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Ten years ago i would say yes.
Are you looking for advancement? I can’t tell from the question. To me, director level avoids a target on your back which is great right now.
Every IPG agency is in for a bloodbath in Q4 after this last earnings call. VP level will likely get hit hard. You might be “behind” but in this climate you’re more valuable than your immediate boss.
I think I enjoy doing the actual work more than managing so for now it feels right but I also don’t want to become too much of a laggard.
Everyone’s journey is different, I think crucially it’s less about your career level but more about your client impact and ability to drive real value. I’ve seen plenty of SDs, GSDs, and frankly CSOs who were promoted before they were ready (and by that I mean able to deliver transformative value to their clients at the level expected of them.) and they devalued the title, and then the practice of strategy, and then the value of the agency overall. (This seems dramatic but it isn’t)
10-15 years experience for an SD is what it’s supposed to be. If you feel valued and are driving value then you are winning and I’d hire you in a heartbeat.
Are you me?
Yes… but it’s also a safe place to be that still pays decently.
[checks notes]
I have a good story for you.
Reached 15 YOE this year. Left a middle-management position at a big shop (global network, global brands) on year 4-5 to work abroad. I was feeling too protected working with friends and mentors, wanted to do things on my own and carve out my place in the world. People thought I was crazy.
Moved abroad, earned a Masters, PhD, top international schools only. Ended up working in multiple countries, markets (AMER, EMEA, APAC), still almost exclusively with global brands (T1, various sectors - leaning FMCG).
The reasoning behind it was that by collecting a vast amount of international experience - developing a fine understanding the geopolitics of advertising and an unusually high cultural awareness - I would qualify for a top-level international leadership position by year 10.
But the reality is that I only reached an organizational level equivalent to year 5 by year... 15, albeit still at a smaller shop, and definitely not with the same purchasing power for salary.
I underestimated three things:
- Career buildup: Ambition was so high I overlooked the short term steps and creating the microconditions for the end goal
- Corporate dynamics: Office politics are more important than competence - I knew that early on but refused to believe it
- Global hierarchy: Depending on where you come from, and where you are now, you'll have a hard time getting your past experience recognized
Also, the economy. But this was more difficult to avoid.
If I had stayed at my initial position, I would have certainly moved up faster (as did my colleagues and direct reports from then) and eventually developed an international career but at a later stage.
Not even strategists are immune to a strategy gone wrong. Or, as they say: the shoemaker's children go barefoot.
Well to have so much time to delve into topics, handle complex ideas and kind of strengthen your intellect is pretty rad in my book...but it pays pennies.
Are you happy, enjoy what you do, and make enough money to live your life? If so, being a director is where you should be: The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Managing a large team is hard and not all agencies are cut from the same cloth.
Yes I’d rather focus on the work, round out other areas of my life, or try client side than be a GSD manager.
Bowl Leader
I think it depends on the agency and the structure of your team’s career progression/titles. At my agency, if you progress beyond strategy director, your next step is basically becoming the agency’s CSO.
GSDs here have either spent 4-6 years as director here and are around my age, or they’re late 30s or older and spent earlier years in a different field. Other directors are either around my age or a few years younger. So perhaps I’m not behind at this specific agency after all.
Focus on your journey. I stepped away from advertising for a number to care for my parent and I’m behind in titles compared to my friends. Your journey is yours.
I’m 10 years in and stuck at copywriter because I thought if I showed diligence and loyalty by staying at the same shop for a decade that it would mean something. Now I can barely get an interview. Count your blessings.
Yes
10-12 years
I’m at 10 years of experience but a a year was in search and a year was in a media vendor.
Feel like director pay is no longer enough money.
At $150k
SD is the best job in the industry imo