A Day in the Life of Scarlett Montanaro
18 Feet & Rising's newest creative on maintaining her caffeine high, munching through client-sent treats and managing social-led passion projects all in a day's work.
09.05: So, this is where I lay my cards on the table. I am a coffee wanker and I’ve come to terms with it. I start my day with a filter coffee fix.
09.15: General busy work gets underway while I flood my body with caffeine and oats. Anything more than general busy work this early in the day would be a futile endeavour, I’ve learnt this now. I faff about until my brain kicks into gear at around 10:00am.
10.45: Off to a meeting with Outsider. It’s amazing being based in Soho because it means we’re in strutting distance of all the important production houses. Today we’re going to a PPM for our latest ClearScore ads. They’re going to be the bloody hilarious and I cannot wait to see them finished!
13.00: Desk salad :( January is so dull.
13.15: ALL IS NOT LOST, OUR CLIENT SENT US POPCHIPS TO MAKE OUR TRAGIC DESK SALADS LESS TRAGIC!
14.30: After lunch, I have a meeting with a kick-ass girl team about our latest House of Fraser work. I’ve only just started at 18 Feet and Rising and it’s been a very unusual experience to walk into a creative department which is not only led by an awesome woman but is 50/50 throughout. I honestly didn’t think it would make such a noticeable difference but it really does. It’s a great environment to be a part of.
16.00: My laptop is sucking all the creative juices from my body. I am more prune than human. It’s time for a change of scenery and some good old fashion pen and paper. Oh, and an oat milk flat white. It all helps when you’re brainstorming script ideas for an amazing new client. I won’t lie, the ideas don’t always flow as freely as the coffee…
17.00: My side project, CRACK + CIDER, is launching in Bournemouth this evening so five hours of travel there and back commences now. It’s a ball ache but there was absolutely no way I was going to miss this!
19.30: CRACK + CIDER sells essential items for homeless people. In London, we focus on winter warmers because our homeless community faces the reality of having to survive the night on the streets. In Bournemouth however, their much more manageable (yet wildly increasing) homeless population is more likely to access temporary housing or hostels. Whilst they may have a roof, they have nothing else. I love how the Bournemouth team have discovered this insight and have adapted our shop with all sort of items to help homeless people on their journey including this kitchen starter pack.
21.00: The event sold out, the vibe was amazing and I met some incredible people. Stephen Robertson, CEO of The Big Issue Foundation and former Bournemouth resident, came and spoke. He’s been a great supporter of our work so, all in all, I’m calling it a huge success. And now I’m embarking on the three hours journey back to London with a smile on my face.
