Quick Takes: Clare’s Favorite Part About CCA Pitches & More
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of interacting with CCA’s Director of Business Development Clare Hall, you are seriously missing out.
Clare brings to CCA an exceptional talent for relationship-building, a painstaking attention to detail, an always-positive attitude, professionalism at its finest, and the best recommendations for where to eat in New Orleans—where she currently resides with her family.
Meet Clare.
Your college & major:
Tulane University, double major in Psychology and English
How many years doing what you do:
I’ve worked in marketing for 16 years, higher ed marketing for 8 years, and been at CCA since August of 2021
Your favorite thing about working in higher ed:
I love that it’s a cause we can all get behind. We’re not just marketing a product, we’re truly helping students find their path through the challenging college selection process. And of course, I love the people. Some of the kindest, brightest, and most hard-working people are working in this industry—both on the agency side and at our partner institutions—and it’s not lost on me how lucky I am to work with them every day.
Best professional advice you’ve received:
Work hard and be kind. Once you’ve got those parts down, the rest will fall into place.
What you love about being at CCA:
I’m impressed every day by the CCA team. Everyone is so collaborative, talented, and genuinely eager to do high-quality, effective, and fresh work.
Tell us about the best RFPs:
My favorite RFPs are those that clearly articulate the challenge that the institution is facing and what they’re looking for in an agency partner. That kind of context goes a long way in helping us determine whether we’re a right fit, and helps me make sure I’m putting together a scope of work that addresses an institution’s needs. (Here’s her advice for how to find the best higher ed marketing agency partner.)
Favorite part about pitches with the CCA team:
It’s always a refreshing change of pace when our pitches turn into real conversations. I love when clients ask questions, because it lets us dig deeper and make sure we’re really addressing their specific needs and pain points. I also love how our team works to personalize every pitch we do—we have so much fun thinking creatively about how to approach any given project, and I think clients enjoy getting a sneak peek at our ideas. Oh, and I can’t get enough of David’s metaphors for describing our creative process. From fish to Starbucks to Teslas to wine—I never know what he’s going to pull out but it’s always fun to see.
Where everyone needs to eat when they visit NOLA:
There are way too many to name! But my superpower is coming up with personalized lists of restaurant recommendations for anyone visiting New Orleans. Most of those lists end up including Bacchanal in the Bywater, a wine bar/restaurant with an amazing courtyard and live jazz. It’s an experience!
Last book you read:
We Run the Tides, by Vendela Vida. It’s a novel about a group of friends in eighth grade in 1980’s San Francisco, and what unfolds after one girl goes missing. Highly recommend.
Bucket list item:
I would love to go to Italy. I love pasta and wine, and I have a feeling that a trip to the Tuscan countryside would be my personal paradise.
Fun fact about you:
I went to a tiny all girls’ school in New Orleans. My graduating class was just 24 girls!