Passive-Aggressive meets Aggressive-Aggressive

Brittany Kopeikin
Senior Copywriter Deutsch
 

Baroosh Q.
Art Director Deutsch Inc.
 

Tell us about you how you met and how long you’ve worked together?

We met at Deutsch and have been working together for about a year.

 

How would you describe relationship between you two? In what ways has the dynamic changed since you first began working together?

Passive-Aggressive meets Aggressive-Aggressive? Just kidding. We have a good balance and very fluid roles. There is a healthy overlap between what our super powers are i.e. writing vs. art direction. Both of us write and comp and image search and do whatever else is needed to get things done. It helps push the work and you really feel like a team.

The trust has evolved over time. We’ve learned to read each other so we know when to push and when to pull back.

 

Tell us about the first campaign you’ve worked on as a duo.

It was for an organization called Thorn. They help protect children from sexual abuse on digital platforms. 

 

Do you have a favorite campaign you’ve worked on together? What makes it special?

One of our favorite pieces of work wasn’t a campaign, but a small, absurd project that we had an incredible time working on. We live streamed a sloth named Paco on Tax Day for H&R Block to wrap up a very stressful tax season.

 

What has been the hardest part of working together? How do you resolve creative conflicts?

It’s all about open and honest communication. If one of us is really feeling an idea we will both support it 100% to bring it to life. If nothing else, at least one of us gets to say “I told you so” at some point!

The hardest part was getting used to how different our processes are, from ideating to execution we are opposite. But we’ve learned to play with the other’s strengths.

 

Is there any advice you’d give to young creatives looking for a partner, or a duo just getting their start?

Make sure you’re on the same page about the work you want to make and what you’re willing to do to get there. All it takes is shared interests and tastes to gel as a team, but if you don’t have shared goals, there will be conflict.

Also, be introspective. Know your weaknesses and communicate those with your partner so both of you help build each other up.

 

Do you have a dream account that you haven’t had the opportunity to work on yet?

Brittany: Anything inspirational. And sports.

Baroosh: [… crickets]. I have to think about that one.