I'm tired of anyone I go to for any guidance or mentorship telling me I should aim to work at BBDO or DDB Chicago. Are there really no other agencies to aspire to work for in Chicago? Or is it true that these are Chicago's big powerhouse creative shops with deep roots leaving every other place unmatched?

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Eh i haven't really heard that advice and I'd take it with a grain of salt. I don't think that the big house agencies are all that powerful/influential anymore because I think most people are looking for better WLB. I wouldn't put too much stock into that advice if i were you

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Both aren’t what they used to be because Omnicom has killed them slowly

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Absolutely correct

went to UIUC for advertising and they push so many more agencies than just those 2, not sure if ur from illinois/chicago or not but imo from the school the mains are Leo, Ogilvy, DDB, BBDO, Highdive, FCB, TMA, TMS, SCC, Havas, Cramer-Krasselt, Aisle Rocket, Mars, etc etc etc. Those first 5 are the ones with the most clout tho, which will in theory make job #2 that much easier to procure but the rest of these have notable clients, at least one!

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Jr Ad 1 - Highdive is currently making better work than DDB and BBDO

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OKRP is good

funny

I think they got by BORK now, lol

likefunny

Be mindful of who you are taking the advice from too. I had a lot of older voices when I started out and while they offered an immense amount of valuable advice, some of their views were outdated and didn’t exactly apply to the here and now that the rest of us live in.

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There are other agencies. You got a book?

True

Definitely not the only options.
As someone who has interviewed for the same role at DDB 3 times now (they don’t tell me beforehand what client it is), they’re clearly struggling with retaining people.

BBDO is a mess rn too, especially in the creative department. People are leaving pretty quickly, and the AM/Strat department won’t be far behind. It’s getting really hard for resourcing and everyone is stretched thin.

I’d look at Leo, Ogilvy, FCB, Mars and Cramer-Krasselt for large agencies. You could also look into the Kitchen for an in-house agency and a whole host of independent shops (highdive rarely posts openings so connections are key there).

The Kitchen is just in-house social as a heads up

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