Can someone please tell me why agencies haven’t figured out a way to not give weekend work to creatives? Why are we like this? I just really don’t believe it’s necessary in our industry.

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Because we put pressure on ourselves to “make it great,” and that has become shorthand for “show your CD you can have ideas that are 20 times better than what the client is asking for.”

It has become bad form to say “this tiny banner can just be crappy.” So everybody kills themselves proving they COULD do much better work. Its insane, especially when clients never (ever) buy or produce the “extra thinking.”

likesmart

Oh my god. Yes. I’ve seen this happen over and over but never realized it was literally a “thing”. We lost a project a few months ago to another of the client’s agencies because that agency gave them exactly what they asked for and we went way above and beyond. I think we would have presented differently if we knew we were in competition, but still.

like

Practice typing this in a text edit doc until you feel ready to put it in an actual email:

"Hey guys - sorry but I have some personal stuff this weekend and won't be available."

If you get fired because of this, consider it a blessing in disguise. But I can all but guarantee you that after a few rounds of "but we really need you" and "we're a team" and "can you just work Sunday" and "but we told the client" you'll end up getting a "okay see you monday".

Establish your boundaries and stick to them. Make it someone else's problem.

likehelpfulfunny

This is good advice. I’ve quickly realized that everyone is quick to complain and blame others for being overworked but few are willing to put their foot down. Nothing is going to change unless you set your own boundaries. I’ve been trying to be strict with not responding to emails after 6 or on weekends. If something comes up I’ll ask for solutions that don’t involve weekend work. The more I’ve voiced this concern with my teams the more we all have worked together to manage boundaries. No one likes working insane hours.

likehelpful
Recent IconRecent

Because it’s more profitable to understaff and force your workers to work overtime. It’s built into the business model.

like

It is known

like

Because profiteering capitalists run agencies and don’t give a ffffuuuuuucccckkkk about us.

There are so many dumb things that agencies do. It’s hard to keep track anymore.

Imagine what would happen if we...unionized.....🤔

like

What’s the bowl??

I agree. Like weekend work is literally built in as part of the schedule on projects. Why.

like

This. Weekends should just be off limits. Think of it like scheduling something on Rotaday. You can’t, because Rotaday doesn’t exist. Same needs to be true for Saturdays and Sundays when building out work schedules.

like

Because agencies keep hiring Account people just because they have big brands on their resume. So they’re great shmoozers but don’t know how to manage projects, clients and teams.

like

@AD nailed it. I ALWAYS try to push back on my clients to avoid nights and weekends and usually am told from above I need to make it work for the client, then have the hard conversations with PM and creative.

like

Read 'Madison Avenue Manslaughter' by Michael Farmer. It lays out the reasons why very plainly. It also makes you see the absolute bs & chaos in how ad agencies are run.

likesmart

I’m a VP, and I won’t let people on my teams with lower titles work on the weekends. I get paid more so I think I should be the one to do it first.

like

My boss is this way, as well, and I appreciate it so much!

like

Because people will do it.

likesmart

If you say no and stick up for yourself, you won’t exactly be getting raises and opportunities. So it really has to be an ethical standard starting at the top. Why do we all care about doing good (Cannes) until it comes to money? It’s actually a gross industry in that way.

likesmart

Because agencies are service-based companies. Less service, fewer clients, less money.

likehelpful

Better ingredients, better pizza, Papa John’s.

likefunnyhelpful

I would say because it became a business instead of a craft.

