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Does anyone have experience working with Beam Suntory in Chicago? Offered a role but i’ve heard some iffy things and would love to learn about the work environment.

To all Partners + Agency Leaders: if you can’t inspire the weakest person on your team. Then don’t be a agency leader or partner. Want to know why most people are not coming back to advertising? 90% of our leaders in this industry can’t teach or lead. Agencies want to keep hiring more senior people and not teach young talent. We are in a staffing shortage because agency leaders put revenue over healthy growth. Yes even indie agencies are no different than holding companies now. Do better!

How many candidates does a recruiter usually handle at a time for a potential role?

I’m trying to make the jump from agency > platform (not FB…more like Spotify or Twitter etc.). I work with reps at these places as part of my job, but technically their loyalty is to my clients (the ones spending $ on their platform), not to me, working at the client’s creative agency. So it feels weird asking them for a recommendation or referral, but that would obviously be easier than applying on the jobs site... How do I utilize my “network” without making things awkward?

Craziest tea you ever spilled in your exit interview?

Does anyone have recommendations for a career coach either based in Chicago or accessible virtually? Looking for interview prep/training specific for agency leadership position. Many thanks !

I’m started at a new company mid-week with no break between my old and new job. What can I do to refresh my mind, be inspired and in the right headspace for this new role so I can give it my best?

Working with an external headhunter for the first time. How will this hiring experience differ from my solo efforts? Any difference in timing?

Am on day 3 of a new senior gig I’m very excited about, however finally got an email to interview for another senior position at the dream agency/team I’ve been networking/emailing with for months.

Feel a bit dirty even interviewing taking the call as I just joined…but also who am I to turn down an opp? What would you do?

I started a new role 30 days ago. HR did a check in with me today and the HR lady gave me some new feedback that was my first time hearing about. Meaning my manager never brought this up in our 1x1s or when I have asked about feedback. Is this protocol or should I be concern that they are raising concerns to HR without talking to me after my first month?

Serious question: Why are reference checks still a thing? At least ones that are shared by the candidate? We're always gonna give people who will talk us up. I've even had friends use their friends as "co-workers" as a reference for a job. One person actually did this because the job was a key role in getting the new job due the responsibilities but the company itself was toxic and they didn't connect with any coworkers.

I’ve landed a job in an unconventional way so there’s not a job description for my role. It’s a role open to flex and shaping by myself and team, but should I push for a JD for my own sanity down the line?

Expecting offers for junior roles at a few big agencies while they reference check. The ranges I provided are on the high end of what is expected. What is negotiable in offers for a junior role? Never negotiated before.

Are in-house places like Spotify, apple, etc hiring remote?

How do I create an ecosystem that helps people explore the outer edges of what they’re capable of doing?


One of my favorite questions that Angus Wall asks in Jason Sperling’s Creative Directions. I think it really nails the the role of a good CD. I would love to hear how you’ve created this space.

Marketing has turned more into a science then art, and I’d like to switch to a more creative brand role. I do graphic design and lead my small company’s B2B brand. I have a masters in brand strategy as well. Do I start as a designer? I can copy write as well. I have 13 years under my belt and just hate my job (exp. in marketing, internal comms, brand). I need to be around more creative art stars. What’s the best way to switch? 😞

Is it proper etiquette to send a thank you gift when someone gives you a reference? Some of my references actually took time for a phone call with the hiring manager and some emailed. I’m thinking a Starbucks gift card?

Hiring managers, what’s your take on thank you emails after interviewing candidates?

Do creative directors have time for family or hobbies or is life all about work to them? I got offered a creative director position and a client side position not sure which to take. WLB is important to me

Not a question but need a place to rant...I've always said I'd leave my company before things go south. I've been in some positions before where it was hell and every day I was dreading work a lot. I swore I'd never let myself be in that position. This current place is quite good in a lot of ways and I like my work. Things were going quite good...until they weren't. Idk when things switched up but now I'm actively searching for a job and it sucks I didn't see the writing on the wall earlier

I accidentally offered too low of a range when I was offered a new position and of course the formal job offer came back at the low number. As soon as it came out of my mouth I regretted it but here we are now. Do I have any chance to negotiate or will I look like a jerk because I gave the number in the first place? If so, what should I say?

