Related Posts
Hello everyone :)
Anyone like Rhaenyra a lot more than Daenerys?
Additional Posts in Advertising Confessions
Mr. Manager is posting again y'all 🤡
Good lord this open space is insufferable
Sometimes I don't uphold the company mission 😱
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.



And 100% bad managers
I can’t wait to be ECD 😎
👆to be fair, it’s extremely difficult to know whether a CD is a phenomenal manager or not based on their portfolio.
The work may be great, but that may be because:
1) they work at an agency with amazing creatives who keep them afloat
2) their EP is incredible and makes sure the work gets done even though the CD is a mess
3) they had a super easy, super creative client who bought everything
A good signal is always to see whether they’re able to do good work at multiple agencies. If they did tons of amazing stuff at Droga, but everything since they left has been mediocre, they’re probably a hack who just got a good job thru connections / luck.
Is there a fear of judgement in the industry that hiring an ECD who’s a great manager vs an ECD with a great book but who’s untested as a manager? Why does this problem persist?
Somewhat of a generalization…
I’m sure at VMLY&R that’s true. 😉
The Peter Principle in action.
I’m lucky to have my current ECD. Great creative and a solid CD/manager. But yeah, some real stinkers in the past.
Wonder if you’d all rather a good CD that’s a so so creative? Would you respect them and their feedback enough?
👆to be honest, I’d expect any good agency to be hiring ECDs who are both great creatives and great managers.
There are a lot of them out there if you look hard enough and aren’t just hiring based on award show lists.
But yes, given the choice, I’ll take someone who can creative direct who doesnt have 80 cannes lions over someone who is highly awarded but has no idea how to run a team.