I gladiate but I’m no Olivia Pope

Long before ABC launched the TV show Scandal starring the gorgeous Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, I was a gladiator. I didn’t call myself that back then but, I definitely gladiated.

I’m a Web Editor. Not just this site but in “real life”.  On its own the job title sounds like I write, edit and maintain web pages, which I do. But all the juicy stuff comes under ‘any other duties’. Under that heading, I fight social media fires using specifically crafted corporate lines. My aim is to fight the fires and protect and promote the brand. It’s fun!

After watching a couple of episodes of Scandal, I wanted to be Olivia Pope. I wanted to get my Crisis Management diploma, to gladiate on a larger stage. Luckily for me, I really love my job and after five minutes of toying with the fantasy of being Rihanna’s Public Relations Officer, I calmed down. I am no Olivia Pope but I’d be happy to crawl through broken glass to sit in her shadow.

Now I spend my days reading through press releases and thinking would Olivia Pope write this? Or watching politicians and big brands fail and thinking “Should have got Olivia Pope on it”. The show has me seeing world in a different light and its made life a lot more interesting. It’s also made me appreciate my job even more; I gladiate therefore I am.