Creative Director

Does anyone at the Junior or mid-level here not aspire to be a creative director? I was in a conversation with some coworkers today about the advertising career ladder. Whether from lack of desire or ability to manage others, not everybody will rise to CD level. Does anyone here want to stay a writer or art director your whole career instead of moving into a management position? And is that even possible without aging out or getting priced out?

Does anyone know what the salary range for L9 Specialist role within Accenture CD&O in UK?

Any thoughts/ tips on following up with a CD after applying for a role? Company is fairly small, I haven’t heard back but thinking about reaching out to the CD via linked in? Any tips on what to say to get their attention? Really hoping to get a response 😬

Im considering getting a career / exec coach, I’m a few years into a CD role, and feel that it’s something I would benefit from. Has anyone done this? Would be great to hear any recommendations!

When reaching out to someone at an agency about working there (ignoring the application portal or if the job I want isn't actually listed) who should I contact? CD? ECD? CCO? I've only worked at small shops with one to two CDs, so I'm not sure what the etiquette is here. I assume that a CCO would have the final hiring sign-off, but are they too high up for this stage of the process? Help me Fishbowl, you're my only hope.

Take a promo to become a CD at an agency or take a Designer position at a tech company? The money will be about the same after bonus and stocks.

Company was restructured. My position got shifted from CD to Global CD, making me responsible for three global markets as oppor to the single one. Am I correct to ask for a contract update and pay increase as a result?

So I heard a big name agency was hiring and reached out to literally every CD and recruiter I could find on LinkedIn. Today, an HR coordinator/recruiter there just got back to me to set up a phone call. Is this a for sure “we like your book and are considering you” or are some recruiters just nice enough to hear you out without any expressed interest? The optimistic part of me says “nice job, they might want you”. The pessimistic part says “she’s just being nice”.

Just signed an offer for my first CD role at an agency and feeling anxious/nervous/ahhhhh

@Creatives, Is your agency hiring senior-CD level creatives? Wondering if agencies are bringing in new people? Or just expecting staffers to make due.

Hi guys! Currently a L10 in Accenture (CD&O) with 2 YOE (However has further 2 YOE of relevant experience outside of ACN) and now being offered a M1 grade role within Deloitte Consulting with a 40% raise. Was told this was the top end of the range for M1 accounting for the 4 YOE. However, I'm placed well within Accenture with a good leadership and career prospects with the caveat of being on a CD&O role, hence, historically slower career progression. Should I be taking the offer? NE practice

Reached out to the talent manager and a creative director via LinkedIn, about an open role I applied for at an agency I’m super interested in. Did this about 3 days ago. Do you think I overstepped? I know that wasn’t super long ago—how long should I wait before following up? Should I follow up by email? Would that even be appropriate? This all may be unnecessary to ask, but I’m an anxious person and this has all been plaguing me the past couple days. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’m interested in a position at my current agency, working on another client. It’d mean no longer working with my current CDs who I love, but seems like a cool opportunity. Do I casually ask my CD about it and express interest? Don’t feel like my work is done on my current team, but the client is very cool and has great potential.

what’s the going rate for VP, CD position in LA (at a media platform started by a celeb)

Those of you who have had remote CD gigs, would love to hear the pros and cons. Considering a remote role and would love perspective on this.

Need advice: If you were asked to complete an assignment as part of an interview process (for a high level CD position client-side), how would you politely decline this request?

I just moved country for my husband’s job and am talking with an agency for CD role. I had a great chat with both ECD and MD and now they asked for more information about the team I was managing in my previous job. But, there was not a solid team structure at that agency and I just worked with designers / art directors chosen by the account directors. Could be one or several creatives. I was in this freestyle cross agency position as ACD without a partner as well. (Cont)

CD role at a large agency on a single global account and leading a team of creatives dedicated to this account. 18 yrs experience. What’s it worth?

What is a normal amount of paid time off to ask for when negotiating a new role as a full-time Creative Director in the United States? I’m coming from Australia and am unsure of the standard. I heard two weeks for your first job... but since I’ve got 15 years experience, I should expect / ask for more than that, right? Thanks in advance!

