Over 40 in Advertising

Happy Holidays all! Any good resume inspiration out there? For context, I’m mid-career, been at my company for 9 years and wouldn’t rule out a pivot in the next couple of years. I’ve been bad about up… more

Any advice on managing teams, helping them grow while fully remote? Beyond endless zoom calls.

Veteran ADs, if you already had the concept approved, and have 1.5 days to work, how many versions of adlobs would you create to show...to sell the concept/show look and feel and put a line/picture to… more

Have you partnered with anybody who's likley, nearly half your age who has only worked on social? New art partner is insisting on some pretty cheesy VO suggestions and I need help letting them kno… more

Is it me or is it hard to find creative positions? especially when you’re not in the field? Because of circumstances I’m in a law office where I can’t really use my skills. Any thoughts?

Do you think Millennials and Gen Xers treat their birthdays differently into their 40s? (A group dinner event, cocktails, taking a day off from work, having coworkers make a birthday announcement, soc… more

At what age are women seeing a change in work assignments, drop in opportunity or trouble getting hired?

Age biased?

Is it me or does every Ad/Creative/Branding Agency seem age biased. I look at their About page staff photos and almost all of them are under 30. Only the principals seem over 40. This seem… more

Based on what I’ve seen in almost every bowl here, I’m fortunate to have a job—especially at over 50, working in the creative department of an agency. But the truth is, I’m constantly burnt out and st… more

I have been applying to companies but I have not received a response of any sort nor am I able to contact anyone directly. A month later I see the job has been reposted, Is this now a common tactic of… more

What's your process when concepting big ideas for campaign platforms and proof of concepts? Would love some hints for getting started and unstuck. Thanks in advance.

Hi there. Is anyone working with a CFP (fiduciary) that they have been happy with? I’m , looking to get a handle on where we are and any adjustments to be made for our financial future. Thanks!

Cross posting here:

Good morning! I’m starting to explore some new opportunities after being at my current company for a long time. As a start, does anyone have a good recruiter for either freelance or… more

If you were over 40, had 2 kids under 5, lived in NYC, but were dying to move to burbs (specifically CT to be a little closer to family)…how would you go about confidently doing that, given our volatile AF industry?
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"Not looking for ACDs or CDs" feels a bit like, if I want to market myself as a Sr. Copywriter (which I know is a lower rate, duh!), why is it okay for you to tell me I can't?

At what age did you feel it was harder to get hired?

Need advice for interacting with Millennials of equal and/or supervisory levels. Have you ever found that if you are too nice and treat them like friends they see it as a sign of weakness, and then co… more

Just started a gig at a digital agency. So grateful to be employed for a minute. But also it's so stiff and beige. The calls are all droned-deck reading. Zero personality. Remember laughing at wor… more

I’d love to hear your thoughts about what I call “ageism from within”. I am in my early 50s and I have been able to be hired in creative roles despite of my age, so I cannot say that I have been discr… more

What if...
I change my LinkedIn photo to a younger version of myself, and remove all my education/empolyment dates, and change my title from CD to Sr.? Then I can double dip Sr.-level jobs? Just until … more

Just watched "The Internship" for the first time in a long time. It's a great reminder that we are good in a very special way.

so here goes…

I’m a CD at a company that’s changed more CMOs, CEOs, and Owners in 8 years than most companies do in 80. It’s been a rollercoaster but I’m used to it, but i don't think it will last more than this year.

I’m … more

Yo, yo: a few of the recent posts from colleagues in what are politely called the “transitional” years suggest people might be looking for relevant support services — later stage career and financial planning, employment leg… more

What are some outside passion projects you all are working on? Or something you pivoted into besides advertising that is exciting you like when we were in the good old days creating things we loved or… more

At a crossroads of whether to leave a comfortable job where I’m nearly fully remote/hybrid for a more challenging role that pays a significant amount more but is mostly in the office. Have a 2 year ol… more

I am 44. A GCD in NY, but remote in another state. Net worth of a little over a million. I don’t know if I’m behind, ahead or somewhere in the middle. I have two young kids and my anxiety levels are o… more

Well, It’s Come To This. I’ve been freelancing through the worst period for advertising contractors in 20 years, and an agency finally wants to talk to me about a ft opportunity. The kicker is that it… more

What are some actual differences between Gen X and Gen Z in agencies? Good or bad. So curious about why they are the darlings, over our (fun personalities!) experience. I see us (aged) as more loose, … more

Starting to feel like the kid who graduated from college but keeps coming back for the parties 😅😵‍💫

Is it just me? Or are the only seemingly “irresponsible” creatives, the ones swinging for the fences with the off-the-wall ideas…the ones over 40 in the room? Seems like the current generation prides … more

Least ageist agencies in Los Angeles area? Go!

When a young art director explains to you how advertising works. And you have to bite your lip to keep yourself from saying “I’ve been doing this professionally since before you were born.”

Only 47 years spanned between DDB’s “Lemon” ad for Volkswagen (1960), and when Netflix announced streaming (2007). This means Gen X and younger never got to experience a full career in advertising.

Anyone else over 40 having a hard time landing a new job after being laid off? Most people I interview with are way younger and some even have the audacity to say I don’t have enough experience even t… more