Eleven Twenty-Three is a full service advertising agency that specializes in media planning and creative development. Shana Boyd is a partner as well as a Media & Account Specialist at Eleven Twenty-Three.
How did you get started in the business? – I was a supervisor at a reservation center for a hotel group here in Omaha and I started helping with their marketing and advertising pieces. I tried to do a little design work (which I was awful at), but I really liked the strategy and science of what makes up a good ad. Soon after I earned my bachelor’s degree in Marketing and decided to add a minor in Advertising Communications. I got my first job at a local advertising agency after I worked for the newspaper for a year.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Starting our own business. You really find out what you’re made of during the first year in action. The team dynamic is so important during that phase of development. It’s rewarding and challenging all at the same time.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Helping build our business. Working with fantastic clients locally and regionally has been a great experience. We are watching brands grow and that is something pretty special to be a part of. Our first year in business, we worked with Creighton Men’s Basketball to create their promotional videos for the CenturyLink. We were standing in that arena, the lights went down and the seats were packed when I elbowed my business partner, Dave Distefano, and said “you did this.” It was an empowering day.
Tell us a little about your family. – I absolutely love my family. We’re all very close and they are my biggest supporters of any decisions I’ve made both personally and professionally. My mother in particular is the strongest person I know. I’m pretty sure between her and the rest of my family they had a tap on my pager. Yes, pager, to know where I was at any given time.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Restore furniture. I love to find something unique that you wouldn’t find anywhere and bring it back to life. If I’m not doing that you can find me with a table of friends at Cunningham’s Pub & Grill or Tanner’s. Craft beers…yes please.
What are you the most proud of? – My team at the office. I’ve never worked with a group of people that work so well together and really encourage one another. We’re like a family. Our philosophy of doing the right thing for our clients and staying brand focused first is something we never lose sight of. You can see it in the creative and the media plan.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Do everything with integrity. Act as though someone is standing over your shoulder even if they aren’t, because if you do the right thing for others and yourself everything else falls in to place.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate. Nothing is worth doing unless you give it your all.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – The ability to see into the future. I don’t like surprises
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – David Ogilvy, “The father of advertising.” I find him fascinating.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Visit www.11twentythree.com or email me at shana@11twentythree.com