Creative Discussions
Layoffs

Hey all - does anyone have open Art Director roles at the moment? My husband was recently laid off due to client budgets getting slashed (vs. performance) and would appreciate any leads. He worked on a ton of paid social creative, OOH, etc. and is client-facing. Thanks in advance.

I have awesome creative work from a client that has fallen into scandal. Specifically, they were a recently acquired beverage company who’s CEO was in a sexual scandal and then the company went into layoffs and rushed get more investor money to try to salvage the business. Needless to say, it didn’t work but the brand got sold to some super conglomerate.

All this to say, do I put the good work in my portfolio? Do I keep it password protected? What would you do?

I just landed a full time role in creative at an agency but I have PTSD from my last job. I know this is kind of a broad ask, but I could use any advice that would help me not be terrible at work and keep me from getting fired.

i just had an excellent review with my supervisors. we are aligned i am ready to be promoted. i will be moving from project manager to senior project manager.

the catch; my company has laid off 75% of its staff, and cut our salaries by 25%.

timing is unclear, since we work in the live entertainment space. what is fair to ask for?

i have 7 years work force experience, am the only one in my position, touch every creative deliverable the agency makes, and updated and streamlined 10+ processes.

If you’re a creative who was laid off at Ogilvy Health and are looking, we’re hiring. please private message me for more information.

hey all, i’m 3 years into my career. some decent work produced, some awards (mostly student). after getting laid off last fall and many many applications and emails sent, I’ve decided to spend time and money on a creative PR stunt to get my dream agencies’ attention. I’ve decided I don’t want to settle any longer, and I’m ready to make the jump to the elite.

so people that have made it to their dream agencies: when did it happen for you, what made it happen, and was it everything you hoped for?

Have layoffs already begun at Richards Group? Unrelated, but not really: Know of an opening in creative? Post it here.

I keep an eye on an untalented psychopathic ex creative partner of mine. They were super good at talking the talk, so they’ve been getting jobs way above their ability. So far 5 for 5 fired within six months. Just saw they picked up a new role. 🍿 🍿

Day One of being in the freelance game after being laid off thanks to COVID. Terrified and Depressed in equal measures but I do believe there is opportunity out there to partner with the right people (creative lead, business lead) to roll up some smaller sized clients into something approaching a business.

As many of us navigate the challenges of negotiating during Covid layoffs, my question is what do you think is a good, fair and realistic salary for an independent agency to offer a Creative Director with 10+ years of experience in metro Detroit, considering the current economic climate?

Can someone please refer me to a Labor Lawyer in NYC? A coworker got laid off without a warning or evaluation process, just because our creative director had personal issues with her. We think she has a case. She’s a great creative and deserve justice.

Do you actively ask your creative directors to write LinkedIn recommendations for you when you leave a job or get laid off? Do you think they actually help during the job search?

Agency has seen a lot of turnover due to layoffs and departures. How much notice would you expect a group creative director to give with that context?

When someone gets laid off early on in their career, how do recruiters and creative directors evaluate their portfolio? Especially if it doesn’t have much produced work...

What’s the vibe at McCann Health NY? A post a few days ago said some C suite layoffs happened. Is that good or bad? Looking at a position there (not creative).

I’ve applied to over 40 jobs since I was laid off in March. Not one click to my portfolio, per analytics. With a family of four, we are being spread thin. Not only is the income desperately needed, but my creative soul needs a release. I would be happy to do typical Art Director work but I’m “over qualified” for that and am never taken seriously when applying for work below CD/ACD. If anyone needs or know of any company needing freelance work, large or small—I’d really appreciate the lead. 🙏

I’ve applied to over 40 jobs since I was laid off in March. Not one click to my portfolio, per analytics. With a family of four, we are being spread thin. Not only is the income desperately needed, but my creative soul needs a release. I would be happy to do typical Art Director work but I’m “over qualified” for that and am never taken seriously when applying for work below CD/ACD. If anyone needs or know of any company needing freelance work, large or small—I’d really appreciate the lead. 🙏

If you weren’t a creative what job would pursue? I got laid off in April and have only had 1 interview :/

I was trying hard to get a new job in NYC before pandemic but obviously had to put all that on hold. Now I’ve been at my first agency for over 3 years now and am worried I’ll be pigeon-holed in the niche creative I’ve been doing. I still want to go to NYC eventually but don’t know when or how. Should I just be counting my blessings that I have a job? Is it awful that I almost wish I was laid off so I could finally just jump ship and move to NYC and make it work?