I was planning on updating my portfolio during the break but I’m feeling very “meh” about the work that I created in 2020. I did a launch this year and most of the pieces don’t seem portfolio worthy. What kind of work should I be putting in so that a CD would consider hiring me?

I was interviewing for a freelance job and asked about the creative director (small, new company). The CEO said they haven’t hired one yet and it took everything in my power to ask to be considered for that role. He wants to continue the convo tomorrow. I have 15 years of experience and have done the job of people and project manager and directed large content before. Without the title or salary! How can I prove to him that I can bring value and expertise to this role (besides from my portfolio)

I just became the first Creative Director at a small-ish (70-80 employees) digital agency. Our current workflow doesn’t really allow for the traditional CD approval/involvement process. A few people are open for change. Several creatives feel threatened that they won’t have as much creative freedom now. And strategists are concerned about efficiencies with an added person to account workflow. Any advice or insights on how to best navigate this new CD role within this type of environment?

Does anyone have intel about culture at Goldman Sachs? Their latest CD position looks appealing, but finance can be so damn dry.

After interviewing with ACD and CD a month ago (felt it went really well but who knows) I haven’t heard anything... They said there was no immediate timeline, and I was definitely reaching in terms of experience but definitely felt like I could step up to the challenge and do a great job- is it hopeless yet? ALSO, just had a recruiter for a ~dream job~ reach out to me for a position but haven’t heard anything further on that yet, is it bad? This comes after a year of totally brutal rejections.

Possibly moving to San Francisco within my agency network. What’s the salary range for CD? 3 years in the role, 13 in the industry, worked in UK and Australia, some recent awards (D&AD etc). Seeing ranges from 150 to 200. Also, position is not a CD amongst others at the same level, it’s a head of department role (if that makes any difference). Any input or thoughts welcomed.

How can I pivot from working as an ad agency art director to a commercial director/DP? I’m trying to get on as much commercial production experience as possible in my current role to build up experience. I’m also doing a lot of side projects - I have a couple shorts in some no name festivals and am getting better on each project. My original thought was to work my way up to Creative Director and pivot from there but I’m not sure if that’s the correct route. Any advice is appreciated!!

Hey all, any Tombras folks here know the CD/team looking to fill the jr writer role?

Why take ft role when pay is so much lower than freelancing? Seeing CD salaries of around 200k, but as a freelancer im doing 300k with my daily rate. Am i missing something? are ppl sacrificing ton of $$ for job security?

Hey, amazing recruiters, I would love to have your input. I’m someone that has always been paid above my position level. I make the equivalent of a CD. Mostly because I have a good reputation of overdelivering and few awards. And I like being an ACD. But with covid, I wonder if it’s better to be a cheap CD than a expensive ACD. What do you think? In your experience, do you have more CD positions or more ACD positions?

If I was freelancing as a senior designer and the company asked me to move into a CD role, managing the entire 15 person creative studio, why percent pay increase should I be asking for?

Stepped into my first CD role and looking to keep my leadership skills sharp as time goes along, as well as hoping to learn as much as possible to be a good leader for my team. What are some great books or podcasts that you'd recommend?

Been an art director for 12 months but grown in my role significantly & my boss told me my next promo was “political”. I’m managing well over 1.5M a year, 9 brands. Functioning with little to no oversight on a day-to-day basis, w/ only strategy checkins with my CD. 100% client facing. I’m managing 1 direct report and from 2-8 copy and art freelancers at any time. I feel like all my stretch goals are ACD focused. Yet still need SAD before ACD. Does this sound like an art director? Pharma agency.

Hello ladies! I was referred by a CD for a great role and I’m actually really interested in switching agencies. The thing is I’m due in 2 weeks! Should I let the recruiter know, and disclose that I’m about to leave for 15 weeks or would you just take the call and let them know afterwards? I’m torn because I’m so close to my due date. It’s not like I can start then leave.