A child who looks like me - Ch172

After a happy Christmas, it was time for weekend work again. Although it was a precious end of the year, everyone was preoccupied with preparing for the competitive presentation.

Especially Ji-heon, who was also busy with year-end report preparations, felt like he could use another body. Meanwhile, the date for the competitive presentation was moved up.

“Director, I just spoke with the person in charge of the ‘I-Pum’ project, and they have regrettably decided to change the competition presentation date to the 31st.”

Upon hearing the planning team leader’s report, Ji-heon’s brow furrowed slightly.

“December 31st?”

“Yes.”

That meant this Friday.

“What was the reason for the change?”

“They said it was due to the CEO’s schedule.”

Ji-heon sighed in resignation. Although he couldn’t be cheerful about it, he wasn’t too surprised either. This had happened two years ago, so he had somewhat anticipated this possibility.

Ji-heon immediately called for the team in charge of the competitive presentation.

“The ‘I-Pum’ competition presentation for ‘Your Baby’ has been moved up a week. It will be this Friday afternoon.”

The shocking news caused everyone gathered in the meeting room to gasp in unison. Jeong-o seemed to be the most taken aback.

Ji-heon felt worried as he saw the color drain from Jeong-o’s face. However, he couldn’t rush over to her with so many eyes waiting for him to sort things out.

“I found out that ‘I-Pum’ also moved their competition presentation date up a week two years ago. It seems like they want to test how well the agency can perform in an emergency situation.”

Adding this explanation helped Ji-heon think more rationally.

Since the date was moved up, they would have one less week of stress. Moreover, the tight schedule applied not only to them but also to other competitors. If the other companies were struggling, it could be an opportunity for them.

He steadied himself and realized they could proceed calmly.

After all, he would be the one presenting the proposal, which would lighten the burden on the other team members.

“I don’t particularly like this situation, but I don’t think we can give up either. What about the production team?”

In response to Ji-heon’s positive outlook, Team Leader Seong Mi-ran quickly answered.

“It’s rough, but the first draft of the creative proposal is complete. I was preparing to report it tomorrow.”

“Let’s review it this evening. You can prepare the production materials as sketches. Team Leader Kim, please create a new schedule and share it with everyone.”

Once the tasks were organized, Ji-heon immediately turned to Jeong-o.

“Are you okay, Jeong-o?”

“Yes. We have to do it.”

Although her complexion was still pale, it seemed like his wife was determined to overcome the challenge. Relieved, Ji-heon also spoke to Eun-joo, who was sitting next to Jeong-o.

“What about you, Go Eun-joo?”

Eun-joo’s eyes widened at the unexpected question.

Oh, you sly director.

Why ask me how I’m doing when you could just check on Jeong-o? What did I do to deserve this, sitting next to her?

Eun-joo hesitated to answer.

“Uh, well… I’m okay. When has an advertiser ever scheduled a date based on the agency’s circumstances?”

Ji-heon nodded at Eun-joo’s calm response.

It was clearly a contrast to Jeong-o’s reaction.

Eun-joo thought Ji-heon was being absurd and felt a bit bitter, but she hid her wry smile.

Right. He’s wearing the mask of a working director, but underneath, he’s still just Jeong-o’s shadow. That won’t ever change.

“Exactly. Although we have little time to think, I believe it’s a good opportunity for intuitive ideas to come forth. Instead, we’ll make sure the proposal aligns completely with the production materials. Now, let’s all do our best.”

Unaware that Eun-joo was secretly laughing at him, Ji-heon wrapped up the meeting confidently and left the room.

***

As the competitive presentation approached, everyone was caught up in an incredibly busy daily routine.

The change in schedule unexpectedly revitalized the team members. If the date had been postponed, they would have felt despondent thinking about the extended struggle, but with it moved up, their labor would be shortened.

While success would be great, it was better for the company’s perspective to have a shorter period of hard work since failure was also a possibility.

With time running short, the team members quickly gathered their opinions without the luxury of disputes, and the results started piling up.

Thus came December 31, D-Day.

The presentation team from Max Planning departed directly for the I-Pum headquarters after a rehearsal. Today’s attendees included Ji-heon, the planning team leader, Deputy Manager Park Young-gwang, Jeong-o, and Assistant Manager Go Eun-joo.

As expected, the client showed the most interest in Ji-heon, who was present. Especially, the CEO of I-Pum recognized Ji-heon immediately.

“Aren’t you the child of Chairman Jeong Jae-gwang?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m Jeong Ji-heon, the head of the first division at Max Planning.”

“I see that Max Planning is taking great care of our I-Pum. It’s an honor to have you here today.”

In response to the I-Pum CEO’s courtesy, Ji-heon replied politely.

“It’s an honor for me to be presenting today.”

Everyone present seemed surprised by Ji-heon’s answer.

“You will be presenting yourself?”

“Yes, I’ll be in charge of the planning section.”

They had thought of him as just someone there to fill a seat.

However, just the fact that Ji-heon was presenting wouldn’t be enough to persuade the clients. Their reactions were divided into two: some looked on favorably, while others had a hostile glare.

“Well, shall we begin?”

