What's Your X Factor?

IF you're an aspiring advertiser or a recent graduate looking to break into the industry, you might be grappling with the question: How do I stand out in a crowded field? Lately, I've been thinking about this myself, especially after a recent conversation that left a lasting impression.

I recently interviewed Austin Scott on the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast. For those unfamiliar, our podcast is dedicated to helping the next generation of advertisers navigate the industry's complexities. We bring in professionals from all corners of the advertising world to share their stories, insights, and advice.

Austin Scott is the newly appointed Creative Director at Brandon, a leading integrated marketing agency known for its creative excellence. His journey is anything but conventional—starting from an aspiring dentist to becoming one of Business Insider’s 50 Rising Stars of Madison Avenue in 2021. His episode will be released in about a month, and trust me, it's one you won't want to miss.

During our conversation, Austin introduced the idea of finding your "X factor." He emphasized how this unique quality or skill set can set you apart in your career. For him, the X factor was his building websites and constantly learning new tech skills as he broke into art direction.

Reflecting on my own journey, I realized that my X factor was the creation of the Breaking and Entering Advertising Podcast itself. When I started, I had no idea it would help me land a role in communications and marketing at Havas Chicago. I was simply interviewing people to help aspiring advertisers, but in doing so, I was honing skills in journalism and public relations, weaving between both roles seamlessly. Perhaps my X factor is the discipline to create consistently or my commitment to guiding the next generation of advertisers.