Over 40 in Advertising

Looking for a strong conceptual creative team, CW & AD, for a possible 6 month gig. Car experience is a major plus, 7+years agency experience. Team players, no egos. Send names & portfolios.

It’s a tough balance of having the years of experience necessary for the leadership roles, but looking a bit younger. This is where beard dye comes in handy. :)

I had an idea about a collective of freelancers over in the freelance bowl. So any of you highly valuable fellow over 40 advertisers, come over and look at that thread and then send me a DM with info

Thinking a lot about my future and seems like in house would be a smart career move. Can’t afford an MBA now though (money or time). Am I stuck agency side until I age out of the industry?

Tired of where I’m at and tired of the interview process. What happened to respect? You engage with people for hours talking having good conversations and then...crickets. No one returns a call, nada!

Anyone with 20+ years at one agency? What do you think? Did the rest of us make a mistake?

Also, how and when you retire: you’re better off waiting til they have to fire you than quit, right?

Chopped off 15 years or experience on LI. Thinking about dyeing my grays now. It will be a tough road, since the ppl I work with are the ones giving me the grays. 😂

I’m about to demote my title and chop 10 years off my resume. The part that hurts is those years have some great brands and my time at BBDO. But I hear this is the only way to get work again. Ugh.

I wish someone in the media would read this bowl. I’m just outraged that we are asking how to demote ourselves, shave 15 years off our resumes, or switch to pharma. Meanwhile, I am deeply thankful....

Watched “Once upon a Time in Hollywood” and couldn’t help but think about my situation in advertising.

Finally finally finally got a freelance gig and it’s actually pretty cool. These 3 months out of work has been a learning experience for sure. Just grateful.

is the over 40 thing a little less important in pharma advertising. I hear there is a shortage of HCP copywriters

2002 was 17 years ago. And what year was 17 years before 2002? 1985.
My brain can’t wrap itself around that.

That thing where a young interviewer’s FIRST question to you is, “I see on your resume you went to (COLLEGE); I knew some people there. What year did you graduate?”

Fortunately: I got the job anyway.

Anyone have any advice on how to move to client side from agency side? I’m not even sure how the job titles translate

47 and just got the boot after 14 years.
Any tips on landing the next gig at this age?

Why when people dress with skimpy summer clothing (revealing) or even when senior members act unprofessional with their feet up on the desk management and HR just turn their heads. Mind boggling.

In today’s edition of “Getting Desperate: Questions I should know the answer to.” It’s clear I need to apply for jobs below my current title. Does this mean I should demote myself on my resume?

I wonder what would happen if advertising creatives - the ones with jobs and the ones looking - did the same thing to recruiters and headhunters that we screenwriters and TV writers did to agents...

Has anyone taken a UX boot camp and if so, would you recommend it? Did you do it to switch careers or add skills to your current role?

I hit 50 a few months back. 28 years in the industry. Crazy.

Potentially large production coming up. looking for a freelance agency producer who is experienced, no BS, team player, self sufficient, good w/ money, open to a 6 month engagement. Car exp. a plus.

Sigh. I haven’t worked in 3 months and got so close today for a freelance gigs $45 an hour. But I was excited to do it. Agency even emailed me to ask if I had my own laptop. (1/2)

I turned 47 today. Shhh don’t tell anyone... 🤐

First day outfit for a creative? I hate showing up overly dressy and making the wrong impression. But T shirt and jeans just feels wrong for Day 1.

Out of work for several months and starting to panic. I’ve interviewed lots. Get lots of interest but not the job- There seems to always be just one thing that doesn’t align. I’m exhausted.

Working from home this week. I use a landline at home because cell reception is bad in my building. Got two calls today from recruiters that are too young to remember how landlines work. Tech-UNSAVVY.

And I don’t really give a f**k, and my excuse is that I’m young And I’m only getting older, somebody shoulda told ya.......

over 40. made a transition from UX to copy. been a CW for 3 years, sup for 1. how are job prospects in NYC?

Hello Fishes ... I’m a talented Art Director that designs well. I think I’m having a mid-career crisis. I need a mentor. Any takers?

Recently I went through a hiring exercise just to find a pair of ACDs for a pharma brand. While I met with some pretty exciting younger teams, every single one of them self destructed...

“Look at all the white middle aged men here”
Ever felt like it’s perfectly acceptable to be ageist? Because this was said to me in our company do last week and I didn’t find it very acceptable.

Good? Interviewing for CD gig at “name” shop. Bad? Potential ECD “boss” has been in biz for half my years & CD partner was an intern when I was 15 yrs in. Book = FAR better than both. Just suck it… more

I am getting older. But more importantly: I am bored...