Amidst the prejudiced gazes, the presentation commenced. Ji-heon stood up to present the advertising campaign planning section.

As it had been in the rehearsal, Ji-heon’s presentation was flawless. The process leading up to the campaign theme was seamless and clear in its essence.

It wasn’t particularly flashy, but it was a polished presentation. The preconceived notions about the chairman’s son had been neatly dispelled.

Then it was Jeong-o’s turn.

“Hello. I’m Lee Jeong-o, a copywriter from Max Planning.”

Jeong-o stood up carefully, cradling her belly with one hand.

One of the client executives, having observed this closely, spoke up.

“If you don’t mind me asking, are you…?”

“Yes. I’m five months pregnant.”

Jeong-o answered eagerly, pushing her belly forward as if to emphasize her point.

She was trying to create familiarity by pointing out that she was an expectant mother.

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Reading Jeong-o’s clever strategy, Ji-heon forgot his role for a moment and smiled. His heart fluttered.

So cute. So incredibly cute.

His fingers itched to reach out and caress his wife’s cheek.

Jeong-o began her presentation naturally.

“As a mother of one and while waiting for my soon-to-be-born baby, preparing for this ‘Your Baby’ campaign has been especially meaningful for me. I was able to deeply research the product and brand from the perspective of the core target audience.”

What started as a very personal approach expanded gradually under Jeong-o’s calm voice, concluding with a focus on promoting the product while instilling pride in the client.

“Good job.”

Ji-heon exchanged a glance with Jeong-o as she sat down, sending her a silent message. During their preparation, they had playfully argued over who was doing better, but in the end, they were on the same team.

After the media strategy presentation was completed, questions from the advertisers followed.

“The concept of a sturdy and safe brand is good. However, if the perception sets in that it’s a product that’s fine to use for ten years, won’t the sales of new products gradually decline? I doubt people would want to buy new ones if they can just pass them down. We need to continuously develop and sell new products next year and the year after.”

After the sharp question, the clients turned to Ji-heon as if they had made a silent agreement. The conference room fell silent.

Without hesitation, Ji-heon spoke up.

“If ‘Your Baby’ develops upgraded versions every year and implements effective advertising strategies, the customer base will continue to grow. This is why many companies persist in brand advertising. Moreover, the desire of parents to buy new and the best for their children doesn’t change over time. By tapping into this psychology, I am confident that ‘Your Baby’ advertising will leave a deep impression on consumers, promising another decade ten years from now.”

Ji-heon’s answer, which reinforced Max Planning’s campaign strategy along with his foundational arguments, surprised the I-Pum employees. They were taken aback by Ji-heon’s unexpected performance.

They thought he had only prepared to show off, but he had genuinely put in serious effort.

Realizing this, the CEO was greatly pleased.

“Another decade ten years from now… That sounds good. If our brand lasts over ten years, we might be able to run an ad looking toward another decade.”

“That will happen. Please stay with Max Planning until then.”

The CEO chuckled heartily at Ji-heon’s almost joking wish.

“Thank you, Director Jeong Ji-heon.”

The presentation concluded on a high note.

Two hours later, their efforts bore the fruit of success.

“We did it!”

As soon as the planning team received the call from the client, the team leader ran to the production team and shouted loudly.

“Yay!” Everyone jumped up from their seats and cheered. The intern had tears in her eyes.

December 31st. The perfect conclusion to close out the year. The team congratulated each other.

Eun-joo spoke to Jeong-o.

“Assistant Manager, you worked hard.”

“You too, Assistant Manager Go.”

“What did I do? This presentation was all thanks to the husband-and-wife duo.”

Wiping away her tears, the intern chimed in, asking about Ji-heon.

“How was it? Director, you did a great job presenting, right?”

“If I did well, then we must have succeeded, right?”

Eun-joo calmly acknowledged this with a smile.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect you to be such a good presenter. I didn’t think you’d be able to retain all that extensive content in your head.”

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At Eun-joo’s remark, Jeong-o held her breath and perked up her ears.

“Now that I think about it, our director always seems to do everything perfectly. But Assistant Manager, didn’t you say you were going to the reading room?”

“I was going to go a bit later.”

Keep going! Please, tell me more!

She loved hearing her husband praised more than anything else in the world.

Jeong-o’s eyes sparkled as she paused her tasks to listen to Eun-joo’s words.

“Now that you’ve succeeded in marriage, I thought you might get a transfer to headquarters, but if you had just gone to headquarters, we might not have known how capable you are. Why were you hiding that from us?”

Our director. Hehe.

Hearing her husband praised in Eun-joo’s voice felt like an exaggeration, but it was entirely true.

Husband, you’ve been recognized!

Jeong-o’s shoulders slightly shook with joy.

That’s right. My husband does well when he’s given tasks. He’s really a great person, more than I expected.

Having received plenty of compliments about her husband, Jeong-o texted Ji-heon on her way to the reading room.

– I heard from Assistant Manager Go that you did a great job. Feeling good! ♥

Ji-heon quickly replied.

– They say I did well at my job?

– Yes!

– Then I can stay here, right?

The smile that had been lingering on her lips faded away.

“Is that why you worked so hard?”

Jeong Ji-heon was indeed a man with very clear goals.