A marketing director discovered his habit of over-preparing for pitches made him rigid and less effective. After accidentally winning a pitch while severely hungover and unscripted, he realized that a more natural, relaxed presentation allows for better use of experience and adaptability.
Despite being so intoxicated he couldn't remember his pitch, a creative director won a major client. His partner agency didn't even notice his condition. This suggests that projecting a relaxed, uninhibited demeanor can be more influential than delivering a perfectly memorized but tense presentation.
An agency director showed up to a joint pitch at a partner's office while severely hungover. While it ended well, the situation highlights the magnified risk; poor performance would have damaged not only his own company's reputation but also the professional standing of the host agency that vouched for him.