Advertising Discussions
Layoffs

Very concerned January will be an absolute blood bath in terms of layoffs… Just me? Anyone else feeling impending doom lurking around the corner?

Got fired today :/, Merry Christmas to me! Tips on bouncing back from epic failure?

I was laid off right before the holidays and didn’t get to experience this year’s holiday party. Please, let me live vicariously through you and drop your best holiday party drama from this or any other year below.

Been seeing a lot of layoffs right ahead of the holidays - are agencies giving these people their holiday time, then also severance or are these people missing out on the holiday PTO they’d regularly get and it’s getting reframed as severance? If so that’s actually disgusting and I don’t think that’s hyperbolic. I find it unjust because the people already earned that holiday by working up to this point of the year

All of these agencies posting pics and clips from their end of year parties after they just did layoffs are so tone deaf

What’s the layoff sitch across agencies? Hearing mums of some waves

Anyone here ever go back and work for an agency they were fired / let go from?

What clients have had layoffs that you know of?

Ive hit a breaking point. Ive now been on multiple projects, back to back to back, where I’m being expected to pull 13 hour days to pick up the slack for others or meet some ridiculous unrealistic deadline. I want to push back, but with layoffs happening everywhere I’m kind of terrified. Any advice?

I am helping a colleague out with the job search. He/she was recently part of a layoff and looking for the next gig. This person is definitely in my top three of best project managers ever/all time. Any PM or Sr. PM roles out there? I know it’s a little dry right now, so forgive me for asking. He/she currently lives in the Pacific Time Zone; remote opportunities would be great.

During Covid I bounced around a lot (had 3 jobs over 21 months) and was actually fired from my last job in December.

Happy to say that I’ve am celebrating a year in a stable role! The longest held position since my role was cut in June 2020

Are any ad agencies doing layoffs?
(Hearing a lot about it in tech.)

Hey all! Found out on Friday I got laid off due to agency restructuring and budget cuts — but on to better things now. Looking for a mid-level CW position if there are any, I can send my book thru the DMs. Thanks!

Agency fish who have their yearly reviews soon, whatcha thinking? I chatted with a few coworkers who have theirs coming up... a lot of them seem concerned about how much leverage they will have with rising inflation, economic downturn, and rising layoffs.

For those in the same boat, what are you hoping for? If you get a merit or promotional offer - did you plan on negotiating? Or are you going to take what you get and try to stay under the radar just in case layoffs are coming your way?

Have agencies been transparent about layoffs? My company is trying to keep it lowkey and people are only finding out through LinkedIn and rumours

Thoughts on changing jobs heading into a recession? An interesting opportunity has come up (more senior, better pay, good team) but layoff fears (last in first out) is coloring my decision making.

I just started a job that I really love like 3 months ago. Now higher ups are already talking about the possibility of layoffs in the next month. I’m so sad and tired 😭

Recently laid off and interviewing for new roles at the senior brand strat/AD/director level.

I am in the healthcare space - please tell me everything- companies to stay away from, salary ranges to expect, etc. Any info helps because I am looking to stay somewhere long term after being unexpectedly let go.

Thanks!

Layoff negotiation- just got laid off and only getting 2 weeks severance. How and what did you negotiate on the agency side? This seems ridiculously low.

Who are usually let go first in an agency during layoffs? Is it the more junior or more senior?

Would you take the first job that’s offered to you after being laid off even if it doesn’t excite you and it may not be the right fit? In this economy? Worried that it could be a while until something else comes along.

Let’s talk benefits for layoffs… Someone I know is likely going to have their role eliminated and word on the street is that the holding companies are offering fair severance, but only one month of health benefits. Does this seem out of line? Twitter and Meta seem to be offering more, but maybe because those are big shakeups? Discuss…

Am I the only person who has been super disgusted to Fishbowl’s response to the Meta layoffs? I’ve been laid off twice in my career but I’m not mad at 11000 people who no longer have jobs just cause they got decent severance while I got a week on my way out. Facebook is hot garbage but I’m pretty sure 0 out of the 11000 were making those decisions. So why are you upset about it? Urgh. Y’all are weird.

Will probably get lit up for this but how much longer does my LinkedIn feed have to read like an obituary section/no-kill pet shelter adoption drive for laid off Meta employees?

Getting laid off sucks, been there, but I’m confused as to why we’re all supposed to be so collectively heartbroken about this. These people collected a lot of cash and RSUs all while CHOOSING to work for Zuck and build a platform largely responsible for undermining democracy. I’m not feeling that sympathetic.

I guess the thing with a mass layoff is you’re not too embarrassed to tell the world about it. And because it’s a huge company? That everyone mainstream would know what it is? Over and over again. It’s the new 40 under 40. We’re reading day 2 now, for those who are taking a 6 month’s sabbatical are we going to be bombarded by that journal for its entirety? Please do it in the metaverse you were working on.

To everyone that’s been laid off I just want y’all to know that I’m with you. That is why I’m doing the bare minimum until it’s my time to go.

Ad agencies need to do better with the amount of severance offered. R/GA gave 1 week per year and they seemed proud of themselves for doing even that.

Tech companies are offering 16 weeks and we’re fighting for a week or 2, it’s pathetic.

Meta Laying People Off:
Here’s 15 weeks full pay severance, recruiting assistance and free benefits for 6 months.

Holding Companies Laying People Off:
You have 2 hours to leave WPP’s offices or you will be dragged out by security.

I feel terrible for even thinking this, but it’s hard to read all the posts on LinkedIn with all the sob stories of people from Meta being laid off. While it’s sad that they no longer have jobs and they definitely need help, but they have an incredible résumé, ridiculous severance, and as the economy rebounds, they will be the first in line to get amazing and high-paying jobs. Meanwhile, I know tons of mid-level agency and marketing folks who’ve been laid off and struggle over the next months @

Anybody else get laid off today?

With all the layoffs happening in Silicon Valley, will there be a glut of digitally-oriented creatives breaking down the doors to get hired at traditional agencies? Will we hire them?

Was told there is not enough work and laid off. 3 months later there is a cd position posted on linked in. Is asking for feedback and transparency so I can learn for it too much to expect?

Preface: A question based on MANY factors.

From an agency perspective, do layoffs based on performance mean more hirings?

Show of hands, how many times have you been laid off during your professional career ?