Any R/GA folks willing to give a reference for a junior role?

A little help please… 😓

I’m currently an AE who feels more like a Strategist and wants to pivot to a JS role. I’ve told the SLT at M&C Saatchi and they’re responding slowly (I’m now working hybrid roles on current projects/love the clients & people/got given a small pay rise) but they’re also telling me it’ll take time & it’s rare for an AE to become a JS.

However, I’ve potentially got a JS job offer with Anomaly (London). Do I stay and grow slowly, or do I go and get the role I want quickly?

Interview coming up at Viacom. What’s the culture like these days? Fair comp? Is remote-only option available? Would be for a Director/Executive level role(s). TIA!

The hiring process is dated and exhausting

a. No less than 3-5 interviews. If you’re in tech, that final “on-site” is likely a test or presentation equivalent to hours of work.
b. Then, the thank you notes to eeeevvveerrryyyooonnee you interviewed with
c. The anxiety-ridden waiting game
d. The offer + negotiations
e. References
f. Background check

WTFFFF, ya’ll owe me $$$ for my time

Anyone know anyone who is hiring in Berlin?

I speak English (will learn German), 1.5 years experience (art direction), would move to Berlin. Unfortunately can’t move to Hamburg or elsewhere at the moment.

Any bit of help or advice appreciated!

1.5 yrs experience at mid level at a holding company agency, working on accounts that should in theory present a ton of creative opportunity, but for many reasons that is not the case. I have very little produced work and that seems unlikely to change. Am in final rounds of interviews for a senior position at another holding company agency on an account where the work will almost certainly not be “great” but should be able to make a lot of it. Do I make that jump to senior this early?

I have a written offer that’s contingent on a background check. I don’t anticipate any hang ups with the check but would like to wait until giving my notice until everything is official. My question is that there’s a set start date on my written offer. Which could leave my current position with under a 2 week notice period. Thoughts on how to cautiously proceed while waiting for background check to complete?

When you leave a position for another agency, do you tell your manager where you are going? I will potentially be resigning for the first time for a promo elsewhere, so unsure of procedure.

Also, if I call my manager (CD) to let him know, I don’t also need to call my boss’s boss (ECD / VP type), correct? I would think I just include him in the resignation email along with my CD and Exec producer (I’m production side).

any agencies in the south florida area hiring?

I just signed an offer letter for a new role that starts in 2 weeks and I’ve given notice. However, I just heard back from a job I applied to weeks ago and they want to move forward. It’s client side for an industry I’ve dreamed of going into. Should I even consider moving forward if I’m going to have to pull out of the job I already signed for or worse, quit right away after starting? This is assuming I get the job, which is a big if.

Anyone hiring ADs in Chicago? Or remotely?

Head hunter cold messages on LinkedIn: “I have the perfect role for you at a great independent agency”

I message back asking where and they respond “it’s actually a bunch of roles at your level. Care to chat?

Red flag, or is that just how it goes?

I currently work at a smaller-ish agency (80 people) so I take on more responsibilities than my title might suggest. I will be starting a new role in a few weeks, but at a much larger agency. Even though it's a better title, I already feel overqualified for the position.

What conversations should I have with my new manager to be considered for a promotion within my first year?

How many years of experience do you feel like I would need before my bosses move me into a manager role? For some background: my company does all their media and marketing in house. When I was originally hired I was hired as the media traffic coordinator and our media manager just handled OOH. Well our media manager left the beginning of July and now I handle all of the media traffic plus OOH plus coordinate with our production team for needed assets. (Cont in comments)

Started a new job recently and really enjoying it, but my boss is challenging to work with. Just got emailed about an opportunity to join a team I’ve heard great things about, making more money and working in a cheaper city, but the role is further from what I want long-term. Is it worth it to make the jump this early in my career? Any way to avoid burning the bridge with my current role?