Legit question. How many people end up poor and old working on advertising? I mean what happens to the over 50s not on the C suite

likesmart
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

People who are over 50 today? Probably not that many. They had a job paying enough to buy property in London in their late 20s, so they managed to catch that wave of wealth building. Barring some huge financial missteps or bad luck, even fairly lowly agency employees are likely millionaires in terms of net worth.

However, for people who are around 30 now and will be 50 in roughly 20 years? Many of them will be in in deep trouble. The cost of living in London has grown massively, and salaries haven't really moved much. Many, if not most, agency employees can't afford to purchase a home. Even if they do, the era of rapid growth in the property market is over. I know some seriously good and talented people who are living in flatshares with less than ten grand saved. Despite being brilliant and working like dogs, they're fucked.

likehelpful

😭

like

I think about this a lot. But I have a good rationale.

It’s best to go into this business with your eyes wide open and the best thing to do is to view your advertising career as the first act in a two act career.

Advertising is a remarkable melting pot of talent and a university of incredibly useful skills that you need to succeed in life and business. There is so much you can do elsewhere with what you’ve acquired while working in ad land.

To have a 30 year career in advertising you need to be pretty special. You also need to be very flexible, useful, have MASSIVE stamina and some luck. This isn’t banking, the further you climb, the more work you do. You’ll probably need to work in multiple countries and if you don’t make ECD, the few ways you can stay as a CD for 15-20 years is to be the creative lead on the unsexy accounts at a big agency. Like o2 at VCCP for instance. Agencies lose clients all the time and getting rid of the CD on £125k-£150k is just too easy when you’re the cost of 5-6 juniors.

Advertising pays enough in your 30s for you to save for a career pivot (if required) in your 40s. This is also not a phenomenon unique to advertising. I know estate agents who were previously brokers made redundant in their 40s and couldn’t get back in.

If you really love this business, then invest and save your income, live within your means, keep your skills relevant - If you’re just doing TV, print & radio, then you will need to upskill to more specialist and niche digital specialisms such as customer experience (CX). Otherwise view it as a first act in a two act career.

It’s still incredible to me that you can live a good life earning money from creativity, advertising is one of the few ways you can do that. You have go starve a lot in other creative industries - film, TV etc

likehelpful

Related Posts

Starting to research areas I want to be in and I am wondering if anyone has insight into the culture of different markets: NYC, DC, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Philly. Barred in NY, NJ & PA, family in NC.

like

Had a talk with the partners Thursday, they said I’m not producing enough work at the end of each day. First year associate, new area of law, wfh so they are more “what are you doing every second”. They want me to start turning in a daily log (we are plaintiffs attorneys so no billing normally) any advice? While I appreciate their honesty, I feel like they consider me severely indebted to them that they hired me mid pandemic and “allow” me to work from home.

like

Any vaccancy for MM consultant on the basis of 1 year

like

Anyone from London here? Trying to find M salaries in risk/fincrime for Big 4 or similar

like

What has your marketing goal been for this month? How far along are you to meeting your goal?

like

Hi All had a quick question, when you move out of India, do you convert all your existing savings accounts to NRO accounts? Taxation is quite high in that case, so just wondering. Thanks!

like

My son 529 grows so slow... Any suggestions ? Which bank or state do you all use? Should I just invest for him in a roth at work ?

like

What's the norm of calling your Managers/Counselors in EY GDS? I'm used to calling everyone by their first name in my previous organization, but here I'm seeing people calling managers and seniors managers "Sir".

The thing is I have just joined and pinged my counselor for certain queries, and used his first name and he never responds although he sees my message. 🤔

like

I lost a really close friend because I didn’t feel the same way he did. He never told me he liked me but now refuses to speak to me because I started dating someone. I friendzoned him apparently

like
like

When should a teammate go to management or HR about their partner not collaborating or contributing?

Weird question, I know, but I’ve been paired with someone who doesn’t collaborate, show initiative, communicate, know how to be a teammate, or honestly.. try at all.

We’re both new (since fall), so i had to uncomfortably call them out. I’m hoping things improve but I’m not holding my breath. I’m sure our coworkers recognize my effort, but I’m not letting this person drag me down. Please advise.

like

At what point to you get tired of micro aggressive behaviour and start calling people out on it? I’m a black female in the UK and it’s exhausting!!!

like

Hello Fishes,

I am looking for opportunity.could you please let us know if there are any openings in informatica skill.

Exp - 3yoe
Np - 15days.

Thanks in advance.

like

Whats a reasonable amount of time to put towards studying for series 63? I passed my 7 two years ago and am now just getting around to it

like

For anyone working in the "CEO's office" doing strategy type work - how intense is it? What are your hours like?

Seems like interesting work with super high visibility, but I'm afraid it'll be bad hours (i.e., 50+ hours per week)

like

Where do you get most of your golf gear?

like

If you want to save please do start from April, if you start thinking about these from march nothing will goona happen

Can reduce your tax upto 50%
Feel free to reach out to me😊

helpful

Any idea why mindtree is delaying the response after the HR discussion? In my previous jobs I used to get response much earlier, used to receive offer letters in 1 or 2 days. Even they didn't negotiate with me if thats possible to offer the salary or not! Is it worth waiting or shall I move on for other interviews?

like

Quick and dirty choc soufflé - creme anglaise not pictured

Post Photo
like

Additional Posts in Londoners in Advertising

To those of you who don’t want to live in London forever, I’m really interested to know what your career plans are - even if it involves moving industry.

I personally can’t see myself living in London for the next ten years, and it’s making me feel like all of this is for nothing.

like

👇👇👇 Discuss. 👀

Post Photo
like

Thoughts on Fundamental Media?

our xmas party was lame. someone wants to smuggle me into theirs?

like

Double fault from W+K London.

Post Photo
like

Better pay rises being offered in Public sector?

like

Does anyone have any renting advice? Just found out my flat is being sold lol. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated !

like

The average pay for an NHS nurse is £35k. It is a well known fact that this wage is difficult to live on. Whereas London agencies pay experienced staff in and around this wage. Wages haven’t really increased in the last 20 years. Why is our industry so underpaid?

like

What’s the & partnership like these days?

like

Who are the best teams in town? Whose book should I know?

like

Any London recruiter recommendations who also search for US applicants?

like

How’re you guys getting on with all your Different-Shaped Ideas?

funnylike

Job Offers for Art Directors;
- MW AD - award-winning Advertising Agency - £35K-£40K
- Senior Art Director - Internal Creative Agency - £65K
Both working on global campaigns. DM if interested.

like

Considering moving to London to freelance until I find fulltime, how’s freelance currently looking?

like

Thoughts on Anomaly London?

like

Hi all, I’m looking for a digital/ media planner to join my team on the client side. We’re just starting our 1st party data activation journey so would love someone to join that has a bit of experience in that space. Would have to be in the office 2-3 days which is based in Waltham, but otherwise flexible. If you know anyone looking and would be open to chat. Please shout!

like

Thinking of moving from media agency to holding group level, been in this group just over 2 years. Thoughts?

like

Salary for Sr. producer agency-side? Thank you!!

like

I know it varies based on awards and client history etc but what’s the average salary of a mid creative with 3-4 years experience? (assuming a pretty good portfolio of work) I’m new to London and just don’t want to end up underselling myself 😬

like

Best agency in town?

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