Melanie Trombly shares a healthy dose of energy and experience, both production and agency side; tune in for an interesting discussion covering the creative call, snail-mail, and serendipitous dogs on Instagram!   Key Takeaways [:55] Heather introduces Melanie Trombly and asks her to share how she made her way into art production from touring and selling t-shirts to catalog houses — Melanie includes some tidbits about her stint in New Zealand working in a warehouse and as a tiler! [6:04] Melanie touches on the changes she has been seeing in the industry starting with the introduction of CGI, which leads to a conversation on the benefits of knowing the many facets of production in your agency. [11:42] Melanie speaks to the importance of communication when it comes to bids; she shares the process at her agency and touches on the client education she has to do. [17:30] The creative call is so important, Melanie shares her experience of a bad one as well as how she tries to make sure everyone has the right information in hand. She also shares if and when a rep should be on the creative calls. Heather and Melanie share what they each think is critical to happen in a call. [25:] What catches a creative’s eye? Treatments are something Melanie tries to only use if absolutely necessary, but she will ask for mood boards and additional images to share with her creative. [30:30] Melanie is one of those people who love snail-mail. Her experience with agency firewalls and important emails getting put in the spam folder has been terrible! She touches on portfolio shows and other resources she uses to research photographers. [36:14] Instagram is a tool that Melanie loves but make sure it’s interesting and updated. She will accept follows if she has met you — and meeting in person is super important. [40:43] If Melanie wasn’t doing this, what would she be doing? [41:15] Heather thanks Melanie for coming on the podcast, and invites listeners to tune in for the next episode.   Thanks for listening.   In an industry where the rules are always changing, it’s helpful to hear from those on the front line. Heather Elder is the visionary behind NotesFromARep’sJournal.com; visit her website for industry updates, stunning photography and video, and the artists behind the work.   Mentioned in this episode VSA Partners, Chicago BlinkBid   More about your host Heather Elder’s Bio Heather Elder’s Blog Heather Elder on Instagram Heather Elder on Twitter Heather Elder on LinkedIn Heather Elder on Facebook   More about today’s guest Melanie Trombley on LinkedIn