alright, i think it’s time me and my ad partner have a little chat. i’m starting to feel like they are monopolizing projects and have this tendency to overstep to the point where they will just change my copy without discussing it with me, sometimes present my work during meetings, or in extreme cases, take credit for my work.

i’m pretty conflict averse… so how do you go about having this conversation?

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“Wait, this copy isn’t right. Is that what I put in the deck?” Then, use their response to gently say “Let’s just talk about that before you do it, okay?” Especially the if the change is something substantive vs. subjective. Also, when that change in process manifests, reward a suggestion they bring: “you’re right, that’s better.”

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ECD1 I left the company earlier this year actually. But I didn't have a CD, only an ACD and an ECD. I made the ACD aware of the issue.. hell my partner rewrote her work once as well, thinking it was mine. Nothing changed. I left for many reasons, but probably would have tried to make it work if my partner weren't such an obstacle.

I’ve been there. A few things I’ve tried…

1- I’m conflict averse too, but sometimes you gotta do it. Blunt but polite, “i need to see copy before it’s shared. My job/reputation are attached to it.”
2- Establish your preferred approach after the briefing “How do you wanna tackle this one? I was thinking XZY.”
3- Humor can be a way to speak to the issue without it feeling like a tense moment

likehelpful

Sneak onto their conputer and flatten their files. Or switch the settings from CMYK to RGB.

funnylike

sinister ☠️ but fair

Address things with your partner first, privately. Just take the direct approach but pad it a bit: “I appreciate your input and suggestions, but copy changes are my job. Please stop changing it without discussing with me first.”
If / Next time they do it, take note and then bring this issue up to the CD or whoever is above you two. If the CD doesn’t address it or if your partner continues, put in a formal request to change partners or teams.

There are bullies in every business and you have to stand up for yourself. I wouldn’t quit because of your partner unless you find a better job or you hate the current job/work. Why make it easy on them? You’d also be letting someone else walk into your same situation without notifying the agency of a problem employee. So I definitely wouldn’t leave without first making it absolutely obvious that your partner is crossing the line and being a d!ck.

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For some ADs being an AD is some kind of weird power trip

smart

I sometimes think it’s the ‘Director’ part that goes to their head, and they let it fuel some weird ego inflation.

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That’s a tough situation. You have to deal with it before it festers. I was in that situation many times - problem is, I’m not sure if the Frank chat works. People who are like that are, in my experience at least, pretty impossible to change. If I were you I’d move on. Don’t try to change them, it’s hard enough dealing with oneself let alone some who freak. Move on. Life is short and the possibilities immense. Unless you’re working with pablo Picasso there, move on.

Do they have roughly the same years experience as you? If yes, they are still learning too and the frank conversation can be helpful to you both. You’re both figuring things out, and it would be great if you could be co-conspirators.

If they are more senior, they likely won’t be as receptive to feedback from someone more junior but you should still try. You might ask to be partnered with someone closer to your stage so you’re more on even playing ground.

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