Monday Muse: Cameron Boardman of SPAR Partners
SPAR Partners is a visual creative agency that specializes in print and graphic design for highly branded companies. We began working with SPAR and Cameron Boardman, the VP of Sales Operations, in 2020. Since the beginning she has helped us to make all of our Monday branded merchandise dreams come true. Check out our interview below to find out how Cameron got to where she is in her career.
Give me a brief elevator pitch of what you do:
SPAR is a boutique, visual marketing agency with the differentiating factor that “we’re not your mom’s Kinko’s” (sorry Fedex, no disrespect). We specialize in tangible materials; everything from luxe business cards, to high-end packaging and swag you’ll want to wear. At SPAR, my focus is helping our clients bring their creative vision to life. I work as our clients’ consultant from design to execution.
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What is part of your job/work you are most proud of?
After nearly 8 years at SPAR, I’d love to say I’m an expert, but the truth is that I’m constantly learning. There are new processes, new products, new materials, and new possibilities to consider - the field is ever-changing! The best feeling is when a client comes to us with a challenge, like a bespoke or rush request, and I’m able to figure out a solution to achieve the goal.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
SPAR’s Founder, Allison, and this isn’t brown-nosing! She’s a badass boss with excellent taste, expertise, and she’s somehow able to manage her time between running a company and raising two beautiful kids. More importantly, she’s a mentor and a great sounding-board. I love the collaborative environment Allison has created at SPAR.
Beyond SPAR, I’d have to say José Andrés, who has turned his passion for food and service into a global non-profit (World Central Kitchen). His international team has been some of the first-responders to global natural disasters, jumping in where governments didn’t have the infrastructure to. Their work is beyond incredible and inspiring.
How did you realize this is what you love to do?
I’ve always loved design, advertising and anything creative. I studied advertising at Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and envisioned myself as the female Don Draper / Mad (wo)Man, but was introduced to SPAR and the journey took off from there!
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What is your dream path for your career to take?
I see myself working towards brand strategy. I’ve had some internship experience in this space and love the discovery phase that gets to the root of, “who are targeting? / why? / what is our message? / how do we build the concept around this?”.
SPAR effectively operates in the execution phase which is critical, but we often have to negotiate with the creative team to get to the end result, versus being involved in the original concept. I feel like there can be a disconnect between conception and execution that my role at SPAR has taught me to bridge.
What was or is your biggest challenge in your field?
Managing expectations. It’s better for everyone– the client, designers & execution team to be upfront about deliverables and what can be achieved by a specific date.
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Do you have any advice for people trying to get into your field?
Be open-minded! I love that SPAR has an agency approach where we get the opportunity to work with lots of different clients in a range of fields (from media companies, to retail brands and even financial planning firms). The same skills are transferable and can be applied to a breadth of clients which is something I hadn’t considered when applying for positions.
What do you love to do when you're not working?
I LOVE to cook and host gatherings! My fiancé and I have *somewhat* mastered Korean BBQ nights, assuming we can source ingredients from the H-Mart in Queens. Raw ingredients, like designs or production materials, are crucial to a strong execution ;-)
