The Hang Up (First Impressions) Read Online Free Page A

anyone’s talent or skills or anything like that.”
    “What are you questioning?” Miriam’s tone was surprisingly even, and she didn’t look pissed, which he took as a good sign. Still, there was a glint of something in her eyes. Pride in her work, which he could definitely relate to.
    “I’m sure all the work you guys have done up to this point is exactly the direction the Urban Trax executive team asked you to go,” he said. “And I’m certain any other outdoor goods retailer would be thrilled with it. Hell, Urban Trax has probably been thrilled with it, I imagine.”
    “They were,” Miriam agreed, still eyeing him warily.
    “As well they should be. But it just seems a little too—I don’t know— snooty . The executive team can correct me if I’m wrong here, but I think part of the reason I’ve been hired here is to stir shit up a little.”
    The marketing director winced a little, but he nodded. “We prefer the phrase ‘deviate from the status quo.’”
    “Yeah, that.” Jason rubbed a hand over his chin, remembering that he’d forgotten to shave that morning. Or the morning before that. Or the morning before that .
    “So let me get this straight,” Miriam said. “Instead of the polished, sleek, ‘don’t you wish you had a million-dollar backpack’ sort of campaign Urban Trax has launched in the past, you’re looking for something a bit dirtier.”
    “Dirtier,” Jason repeated, and his mind veered a little at that. “Yes, I suppose you could say that.”
    Miriam nodded, her gaze fixed on his. “I agree.”
    Jason blinked. “You do?”
    “Yes.” She set the pen down and rested her palms on the table. “As a matter of fact, the executive team may recall we proposed something along those lines after our first meeting with them back in October.”
    From his peripheral vision, Jason could see the execs shifting a little in their seats, but Jason kept his gaze on Miriam.
    “Do you still have that proposal?” he asked.
    “We do,” Miriam replied. “Back at the start of this contract, I even mocked up several new logos and some ad concepts I could pull up fairly easily.”
    There was an uncomfortable murmur around the room, and Jason glanced over at his executive team. The accounting director was scowling and fidgeting, and Jason wondered if the little weasel had some sort of bug up his butt.
    The man cleared his throat and looked at Holly. “This meeting is confidential, correct?”
    “That’s right, Rex,” she said, not batting an eyelash. “All our meetings are confidential. Is there something you wanted to share?”
    Rex pushed his laptop shut and regarded them with a stern expression. “Look, let’s not beat around the bush here. Urban Trax has been bleeding money for the last three quarters, and our stock took a major hit after the whole embezzling scandal.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Holly said.
    Miriam folded her hands on the table and looked a little like she might want to hit someone.
    Jason could relate.
    Rex kept talking. “The board of directors is poised to eliminate two hundred jobs within the next quarter unless we can turn things around. Perhaps now isn’t the time to be screwing around with experimental rebranding.”
    Jason opened his mouth to tell the guy to pull his head out of his ass, but Miriam spoke first. “With all due respect, sir, that’s precisely the time to do a major rebrand. The company needs fresh blood, fresh ideas, a fresh approach to business. A signal to your consumers that you’re ready to play ball.”
    She looked at Jason, who had to admit Miriam’s way of telling the guy to pull his head out of his ass was probably more effective than his would have been.
    Beside her, Holly spoke. “It’s what we’ve been urging Urban Trax to consider,” she said. “A thorough rebrand, as opposed to slightly new spins on old ideas.”
    “Now that sounds like a plan,” Jason said, and he tamped down his anger over hearing this goddamn