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Yeh, CD. Only because he was a decent human being and I made it clear I wanted to learn, as well as work.
When I first started, I was paired with an ECD through an official mentorship program. We met for coffee a few times and she gave me a lot of great advice. Unofficially, the mid-level team on my account was always on the look out to give me pointers when they knew I was doing something for the first time. It was extremely helpful. They answered questions before I had to ask them.
Yes, but I started at a smaller agency (<60) without too many layers. I sat next to the CCO. Both him and my CD gave a fuck about their people beyond the work they did. They only wanted us to get better because that meant the work would get better at every level. I speak very subjectively but my advice is to find the places where you have a sense that you aren’t going to be another cog in the engine before you get there. I’m drunk right now though, so take this with a grain of salt and a side of “fuck this guy.”
The standard is most CDs are horrible managers and mentors. They are not trained to do the real work, mentoring and development, that is required at that level.
Kinda? I had a CD that was somewhat of a mentor but also pretty distant and we never had many one on ones. I would say at my second agency (where I’m at now, no longer a junior) is where I’ve felt far more of a mentor figure in my CD!
Your mentor should be whoever is reviewing and approving your copy; hopefully that’s an ACD or a CD with a writing background. Sometimes that’s an ACD or a CD with a design background, and in my experience, the title doesn’t make them any smarter about copywriting. If you’re in a position where you don’t have a great mentor, I would do everything to seek one out. Find a writer at your agency who you respect, and go to them for advice. I was lucky to have two kickass female writers as my ACD and CD, but sometimes that’s not the case and you have to find a Yoda wherever you can.
I made friends with the more senior creatives and would always ask for their opinions about what I was working on
I was a Community Manager who was always friends with creatives. Eventually I was being put on briefs as a creative if they thought I had the time. Then we lost my account and rather than laying me off the ECD partnered me up and made me a writer. Turns out he was about my age when he got into advertising. He and the CDs have really done right by me. Lots of one on ones outside of reviews. I think I’m lucky
I had 2 really good mentors. It was really helpful on a shor term but on the long run I think it would be better for me to learn stuff on my own.
When I started, I had a few people who I’d call mentors. One Sr CW, one CD (AD), and one ECD (CW). 99.9% of the time, 2 of the 3 would be busy, so this worked perfectly for me. Plus, having a range of expertise meant I could ask questions about anything whenever I needed .
I started in an unrelated position and I made friends with the creatives I found most approachable. One helped me with my portfolio. When I became a Jr CW, the ECD on the account took me under his wing to train me which was very nice and helpful. After he left, I got into pissing matches with the senior writers over me because they loved to shit on my ideas, mansplain why they were wrong but then basically use them as their own at reviews. It was AWEsome. So, I’d suggest finding someone not on your team. Someone with whom you’re not in direct competition. A good senior shouldn’t be threatened by you, however. If they’re good, they should know it, own it and work as a team. But, this industry is chock full of toxic people not getting the therapy they need. So...good luck?🤷🏻♀️