A Book, A Memory, and the Power of a Good Briefing
I recently finished a book that hit me in a way few have: Everyday Superhero, the story of Darcus Beese, the first Black president of Island Records — the man behind artists like Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, U2, and Florence and the Machine. It’s a short read, but it packs a punch.
What struck me wasn’t just his remarkable career (which is, let’s face it, far more glamorous and successful than mine), but how familiar many of his experiences felt. As someone who’s been on this planet for over 50 years, navigating life and work as a Black man, reading Darcus’ frank and authentic take on his journey felt like a tonic. For anyone who’s ever felt like the underdog — whether because of their skin colour, background, or “rubbish” academic qualifications — there’s a lot in this book that resonates.
One thread that stood out in Darcus’ story was the influence of his mentors and bosses along the way. One of those names jumped off the page for me, because — as it happens — I worked with him back in the ’90s when I was a young account manager. He was a client of mine, and even now, decades later, the memories are vivid.
I won’t name-drop here (though I’m happy to share in the comments if anyone’s curious), but at the time, he was the youngest senior client I’d ever come across — PR Director at Sega Video Games, the home of Sonic the Hedgehog. What set him apart was his ability to brief a project in just 15 minutes, and in that short window, make you feel valued, respected, energised, and empowered to do your best work.
He had this rare calm, a level of control and clarity well beyond his years. I’d leave those meetings thinking: wow. In contrast, I’ve been in plenty of briefings that felt more like relationship counselling — awkward, uncomfortable, leaving you questioning everything. But with this guy, the energy he brought into the room was infectious. It made us want to deliver, to match his enthusiasm, to bring our best.
I’m not here to wrap this up with a neat little “three-step guide to briefing an agency” — I’ll leave that to the AI bots and LinkedIn gurus. But I will say this: the energy, respect, and clarity you bring to the people you work with matters. It shapes the work you get back.
If you’re curious, I’d recommend checking out Darcus Beese’s book or catching his interview on BBC Sounds. It’s not just a music industry memoir — it’s a reminder of how resilience, passion, and human connection shape a career.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct5nrj?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
