It never fails to amaze me the amount of time we each spend at 421 Seventh Avenue. Our recent office remodeling meant long hours and weekend sessions. I think we are all pretty pleased with the result. The positive energy surrounding the space (which is a product of us, as much as it is a fuel) brings us all in, even when we are working on personal projects. At 11:30PM on a Saturday it is not uncommon for me to come to the office seeking a creative hideaway, only to find one or more Fifth Column members developing ideas, planning for the future of the company or simply talking about music, comic books or film.

Each of us has found a second home at this office. It explains why we so desperately wanted the desk lamps to match the faux-window trim. Our hearts are as invested as our bodies are in our swiveling desk chairs.

I am the newest addition to Fifth Column. I’ve worked with Sean and Cordy as early as the Nike and Berlitz spec commercials, but only in the past few months has it become my office as well, with a desk for me and ears eager to listen to my words. I often compare Sean and Cordy to my peers. Many have ended up as assistants at large corporations. I myself even attempted that route. Here, Cordy and Sean have surpassed them. They are small business owners. From every day office managerial tasks to on set direction and production, they have succeeded in what many desire but will not ever be capable of. Yes, it is a struggle, but with the heart each of us brings we have created, in essence, a family run boutique agency. What seals the deal for me is not the ad work that we do so successfully (making you wonder about all the names that do not run in credits behind your favorite commercials), but in the creative exploits that we spend our companies money on – and sometimes our very early Sunday mornings.

We come here because it energizes us. The space and our projects breathe enthusiasm into our lungs. And all the time, we are completely aware that we are doing something different.

Tags: David Graver, Office Culture

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