Over 40 in Advertising

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

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

What’s harder you think? And I realize both are VERY hard. Landing freelance as an older creative? Or landing clients as your own mini-agency as a creative team with a new business person? As much as … more

Sound familiar? Applied for agency ACD/CW job, friend who's a partner (in diff. dept) responded: "We’d be lucky to nab you but they want 'digital native' who can also *maybe knock woo… more

At what point in your career did you realize that stability, a decent paycheck, and work-life balance was more important than climbing the ladder? I was on a fast track for leadership roles but throug… more

The existential dread is the worst part of a midlife crisis

Bill Belichick can't even get hired these days.

I've now had 3 recruiters and 2 ECDs reach out to me out of the blue and said, "Wow...I haven't seen a book with good headlines and concepts in like...forever". (Their words, not min… more

At what point do you give up trying to be C suite and just hanging out as a G for the rest of your career?

Aside from HR, who knows our ages? Or do people pay more attention to salaries these days?

Can’t believe I’m considering this but here goes. I seem to have people like my book. Then I go to get on the zoom call, turn on the camera, and get “that look” when they see the bald head and wrinkle… more

In your opinion, who are some of the smaller shops in smaller markets doing great creative work? I’ve worked in several smaller markets trying to put them on the map. But invariably the owners feel… more

For agencies needing big talent w/o paying big $, why *wouldn't* they be interested in a proven, highly-awarded, -respected & -liked "veteran" ECD+ creative who's seen & done… more

We DO exist...

Honest question. And I think I know the answer, but anyway. Are ideas dead in this industry? Like the big ones we all grew up with? Or is it really all just pump out the social channels with a mass of… more

To my post producer and audio engineer friends, what’s a free program that will allow you to convert a song on YT to an mp4?

A recruiter recently told me not to have any dates that start with “19xx” on my resume. (I started working in 1996) and that I should just list my first and second job (that I was at for nearly 10 yea… more