Life at MSTF Partners
By: Steven Shapiro, SEAS ’21
MSTF Partners – Lisbon, Portugal
My internship is at a marketing agency, MSTF Partners, and it is the largest and most successful advertising firm in all of Portugal. What makes the agency so unique however is its one of a kind atmosphere. Partners prides itself in its “out-of-the-box” philosophy, bringing creative and effective strategies to their clients, including but not limited to Kia, Meo, CTT, Visit Portugal, and the Portuguese National Soccer Team, and their ingenuity shows both in the work they produce and in the office. The first thing you’ll notice at Partners is right when you walk through the front doors–a massive cage filled to the brim with hundreds of awards. On my first day in the office, my supervisor explained to me that the display is intended to be a constant reminder of everything that the agency has already accomplished, but that the awards are kept in a cage to remind the agency that they are not a driven by recognition and that they should not let their creativity be confined by what they think will be praised. Partners emphasizes quality and genuine work above all, and the national recognition and support is just a reassuring addition.
The next noticeable impression of my workplace is the (seeming) lack of hierarchy or organization throughout the office. On any given day, you will walk through the office hearing music drifting from one room to another, dogs running throughout the halls, employees doing yoga in the garden, or co-workers talking outside, enjoying their espresso and cigarettes. At first, it shocked me that any productive work was accomplished here at all, and I quickly learned that the very same care-free environment is what makes Partners so amazing in the first place. Employee morale is higher than anywhere I have ever seen, and it makes the entire office dedicated to their work, meeting deadlines happily. The sense of community is also incredible here, and within just a couple days, I was welcomed by my co-workers and felt very comfortable in my new setting. This strong bond between employees makes them incredibly efficient in the workplace, but it also carries on after hours.
The pictures I included are of Terreiro do Paço, the main square in Lisbon during the Portugal vs. Spain World Cup match. I attended the public viewing with some of my fellow employees, going straight from work and witnessing an incredible spectacle, seeing tens of thousands of Portuguese football enthusiasts unite for 90 minutes, cheering with every goal and silent with every concession. It was truly heartbreaking when Portugal was eliminated against Uruguay in the round of 16, but every night that they won a match before that, the streets would be filled with fans celebrating until 4 in the morning. My co-workers have also invited me to play football with them at local fields outside of the city, going to bars after work for a bite to eat, and celebrating the company’s 15th anniversary at a beach-side restaurant in Almada, Portugal. The culture at Partners is one that I hope to be part of in whatever career I pursue in the future, and the entire staff has helped to make my experience in Lisbon unforgettable.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce. Placements and funding awards are available.