In the fast-paced world of media planning, no two days are ever truly the same, but they do require the right rhythm to be successful. For James, the day is a calculated balance of deep-thinking analytical tasks and cross-team collaboration. From navigating the morning commute on the Northern Line to carving out afternoon windows for big-picture creativity, here is a look at the moving parts and personal rituals that define a typical day in their life at Medialab.
Pre-morning
Whether I’m heading into the office or working from home, my mornings tend to fall into two very different categories. On office days, I try to convince myself I’m the kind of person who enjoys an early gym session, and occasionally I succeed, even if it requires a small internal negotiation with my alarm clock.
Once I’m up and moving, the commute, ironically, becomes my calm time. I pop my earphones in, put on something relaxing, and settle into whatever book I’m reading. It’s one of the few moments in the day where I’m not multitasking, even if it is on the Northern line.
Morning
The first thing I do when I get to the office is grab my (first) coffee of the day, a non-negotiable. Mornings are all about setting myself up properly, so I start by writing out a fresh task list: anything I didn’t quite get to yesterday, plus anything new that’s landed.
Once that’s done, a quick check on my emails, and then I dive straight into the important or urgent pieces for our client(s) while the caffeine is still doing its best work. This is also the ideal window for anything maths heavy.
By late morning, usually after coffee number two, I catch up with the team. Whether it’s 121s or a quick account team check-in, this slot works well as everyone’s usually tackled their priority tasks and can focus on planning the rest of the day. They’re usually pretty informal and relaxed, and I always try to bring energy to these!
Lunch
I’m surprisingly disciplined when it comes to bringing lunch from home (shoutout to my girlfriend for reminding me to take it out of the fridge), so most days you’ll find me eating at my desk well before I should be. But If I do head out, one of the three delis around the corner is always a reliable option.
I always try to get outside for at least a short walk, either a loop around Fitzrovia or, if I’m feeling brave, a wander down Oxford Street or around Soho.
Afternoon
Once I’m back from lunch, armed with coffee number three, I settle in for the part of the day where I can really get stuck into deeper thinking.
More strategic or creative tasks land in the afternoon, so I like carving out quiet focus time to work through them properly. Whether it’s shaping media strategy, digging into granular performance, or planning for upcoming activity, this is the window where I feel most in the zone.
It’s also when cross-team collaboration tends to pick up. There’s usually a steady flow of messages, questions, or quick chats with colleagues across planning, data, or client teams as we align on next steps. I enjoy this part; it’s a good reminder of how many moving parts come together behind the scenes.
Client calls usually sit in this part of the day too. By the afternoon, everyone’s had time to gather their thoughts, review the numbers, and come prepared, so conversations are productive and focused. It’s a nice balance of problem-solving, planning, and making sure we’re all heading in the right direction.
After work
Once the laptop closes, my evening can go one of two ways. If the team is heading out, I’m usually more than happy to join (or instigate), whether it’s a quick drink, Medialab mixer, or industry event. It’s a great way to decompress and catch up with people outside the usual meeting rooms and Teams calls.
On quieter evenings, I head straight home and switch into full wind‑down mode. That might mean picking up my book, putting something easy on TV, or disappearing into the kitchen to cook something. Cooking is one of my favourite ways to simultaneously relax and get completely stressed out.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into the industry?
Be curious, be proactive, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This industry moves quickly, and the people who thrive are the ones who stay engaged, keep learning, and put their hand up for opportunities. You don’t need to know everything on day one, you just need the willingness to dive in and figure things out as you go.
If you weren’t at Medialab, what would you be doing?
Part of me would love to be a professional chef, the creativity, the pace, the food, but honestly, it looks unbelievably stressful. I think I prefer cooking without the risk of being yelled at by someone holding a saucepan. So, I thought I’d share my favourite winter comfort dish. A recipe I am currently loving – Mince & Dumplings.