Once upon a time, creatives ran their shops and understood- and sold- the value of creativity. As people realized that this was a viable business model, corporations got involved. They maximized profits and expanded. At the same time, media models shifted. And it all became about selling strategic approaches because we stopped selling the magical, hard to quantify part. So the people who don’t really undertake or value the perfect, clever execution started making decisions. And that means assuaging clients became more important that giving them what they needed. So shorter timelines, lower budgets, etc.

like

Because holding companies.

like

Here’s a perspective I feel missing from this thread. I worked ‘in-house creative’ for one of the biggest and a situation arose where on Friday afternoon the VP and I were discussing the agency deliverables and they insisted I call, and I quote; “...put your foot on their throat...” and have new work/revisions done for Monday ASAP. I refused (pushing back upwards like that is fatal to one’s career btw) feeling that it was more a ‘have my grapes peeled’ moment versus a thought-through internalizing of the work BEFORE responding with constructive feedback to actually get us to a better place with the work. All I had to do was lift the phone and a flurry of people would have had to work that w/end and I guarantee that the agency account person wouldn’t dare push back on a 1mil. a/c client.

The 2 key realities that pressure agencies, and thereby waterfall onto the teams:
1/ Client initiated (“MY boss wants to see it now, so move mountains as this is a hierarchical org. and if you want to get ahead...”
2/ HoldCo initiated. Constant pressure for revenue (imagine before every 90 day cycle ends, getting the call “Are you hitting your numbers??!” “We’re going to miss; The Street will crucify us!! YOU need to find 400k!)

And there you have it, so tell everybody I’ll see them early tomorrow+Sun, and let’s send out for sushi tonight — will you send the menu around, OK? Great!

A solution: quit, start/work for a small, values led independent agency, and yes it’s a slog, and you will earn a lot less money, but maybe you’ll see your kids for a bedtime story.

like

I had a boss one time years ago who always worked as late as I did, and would be there on weekends too. One time work was so crazy he came over to my cube almost in tears saying how sorry he was for how busy we were. It was stressful work, but it did feel better knowing my boss was working just as hard as I was. Sometimes a clients demands are just way under scoped and you have to learn from it, and get through it. As long as you don’t feel you’re the only one getting dumped on, it makes a big difference.

like

Because it's free work?

like

Because clients. Also in some cases poor project management, crunched production timelines, low budgets, over promising things by Accounts or not managing clients expectations.

like

i worked at KBP and the CDs would tell the creatives to do 20 minutes on this or that...and would present it. I loved Quick fresh ideas that weren’t belabored. Sold as many campaigns.

like

The last place I freelanced at actually tried pretty hard to not work weekends. We would have pencils down Friday’s around 10 for everyone to look at the work and make comments and let us make our updates before the end of the day. Most weeks it really worked. Maybe two or three weekends got kind of nuts and they were super apologetic, but as freelance I was happy to work it since I get paid for those days. There were staff teams working too so it wasn’t just about trying to avoid paying us.

like

We really try not to. Not going to say it never happens, but it’s not frequent. I’m often getting caught up on weekends but aside from the occasional quick question for a CD, I try to leave the teams alone. I want my weekend too.

Related Posts

For current GSAPers - was the maximum amount allowed with Federal loans enough to see you through your MBA? The living expenses estimate looks sorta low to me

like

Hi fishes, please like for Dms.

likesmart

DBS Bank vs Bank of America (BA Continuum India Pvt. Ltd.) Agile Business Analyst role,

Which one to join? Culture, Learning and Growth(Knowledge +Financial) wise?

Offered CTC is approximately the same

Thinking I could smash it in a sales gig after selling thousands of copies of my own books. I also have a large global audience. I’m looking to make a lot of money in a short period of time. I am hungry. I am a go getter. I have done everything. Who is ready to put me to work remotely or in Denver? Let’s talk!

like

I went golfing at 4pm yesterday because my boss’s IM had been yellow all day. Found out this morning it was yellow because my boss was golfing all day.

likefunny

Anyone at UHG? Someone within HR? Need to pick a brain on a few things..levels, merits, etc

like

Week 6 and my breast hurt so bad, it feels like a stabbing knife. Is this normal? Remedies?

