Pixel
Category: Strategy
05.07.2021
Our Chief Panda Officer, always near the genesis of an inspired idea (or cocktail), often recalls Marcel Proust’s wit for answering Victorian parlor game questions. Pixel has traveled far from the salons of Paris, but her interest remains piqued in which questions truly reflect a person’s character. Packing just the right amount of punch, NJI created The Pixel Questionnaire to give a glimpse into the inner workings of some of our most intriguing minds.
After procuring a rare bottle of Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay, we invited Account Director Emily Sikora to sit down amidst the Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms to chat about her oenophile status and love of a certain Ohio hippo. Ever generous with her knowledge and joie de vivre, she gave a glimpse into what makes her a shining star on NJI’s strategy team.
What is your spirit animal?
I’d have to say a hippo! I’m from Cincinnati, so Fiona the Hippo is the entire city’s spirit animal.
If you had a superpower?
Forget superpower, I’d love some magical powers like the ability to apparate, so location no longer holds me back from doing something or hanging out with my friends.
What is your most unusual talent?
I can remember all sorts of number/letter combinations in my head. At a previous job, we used job #s to track projects and I had hundreds of job #s memorized and could spout them off on command. Sometimes I wonder what I could remember if I didn’t have numbers taking up so much space.
On what occasions do you lie?
Not often, I tend to be an oversharer and an open book.
If not yourself, who would you be?
I’d be an author. I love writing and have a dream to publish a book someday.
If you could jump into a pool of something, what would it be?
Mountain Dew
If you could breed two animals together, what would they be?
A flamingo and a hippo. That would be a bizarre combination.
What would you do if you got stuck in an elevator?
Probably use the time to meditate and sit still for a moment. I’m always going at a crazy pace.
What is your favorite drink?
Wine! I have my WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and I’m currently working on my Italian Wine Scholar, so what type of wine depends on my mood, what I’m eating, and what wines I’m currently learning about in my courses.
If a movie were made about your career, what would be the title?
Mission Impossible (but it always gets done!)
You’ve been given an elephant. What do you do?
Make a memory with it, because elephants never forget.
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A simple pasta with olive oil and parmesan.
Your most treasured possession?
A childhood blanket that my great-grandmother made for me.
What’s the greatest length you’ve gone to for a client?
I’ve sent a print request for 200 saddle-stitched booklets while on my flight to a client’s event. We had the materials printed that day, couriered to BWI, flown to California, and then couriered from LAX to the venue, so I could have them before the event started the next day.
Do you have any superstitions?
I’m a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I must watch every game for us to win. If I’m only following on my phone and not able to watch the game, we won’t win.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
The Judgment of Paris in 1976–I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that tasting. I’d also love to taste the wines!
What is something you hate but wish you loved?
Seafood. Love the idea of it, but can’t get behind anything except oysters.
Garden gnomes — what do you think?
Not that into them…
If you joined the circus, what would your circus act be?
Tightrope Walker
What one object do you take with you on a desert island (you have water and food already)?
Are there other people on this island? I feel like I’d go crazy if I didn’t have someone to talk to. If other people are not allowed, then I’d say a boat, so I can leave the island after a brief vacation.
Who inspires you?
My friends. I have a fabulous group of some boss ladies who always challenge me to me better and pursue my dreams.
What is something you get wrong every time you try?
Trying to not make store names possessive. In the midwest we add an “s” to the name of every store e.g. Barnes & Nobles, Krogers, Meijers, etc. It is really hard to break that habit.
Who would you like to sit next to on a 10 hour flight?
Mark Hoppus and/or Tom DeLonge from blink-182
What was the last gift you got someone?
I sent a friend a gift card to a spa in DC.
If you could talk to one species of animals, which one would it be?
Cats, I’d love to know what my cat Ophelia is thinking (or maybe I don’t).
If NJI were a television show or movie, what would it be?
Cheers!
Who will Pixel interview next? The subject is yet to be revealed, but your patience will be rewarded. She always has the most unexpected ideas.