I’ve worked at some top agencies as a creative but still early in my career. Got an offer at Tiktok. Worried about making the switch, but no agency is hiring right now and I was laid off. Can I go back to agency life when this is all over? Is Tiktok even a respected company given all the suspicions surrounding them?

When your mother wants to have a condescending argument when I tell her that I’m not qualified for the “creative director” position she sent from craigslist. Then continues to say, ‘well you don’t know until you try’. When I tell her I’m not qualified, she responds, ‘okay well you’re not qualified lets move on to a other topic’. Considering I’m a recently laid off junior, and she doesn’t seem to understand the ladder of career development. 🙄🙄🙄 Save me!

I was laid off last month but now in the final interview stage for two very different opportunities.

First opp is a digital agency and they asked if I’d consider a part-time contract gig with the “goal to hire” in 60 days, depending on the COVID impact. So no guarantee for a full-time offer. Second opp is a client side marketing role at a publicly traded company that has been somewhat recession-proof. Culture is very corporate and a bit conservative (not creative).

What would you choose?

I can’t think properly for a brief that wants to join in on the conversation of what’s happening. I feel it’s inappropriate to do so, but my boss expects “creative” ideas from me. If I don’t deliver, I have a feeling I could get fired. How do you deal with this?

Former CW here. Went the planning route because i already had a corporate background that helped me start off at a higher pay. Recently laid off and trying to find an angle to exploit my creative and strategic expertise. I used to be a good cw -and even won awards- but i really needed the income planning offered. I’ve also done well as a planner. What can I do? I have mentored many creatives and strategists to know that I might be a good ACD, as I seem to have more talent at guiding than doing.

Wanted to get some insight. Recently laid off due to pandemic. Was in an irrelevant field. Turning 40 soon & considering a career change into creative. Considering going to MAS NY as this location is only option. Finances not a concern. I can afford school & living expenses & work 5-10 yrs to make 100k+ again. Complete beginner at Adobe but will be taught by my significant other who is ACD at big agency. 1) level of adobe needed entering MAS? 2) Landing jobs after graduating? 3) am I crazy?
TIA

Hi to all the mamas who have been laid off! I’ve been laid off since the start of this whole mess and wondering what other mamas (especially the single ones like me) are doing/thinking/feeling about their next steps? Just looking for some comrades here as I’m feeling a little daunted at the fact that no one is hiring right now. Anyone need any score work/music for their projects? At this point, I’m super happy to do spec work just to keep busy and feel creative still.

Anyone ever transition from creative to account? Thinking that if I get laid off I might go after those roles too. How’d you get them to give you a shot?

No one in the creative department should be laid off until the Global Chief Creative Officer position is eliminated. It has no purpose today. Nobody is flying to different offices and award shows.

What specialty loses people first in layoffs? What specialty loses people last in layoffs? Here’s the list: project management, account, creative, strategy, planning, analytics.

I’ve been laid off twice in the past 12 months. Both places were start ups, but I’m worried my whole career is going to be like this as a creative. It seems like we’re the first to go. Thoughts?

Is it noteworthy to have worked in the creative industry for 23 years -18 in advertising, without ever being fired or laid-off? Are there medals or gold watches for that?

Art Director: *gets laid off*
Art Director on LinkedIn: *updates title to Freelance Creative Director*

....no.

I was just laid off from a mid-sized B2B agency trying to go creative and changing their mind. Any advice on the portfolio since the creative is... lacking?

Anyone else come from creative? I made the move about a year ago after being laid off (out of necessity, junior strat roles in creative were hard to come by), and have found the transition...

I’m a junior creative with 2 years of experience under my belt. Im getting laid off. How common is this? How do you not lose hope?

Being a creative is having imposter syndrome until you get laid off for turning 40

What's a creative to do when they need to leave their current agency, but it seems like every big shop in LA has had layoffs for one reason or another, so no one is hiring? 😫