Advertising agency founder Mercedes Erra was the French Advertising Agencies Association's first female president. She is renowned as a strategist responsible for the world's most-viewed brand video, "Roller Babies."
Advertising agency founder Mercedes Erra was the French Advertising Agencies Association's first female president. She is renowned as a strategist responsible for the world's most-viewed brand video, "Roller Babies."
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Erra (left) is also president of the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, where she says you hear different ideas expressed than at most male-dominated business forums.
Erra (left) is also president of the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, where she says you hear different ideas expressed than at most male-dominated business forums.
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At Erra's agency BETC, they keep bees on a rooftop terrace. Erra, who has a Masters in Literature from the Sorbonne, says working in advertising is like studying literature. "It's the chance to understand people, and how to create something which can move people."
At Erra's agency BETC, they keep bees on a rooftop terrace. Erra, who has a Masters in Literature from the Sorbonne, says working in advertising is like studying literature. "It's the chance to understand people, and how to create something which can move people."
BETC Paris
Erra, who likes to take meetings at the Saint James Hotel, has bought houses for her parents, brother and sister since finding success. "It's very important for me to have the capacity to share my pleasure, and to share my money because you don't need money when you die," she says.
Erra, who likes to take meetings at the Saint James Hotel, has bought houses for her parents, brother and sister since finding success. "It's very important for me to have the capacity to share my pleasure, and to share my money because you don't need money when you die," she says.
Erra's husband decided to stay at home to raise their five sons, a decision some have struggled to comprehend. But he says, "I never regret it, my life is so beautiful. I travel a lot. I cook, I garden. I'm very, very happy."
Erra's husband decided to stay at home to raise their five sons, a decision some have struggled to comprehend. But he says, "I never regret it, my life is so beautiful. I travel a lot. I cook, I garden. I'm very, very happy."