DEIDRE LAMBERT-BOUNDS
Chief Operating Officer Ignite Social Media
THE COO WITH THE
PERSONAL TOUCH
By Tamekia Ashford
She will roll up her sleeves with the best of them; from flying to meetings in New York or North Carolina to servicing clients and
even helping with kitchen duty at the office, Deidre Lambert-Bounds has got the personal touch and has a pretty good handle on the balancing act – even if she says it is always a little off.
Bounds wears many hats of significance; she tackles the duties of being a wife and mom, sister and aunt, a grandmother, and friend and advisor in addition to serving as the chief operating officer (COO) of Ignite Social Media, the original social media agency that was named as one of the World’s Top Social Media Marketing Firms for 2011. “I believe I’m a pretty good leader, says Bounds. “I’ve never asked someone to do something that I haven’t done or wouldn’t do.”
As with any success story, Bounds’ success did not happen overnight; it took time. She was trying to figure out what to do with her life. Her plans were to become a teacher, but at the age of 24 she got the opportunity to work with Brogan and Partners, a full-service advertising agency. Marci Brogan, Brogan and Partner’s distinctive chief executive officer saw potential in Bounds. “It starts with an opportunity,” says Bounds. “Someone gave me an opportunity and took a chance on me and thank God I was mature enough to recognize and embrace it. Throughout my career I always had someone saying, you can do it.”
For the next 18 years, she would gain a life-time of experiences and travel over a significant path, which included stints in key agency positions like client service, digital, media and public relations. She also learned firsthand how to manage and run a business, how to be an effective leader and the importance of working as part of a team.
Bounds followed in her mentor’s, Marcie Brogan, footsteps; worked her way up and became managing partner of Brogan and Partners. In 2010 Bounds transitioned from Brogan and Partners and went to Ignite Social Media, the sister company to Brogan. The owners of Ignite, Jim Tobin, president and Marci Brogan, chief financial officer, tapped Bounds to head up the team. Her expertise and knowledge of the business served as good fit. “It was an easy transition for me because I knew the players, trusted the players and respected the players. I believe my business partners are some of the smartest people. I’m still learning from them and very excited to learn how to manage 100- plus people.”
As with anything that requires balance and/or the ability to prioritize, Bounds recognizes the importance of reflecting and reviewing those aha moments. She is the youngest of seven children; her oldest sister was diagnosed with cancer and even while facing chemo and feeling sick, never lost a sense of humor. Her sister taught her what it means to truly live in the moment. “I’ve learned that I’m more resilient than I ever thought I was; my sister surviving cancer and my mom dying when I was very young made me put everything into perspective.”
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