Eight most awkward ways to get the good news -

Hey, you got a new account. Well done. You generated 150 pages of RFP response. You sweated through the big pitch and then the three consecutive re-pitches. You even gave in and did a little spec work. Now, you're face-to-face with the bearer of good news. And, trying to contort your facial muscles to look genuinely happy in the face of these tough setups:

1. The spare change: We all loved the presentation. The motion media, the interactivity, the deep content, but, here's the thing - we just can't pay close to that much. Can you create the same basic thing for 25% of your proposed budget?


2. Too much truth: Look, I'll be honest with you, I'm the only one who liked you guys. My boss wanted the NY firm with more experience; my team wanted the agency that seemed to understand us more, but this is my call and I like you.


3. The Ghost of Christmas future: Hey, hey, sorry for calling so late in the day but congratulations! Look, good news is that you got the business - we all loved you. Bad news is that I have a brochure that needs to be written and designed tonight and ready for the printer by lunch tomorrow. Can you do it?


4. Strange bed-fellows: Great news, we've made a decision. We loved your brand experience and we'd like to have you go ahead and do that part of our account. We've retained Arch Enemy, Inc. as our AOR - you'll be working through them to us. It should be a great partnership.


5. Doer of doom:  We're so looking forward to working with you guys. Your capabilities, attitudes, work - all just incredible. Here's the only thing ... things are so uncomfortable with our old agency that we really don't want to extend the relationship any more than is absolutely necessary. Can you get with them directly to handle the transition and handoff?


6. The Handpicker: Super pitch, team. We're ready to get started. All I need to do is make sure I have the ideal day-to-day contact to really best communicate our input at the agency. This will only work if I communicate exclusively with the president of the agency.


7. The Favor factory: Before we start work on the first project, could I just ask a quick favor? I know your team is super ensconced with all the big media in town. Any chance you could get me, my daughter and her 6 friends tickets to Monday's sold-out Bowl game and maybe a quick ride on a private jet and some hotel vouchers?


8. The premature pairing: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yours is the team I absolutely want to work with. And, this spec work you provided gives me great ammunition to go to my Board and convince them that we need to hire an agency.