We are so thrilled to be launching our first HERlarious event on Tuesday 9th October hosted by leading advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty. This is an exciting interactive evening of workshops and panel discussions bringing together comedy and creativity.
We’ve had a bit of help and support to get this event going from two of the smartest young female creatives on the scene, Daze & Orla, aka Orla O’Connor and Daisy Bard, who took time out to talk to us about how they become a creative ‘double act’ at the agency. We caught up with them for a quick chat about how they came together.
Funny Women: How did you get where you are today?
Daze: I went to uni wanting to write comedy, got sidetracked studying languages, producing and directing. I went to a portfolio school fresh from a year writing copy for a startup social app (RIP Wistla. You had great ping pong tables). I always wrote on the side but now I’m finally getting that sweet sweet dolla for it.
Orla: I was always arty and dyslexic (Daze proofed this), so I knew the academic life was not for me. I studied advertising at uni and then, realising the history of advertising was not a useful start to actually being creative, went to a portfolio school where I met my work wife Daze and we rode into the sunset i.e. non-stable ‘employment’.
FW: What motivates you to go to work every day?
D&O: The hope that we’ll get to write something good. Not necessarily something that the client buys, but that makes our creative director laugh. That’s the gold we’re after.
FW: What or who makes you laugh and why?
Daze: I’m a lil comedy nerd, so lots of stuff. I have a soft spot for warm-hearted US sitcoms like 30 Rock and Parks and Rec, but I’ll watch pretty much anything. Jimothy Lacoste is my current lolz internet crush.
Orla: People falling over.
FW: What is your best ‘top tip’ for being a female creative in what remains a largely masculine environment?
D&O: Be ACTIVE and ask for briefs that have nothing to do with babies and/or beauty. Most people are up for giving you more interesting stuff, they just may not initially think of it because of *serious voice* patriarchal conditioning.
Also, get you a female role model who can do both – she’ll understand what you’re going through and give you something to aim towards. Shout out to Caitlin Breeze, our mentor at Saatchi who has helped us no end.
Book now for HERlarious – full price tickets £30 plus booking fee. discounted deals for members of SheSays, Creative Equals and Young Creative Council, student and intern rates available. Contact us for details of our supporting Agency Package – creatives@funnywomen.com on info@funnywomen.com. More details about the day here.
