastest Growing companies list. She’s also been recognized on AdWeek’s Creative 100, and The Drum’s 50 under 30.
She is impressive. So is her firm. And we loved her perspective on the industry and how we can help produce more women-led agencies … and women owned agencies … as we all continue to grow.
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Key Takeaways
EPISODE: Meryl Draper from Quirk Creative
1. Leaders don't have to fit a single mold | 00:09:01
Many aspiring leaders, especially women, feel pressured to conform to traditional leadership archetypes often portrayed in business media. However, leadership can manifest in diverse ways, and it's essential to find a style that genuinely aligns with one's comfort and personality. Being a leader doesn't necessarily mean being a boisterous public speaker; it can also mean being effective in one-on-one interactions or behind the scenes. This approach can lead to a more human-centered and less hierarchical work environment.
2. Efficiency is key in modern advertising | 00:14:47
The advertising industry has evolved significantly from the "Mad Men" era. Modern agencies must prioritize efficiency in content creation and campaign deployment. Meryl's experience at Ogilvy India, where campaigns were rapidly translated and localized for global markets, highlighted the importance of streamlined processes. This efficiency became a core hypothesis for Quirk Creative, emphasizing speed and cost-effectiveness, especially in video production, to meet the fast-paced demands of clients.
3. Women should give themselves permission to pursue business for personal gain | 00:30:40
A significant barrier for women entering business ownership is the internalized expectation to always serve others or have a grand, revolutionary vision. Meryl suggests that it's perfectly acceptable and empowering for women to start businesses for personal financial gain or individual aspirations, without needing a massive, world-changing goal from day one. This permission allows women to overcome self-imposed limitations and simply "start it," even if they feel unqualified initially.
4. The industry needs to track the impact of women-owned agencies | 00:32:06
As more women step into agency ownership, the industry will undoubtedly change, but the specifics of these changes are not yet fully understood. It's crucial to systematically track and collect data on how women-owned agencies influence workplace culture, management styles, and overall industry trends. This data will help identify and celebrate the positive shifts brought about by diverse leadership, ensuring that these contributions are recognized and integrated into future industry norms.
5. It's possible to maintain business ownership without day-to-day leadership | 00:40:26
Many business owners, particularly women, feel obligated to lead their ventures day-to-day indefinitely, often leading to burnout. Meryl's experience of stepping back from her CEO role at Quirk Creative while retaining ownership demonstrates that it's possible to bring in new leadership and energy without selling the company. This approach allows founders to continue their business's success and maintain involvement without the exhaustive demands of daily management, offering a valuable alternative to immediate acquisition.
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