withering glance.
"I assume profit margins are higher for men's clothing to compensate for the lower volume," Jack continued, trying to smooth
the brewing disagreement between father and daughter. "So it makes sense to target an underselling, high-margin department.
Present a campaign specifically designed to bring women into the store to shop for the men in their lives, and they're sure to
wander into other departments."
"We could put cross-promotional materials for women's wear, children's and housewares in the men's department," one of
the young women offered.
Jack remembered she was an assistant in marketing. "Great idea," he said, and was rewarded with a blushing, shy grin.
"Coax them into other departments after they've finished shopping in menswear."
Side conversations erupted around the table. Jack could see the idea catching and spreading. Alex sat rigidly in her chair,
eyeing her associates.
"Mr. Stillman, do you have any experience in producing television commercials?" Heath Reddinger asked, restoring the
room to relative quiet.
Good old Heath—offering a bit of disguised resistance for Alex's sake. "No," he admitted. "But I do have a relationship with
a local producer, who does top-notch work." A chance glance at Alexandria revealed her too-blue eyes had rolled upward, so
he directed the rest of his remarks to her father.
"I recommend that you contract a male model exclusively for Tremont's, then flood the media with his image."
Tremont was nodding. "I like it—simple, straightforward, smart."
Alexandria cleared her throat noisily. "It's not the level of sophistication I had in mind for the store. I wanted to spotlight our
women's designer clothing, our fine jewelry, cosmetics—"
"Alex," her father cut in, his face stern. "I think we should take Jack's proposal under serious consideration."
"Perhaps," she returned across the table, her own expression firm, "we should ask Jack to leave the room so we can discuss
the pros and cons among ourselves."
Jack moved toward the door, but Al Tremont held up his hand. "Stay, son. I just need to know how much all this is going to
cost."
"Father," Alex said, rising, her eyes wide. "This matter is far too important to be decided unilaterally in mere minutes.
Remember, we have other agencies to interview, and besides, the entire marketing team should convene and discuss—"
"Alex," her father said abruptly, his mouth set in a frown, his double chin shaking, "I've made up my mind, and it's the
Stillman agency I want!"
Although the words were music to his ears, Jack was aware of awkwardness vibrating between the walls, and for a moment,
he felt a pang of sympathy for Alexandria. The man did seem to be a bit overbearing, and Jack was curious to see how she
would respond.
"Father, a word with you outside?" To her credit, her tone was sweet, but he detected a slight tremor. She marched toward
the door and exited, head high, leaving the door ajar. Jack and everyone else shifted their glance toward Al Tremont, who
sighed heavily, then pushed himself to his feet and followed her, muttering under his breath.
* * *
Alex paced in the hallway, shaking with a level of anger she hadn't experienced since discovering her father was going to
marry Gloria the Gold Digger scarcely a year after her precious mother's death. How dare he undermine the authority he'd
given her mere weeks ago! And in front of colleagues and other vice presidents, no less—not to mention that abominable Jack
Stillman. Clothes do make the man . How lame. Thoughts of what she would do if her father didn't follow her were cut short by
his appearance.
"Alex, what is the meaning of this?"
She crossed her arms. "I was going to ask you the same thing. The last time I looked, choosing an advertising agency fell
under my area of responsibility." Gesturing toward the conference room, she said, "I can't believe you would just hand over
our account to that inept man!"
"Imagine," her
"I assume profit margins are higher for men's clothing to compensate for the lower volume," Jack continued, trying to smooth
the brewing disagreement between father and daughter. "So it makes sense to target an underselling, high-margin department.
Present a campaign specifically designed to bring women into the store to shop for the men in their lives, and they're sure to
wander into other departments."
"We could put cross-promotional materials for women's wear, children's and housewares in the men's department," one of
the young women offered.
Jack remembered she was an assistant in marketing. "Great idea," he said, and was rewarded with a blushing, shy grin.
"Coax them into other departments after they've finished shopping in menswear."
Side conversations erupted around the table. Jack could see the idea catching and spreading. Alex sat rigidly in her chair,
eyeing her associates.
"Mr. Stillman, do you have any experience in producing television commercials?" Heath Reddinger asked, restoring the
room to relative quiet.
Good old Heath—offering a bit of disguised resistance for Alex's sake. "No," he admitted. "But I do have a relationship with
a local producer, who does top-notch work." A chance glance at Alexandria revealed her too-blue eyes had rolled upward, so
he directed the rest of his remarks to her father.
"I recommend that you contract a male model exclusively for Tremont's, then flood the media with his image."
Tremont was nodding. "I like it—simple, straightforward, smart."
Alexandria cleared her throat noisily. "It's not the level of sophistication I had in mind for the store. I wanted to spotlight our
women's designer clothing, our fine jewelry, cosmetics—"
"Alex," her father cut in, his face stern. "I think we should take Jack's proposal under serious consideration."
"Perhaps," she returned across the table, her own expression firm, "we should ask Jack to leave the room so we can discuss
the pros and cons among ourselves."
Jack moved toward the door, but Al Tremont held up his hand. "Stay, son. I just need to know how much all this is going to
cost."
"Father," Alex said, rising, her eyes wide. "This matter is far too important to be decided unilaterally in mere minutes.
Remember, we have other agencies to interview, and besides, the entire marketing team should convene and discuss—"
"Alex," her father said abruptly, his mouth set in a frown, his double chin shaking, "I've made up my mind, and it's the
Stillman agency I want!"
Although the words were music to his ears, Jack was aware of awkwardness vibrating between the walls, and for a moment,
he felt a pang of sympathy for Alexandria. The man did seem to be a bit overbearing, and Jack was curious to see how she
would respond.
"Father, a word with you outside?" To her credit, her tone was sweet, but he detected a slight tremor. She marched toward
the door and exited, head high, leaving the door ajar. Jack and everyone else shifted their glance toward Al Tremont, who
sighed heavily, then pushed himself to his feet and followed her, muttering under his breath.
* * *
Alex paced in the hallway, shaking with a level of anger she hadn't experienced since discovering her father was going to
marry Gloria the Gold Digger scarcely a year after her precious mother's death. How dare he undermine the authority he'd
given her mere weeks ago! And in front of colleagues and other vice presidents, no less—not to mention that abominable Jack
Stillman. Clothes do make the man . How lame. Thoughts of what she would do if her father didn't follow her were cut short by
his appearance.
"Alex, what is the meaning of this?"
She crossed her arms. "I was going to ask you the same thing. The last time I looked, choosing an advertising agency fell
under my area of responsibility." Gesturing toward the conference room, she said, "I can't believe you would just hand over
our account to that inept man!"
"Imagine," her
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