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Unpopular opinion, but something I wish people had told me earlier: take the money.
Why?
1/ It forces you to “lock in” the level of income you’ve just reached, so your mindset shifts to focusing on not going backward.
2/ The money you make now saves you so much time compared to another, lower offer. For example, it would take 4 more months to earn that amount in another job.
3/ No one offers you more money than you deserve. You earned it. Enjoy it.
4/ You’re responsible for your work. Do the best job you can. The rest will follow. But doing your best while earning as much as possible? That’s a great start for the future.
Hey as CD at 2 agncies Leo and McCann l will tell you…you will produce better work at the smaller agencies and be happier in the long run.
Avoid FCB / any IPG agencies right now. You would most likely end up laid off when they merge this year.
Yes FCB alum here. I’d avoid especially with the merger. Definitely take the money, better choice imo is to do work that you enjoy and make an impact at a smaller agency than end up a tiny cog in a huge unrelenting corporate machine!
Go to the indie. FCB likely isn’t safe due to mergers and acquisitions
Rising Star
B
Always choose the role based on the ECD and the work they are making right now. THEN choose the money.
If it was close it might be different... But double!?? Gotta take that
I'd move to my shed for double
avoid FCB, not good for juniors
The answer is ”it depends.”
I’ve worked at Omnicom, IPG Health, Publicis and small indie world. each and every time it came down the the team/brand/client.
That being said, things to consider about going indie:
1) often their income is weighted heavily to one or two clients. Even if you are a rockstar, if that client leaves, there is zero chance you will keep you job. On the other end of that, large agency networks can often re-assign you.
2) indie shops talk a lot about “family” and “team” - be sure you align with the parents (eg, the leadership) on vision and goals - many indie shop owners are happy to coast - others are incredible hunger for new business or innovation.
3) some indies have excellent award winning AOR work. Others do projects/chop shop work. Be sure you’re happy with the way they operate and do business. A project based role where execution and budget are the most important factors will make it very hard to get back to large AOR work where strategy and concepting are key,
At the end of the day, indie shops can be awesome. but they do have drawbacks. do your research.
If you can, find people on LinkedIn who PREVIOUSLY worked for the company and get their take, too - not just the ones you are interviewing with.
Good luck! And congrats on having two offers! That’s amazing!
Thank you! This was helpful, and good tip on talking to ex employees!
Your Direct Report is the most important thing. Do you like you’ll work for? Their work, their demeanor, how they treat you. That’s the choice regardless of money.
Pro
Do you respect the person you will be working for?
Do you have an outside chance of making good work?
If yes, then go for it.
Network agencies are in retreat. Your book, your boss and your income are better indicators of future success.
Option B
Indie. Not a good time to join IPGH.
💰💰💰
Avoic FCB. It’s under IPG and who knows what will happen after the merger
After 2 decades in the industry, a decade at Havas, if you're relatively junior, take the money. Get the dollars up, build your skills and find your way back to big... unless you're happy! Advertising is a bear, and you can always come back if you leave well.
Take B. Your work is your legacy, not the company you worked for.
I can't believe this is even a question. B of course.
Go to the indie. More consolidation of holding companies will mean layoffs, and midsized clients ($40-50 million spenders!) will be ignored and look for better service from an independent.
Go for the money, especially in this f-d-up state of everything right now. Most peeps I know at a big shop are unhappy and are just holding on to what they have going on until they can find something better. Most, if not all, of the big shops are a sh@t show. FCB/IPG for sure. Small shops have less BS, layers, and politics. A smaller shop allows for you to get involved with more opportunities.
Avoid holding companies rn
I took an offer at a better agency for less pay and I don’t regret it for a second. The work is more rewarding, and when or if I decide to leave I’ll have a stronger book.
Another note to add about larger companies vs smaller—there was a time in my career the larger agencies seemed more stable, offered better benefits, seemed safer if there was a bully manager where HR would help keep people in line for the sake of a well functioning company that cared about their reputation.
All BS. There are good small and good large companies. Bad ones in both too. It’s a crap shoot and pay isn’t everything especially if opportunities are limited and the people you work with are toxic (toxicity is often created by how leadership runs the company and what people they choose to reward).
You’re young, go where you can learn and know that no place is long term, so you can get the pay bumps you deserve along the way. People who stay too long any one place get taken advantage of.