How does one break into a big agency from a small one? I am confident I can hang creatively at a big shop, but I have a CD title with no direct reports. This always comes up in interviews and I think it’s killing my chances. I lead projects, but I don’t lead a consistent “team” of writers because we don’t have one (I’m a copy-focused CD). I almost wish I could go back to being an ACD and grow in a bigger agency from there. I feel stuck.

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You can apply to be an ACD at a big shop.

CDs and ACDs are different levels at different shops in different markets.

Maybe you are an ACD at a big shop with room to grow. 👍🏼

You’re not stuck.

likesmarthelpful

This is the way.

If the pay is equal or more, there’s no reason you can’t be an ACD at a bigger shop and build your book and team building/leading from there. It’s a tough situation. Good luck!

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Being a CD is about having experience in leadership. You need to get that experience so taking an ACD gig at a larger agency and getting that would be my advice.

likesmart

It is a catch 22. Direct reports start at Art Director level, typically, if not sooner.

If you do not have a design team think of all the hands you interact with to get the job to the finish line: account, developers, vendors, clients, etc. Lean into the story they are looking for as best you can to show that you can manage a team and deliver.

This is what it takes to jump from a small market to a large market at a higher level. That and maybe taking a title cut.

I did this as an AD in a smaller market. Took a Senior Designer position at a larger agency. I was quick to jump onto responsive design which was experience they were looking for at the time.

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I do. Depending on the shop and the project I have overseen the work of designers and interns as a Senior Designer.

You can just apply to ACD roles at bigger agencies if you feel as much. It varies a lot. Sometimes places want to cheap out and hire a CD who's actually an ACD ready for that leap. Some places CDs still operate as creatives with no reports, there's no consistency.

Why not apply to both roles and get a sense check at the interviews? It'll help you figure things out too.

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Can you just say your title is ACD?

I only mean that in the sense that I wouldn’t lie on my resume and pretend I was never promoted. I’m not so tied to the title I wouldn’t take a good ACD job somewhere.

Do you have any management experience you can highlight? Did you mentor interns or review work in different situations? I don’t think you need a team under you so much as you need to assuage their concerns that you don’t know how to manage people once given the opportunity.

Yeah, I review the design work on the projects I lead, but I end up writing the copy. I also managed a bunch of interns this summer. I just don’t have direct reports and I don’t lead any writers. This is good advice though, thank you.

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