Steve Han, Ketchum Seoul: Lessons from My First Live Pitch

Alfie Roberts from the Ketchum UK team recently shared their experience about participating in a live pitch, and I have to say—it struck a chord. The funny thing is, a few months ago, I might’ve brushed off their words as just another feel-good anecdote meant for the company newsroom. But after stepping into my very first pitch last week, I get it. I really do.

So, what changed? To answer that, let me rewind a bit. My career up to this point has been all about working behind the scenes. I come from a copywriting background and honestly, I’ve always taken great pride in being the guy in the shadows. If you’re a West Wing fan, I was pretty much Sam Seaborn to someone else’s Jed Bartlet.

I’ve drafted plenty of pitch scripts, polished dozens of RFPs, and helped prep more executives for speeches than I can count. And I loved it. There was a quiet thrill in knowing I was making a difference without standing front and center. No piercing gazes, no unexpected questions to field, no pressure to perform. It felt like the perfect bargain.

So, when I was asked to join the taskforce for a pitch, I wasn’t exactly over the moon. It’s not that I had a deep-seated fear of public speaking. In fact, I’ve never been the type to shy away from voicing my ideas in a meeting or holding my own in a discussion. But standing there, under the scrutiny of a room full of potential clients, was a different story.

From the moment I walked into the room, it felt like an uphill battle. On the outside, I did my best to appear calm and collected, putting on my “public speaking pro” face. Inside, I was wrestling with doubt, trying to convince myself I had this.

Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. The Ketchum Seoul team is full of seasoned pros—people who’ve led pitches and delivered speeches that could leave anyone in awe. They didn’t just show me the ropes; they shared their own stories, too. It turns out even the most experienced speakers still get butterflies. The trick, they said, is learning to channel that nervous energy into something productive.

With their guidance, I found my footing. When my turn came, I managed to push through and deliver my bit without a hitch. But what really blew me away was the reaction from the audience. They leaned in, nodded along, and asked thoughtful questions that went deeper than I’d expected.

That’s when it all clicked. The real magic of a pitch isn’t just about presenting polished ideas—it’s about creating a dialogue, sparking curiosity, and building trust right there in the room. It’s exactly what Alfie described in their post: the energy, the engagement, the validation of seeing your work resonate in real time.

Walking out of that room, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride—not just in myself, but in the team effort that got us there. It was a collaborative effort through and through, and it showed.

Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited for more opportunities to put myself out there, to stretch beyond the comfort zone I’ve held onto for so long. Ketchum has given me the platform to grow not just as a writer behind the scenes, but as a well-rounded professional ready to take the stage when it matters.

For that, I’ll always be grateful.

Authored by Steve Han

Content Editor & Senior Account Executive at Ketchum Seoul