My Journey To Spark: Hass Ur-Rehman

Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do at Spark?

I’m Hass and I stared working at Spark just over 4 months ago. I’m an account manager and work with a range of clients from the leisure industry through to the property industry, so there’s lots of variety!

In my role as Account Manager I’m responsible for:

• Maintaining client relationships – from brief to delivery
• Being the clients spokesperson in the agency- this involves giving creatives enough times to work on projects and keeping them in the loop on all client updates and feedback.
• Managing the client – pulling together costs and timings
• Reviewing creative – making sure to always give my opinion and critique work
• Briefing the studio – making sure my briefs are inspiring and concise

What’s the best thing about working in the agency/creative industry space?

The thing I love about working agency side, is the variety it brings to my day. Working on a variety of different clients means every day is different and that’s what keeps me engaged and motivated. I have never worked client-side but I think that agency life is more for me.

Tell us a bit about your journey before Spark

I studied advertising and brand management at Manchester Metropolitan University. I knew I wanted to work in advertising from sixth form, when for my media studies coursework I had to create a piece of media. I decided to film my own advert for Chanel (Not that it will ever see the light of day given it was low-budget and not my best work) but it did inspire me to take a creative path into the world of advertising.

After I graduated, I got my first job at an events agency.  It was my first ever job so I learnt loads and quickly found my feet but after that first foot in the door, I worked my way back into creative advertising as I knew that was what I wanted to go into long-term.

Do you have any tips or best practice things you to do keep up momentum on your client projects?

When timings are tight or there’s lots to get through, it really helps me to break the project down into bite sized chunks, this way I can work towards mini milestones and goals. It’s far less overwhelming and really helps me gain clarity towards getting the job done.

I also ensure I have regular check-ins with the team to ensure we’re on track and all on the same page, that way there’s no time wasted.

How do you make sure the Spark brand culture is understood and experienced by your clients in your everyday work?

I always ensure I’m honest and transparent with clients and behave as though I’m an extension of their team, and treat them as I would a member of the spark team. I see my role to be as much about building out relationships with clients and Spark colleagues as it is about delivering projects to brief and on time.

Tell us an unpopular opinion

Solange over Beyonce!

Do you have a party trick/fun fact about yourself?

I’m one of only 11 people in the world with the name Hassaanah spelt this way! I have also featured in a German TV advert as an extra for one of the clients I worked with at my last agency.