The Pitch: City Love 2 Read Online Free PDF

of my desk.
    “You could present the most well-researched and strategized pitch the client has ever seen, but if it doesn’t speak to them personally, and one of the other pitches does, you’ve lost.”
    At my curious gaze, he pointed at me. “What do you like to do outside the office, Madeleine?”
    I stared at him blankly.
    Another broad grin. “It’s work-related, I promise.”
    Well, that’s a relief, I thought dryly. “I play sports,” I told him.
    “Specifically?”
    “Netball and swimming mainly.”
    “What else aside from sports?”
    I narrowed my eyes at him, but obliged. “The usual, I guess. I read, watch movies, go out to restaurants and pubs with my friends.”
    “What do you read?”
    “Why?”
    I must have responded too quickly because the corners of his mouth twitched. “Women’s recreational fiction, huh?”
    I flushed. “We like to call it romance.”
    “Romance then. Movies?”
    “Action,” I shot back proudly.
    “And romantic comedy?” He had a knowing look on his face and his blue eyes twinkled.
    Bastard . “Sometimes,” I allowed. “And all of this is relevant, why?”
    “Because Madeleine Spencer is more than the sum total of Grounded Marketing, that’s why.”
    I sank into my chair thoughtfully.
    “Whether we want to admit it or not, we bring our total selves to the office with us – despite what we want the outside world to think. That’s why we need to get to know the client better. At worst, there could be something in your pitch that might offend. At best, we can appeal to something that will hit them here.” He patted a hand to his chest, then studied my expression. I was frowning. His eyes softened. “It took me a few years, and a number of lost pitches, to realize that’s where I was going wrong,” he admitted.
    “How do we get that sort of information?” I asked.
    “A variety of ways. Online research – also known as Google – and networking. I know a lot of people and they know people, if you get my gist.”
    “I know plenty of people, too.”
    “Exactly. I’m guessing that’s how you got invited to pitch in the first place. Am I right?”
    I nodded. He was spot on. I was something of a networking queen, attending industry events and anything else I thought would benefit Grounded Marketing.
    “You need to use your networking for more than business leads. It can be priceless for helping you with business intel, too.”
    He was right. “Thank you, Paul,” I said. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.”
    “Because you’ve been busy with your team answering the pitch. Like most other agencies.” He leveled his gaze at me. “But you’re not most other agencies, Madeleine.”
    “Maddy.” I don’t why I said it, but he’d been asking about my life outside work and it suddenly seemed appropriate.
    “Maddy,” he repeated slowly, like he was trying out the word for the first time. “I prefer Madeleine.” He smiled warmly at me. “Maddy is what your friends and family call you?”
    “Yes.”
    “It doesn’t do you justice. Madeleine does.”
    I stared at him, flattered but also annoyed that he could turn me into a serial mute in his presence.
    He nodded at my computer screen, oblivious to my silence or perhaps graciously ignoring it. “Sounds like you’ve got an interesting night planned.”
    My brow furrowed, trying to understand his meaning.
    He pointed at the list of emails showing on my screen, then held up a hand in a parting wave. “My bet is he’ll think you’re pretty exotic too. I can’t speak for willing, though.”
    I watched on in confusion while he opened my office door. The way his broad shoulders moved through the material of his suit jacket distracted me momentarily. I heard him say a pleasant goodbye to my mother, then his tall frame retreated from view.
    What on earth? My eyes darted to the computer screen and I felt all the blood leave my face. “Oh shit!” I dropped my head into my hands. Thank you very