How much would a technical solution specialist- google cloud - in big data analytics at GOOGLE Canada make ?
Someone with 5 years of experience in big data analysis.

like

When can we expect results of Uber online assessment and what are the next interview steps

like

How do you all prepare for excel/financial modeling tests? Every firm is different, so I imagine there are multiple effective ways to get ready.

likehelpful

What is the salary range for a PM/ Senior PM in Digital Marketing (general & pharma) based out of Canada?

like

I may be a giant asshole for this, but I sometimes don’t have the patience to deal with my SO’s mom..simply because she has the risk tolerance of a groundhog…she is scared of absolutely everything, and sometimes judges me for my opinions on things..not outwardly but like..subtly..and I’m not by any means someone that adventurous…it really doesn’t have any impact on our lives because we can just turn around and do what we want anyways but like..ughhh

like

Celebrating my 35th at Vancouver with SO. Looking for a recos for a nice dinner with wine and a good lounge/club to end the night.

like

Hi fishes,

Is there a deadline for accepting the offer letter in Cognizant once the acceptance portal mail has been sent?

Also if I accept and then decline later before joining, what will be the consequences? It says in the acceptance portal that the offer letter is legally binding.

like

Happy Sunday, watch lovers.

Post Photo
like

I feel like I am paying way too much in income taxes. I live in high state tax state so it adds up. What are some creative ideas to minimize my tax liabilities? MD here, so salaried employee.

I’m going in to my second year teaching and I’m seriously so stressed and nervous about it. (Going from gen ed 5th to sped 1st). I can’t sleep because my mind just runs all night. Any advice?

like

Is there anyone with 5-6 yoe in totally different tech who is able to land job in sde profile by taking scaler academy course. Is this course worth for 2.5 lacs being from totally different technology like sap abap.

like

I became a mom and four months down, head of new business (guy) in my company and the HR (lady) interviewed me for an exec leadership role. Obviously I was excited for the interview but…. the interview went well with the guy and I felt the role was made for me. However, the lady kept bringing back the topic that ‘I am a mom and need to focus on my family’ again and again and again. Honestly it was unnerving. The feedback I received from HR (lady) was we felt you won’t be able <cont. in comments>

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

What is generally the highest paid discipline (strategy, programmatic, content, seo etc.) across agencies? And what discipline do you think will have high demand/ see the largest growth in the future?

like

Probably should’ve had someone check the spelling on this....

Post Photo
likefunnyhelpful

What do you do when you don’t trust your boss? They have been seen lurking around corners when our team is talking with each other. When he/she got in trouble for over working the team, cont’d...

like

Does anyone have any info on Cossette Montreal?

like

My cousin is looking for an internship in the GA area. UGA senior. He'd be an account person. Let me know if anything is available 🙏🏼

like

know cool places to do wood work, cooking, pottery class in Chicago? need a new hobby

like

Ever noticed how a lot of clients have this gene that makes them a little twisted socially and facially? Like if this were MIB, they'd all be up on that big screen of aliens hiding among us.

like

The words insights and storytelling are destroying my will to live

like

Industry-wide layoffs tomorrow or nah?

like

Top 5/Bottom 5 creative agencies in the US?

like

Any tips on how to get along with a coworker?

like

Does any one here work in publishing but on the marketing side? Either for a book publishing company or even magazine publishing? Really interested with how that works and if it’s an area I would be interested in exploring for job opportunities.

like

Interesting discussion with agency CFO recently. Client-agency contracts are becoming performance based, less execution. Looks like if your spot won't bring in 💰💰 for the client, it's dead on pitch.

like

Thoughts on what's going to happen next with the Cheeto now with the new DJT Jr. Emails?

like

Anomaly, are you trippling in size?

likefunny

Is it just me, or is Havas the douchebag of ad agencies?

like

How involved are PMs at your agency? What are their responsibilities on different types of projects? Ours seem to be resource managers and time trackers only. Feels redundant.

like

Creative Director or Product Design Director. Which one would you pick for the next 10 years?

like

No emojis in emails, please.

likefunny

Got laid off. Got a new offer two weeks later. It’s not remotely what I see myself doing for long. but the team leader is great. I’m in early stages with my dream companies. Not sure what to do.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal