Met an economist today who said the US economy is the best it's been in 50 years. Well then why are there so many layoffs at agencies? And so few freelance gigs to go around?

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There is no actual single "economy strong" metric. You can single out GDP, stock market performance, unemployment, etc. but still not get the full picture. Consider that real wage is practically flat relative to all other "economic growth" and that after inflation a vast majority of Americans have effectively less, not more, DPI year-over-year despite an otherwise record setting economy. If a "roaring economy" only pads the pockets of the elite, is it really synonomous for national prosperity? (This doesn't answer your specific question, but it felt worth voicing.)

likeuplifting

In- house. Media fragmentation. Social media. Clients changing shops faster.

likehelpful

Also, a lot of spending in recent years was going to digital and when P&G froze its digital spending during the google/YouTube ad placement fiasco, the learnings were that it didn’t impact their sales and actually had a better quarterly report- so there’s also that.

likehelpful

That economist is an idiot. The goddamned bond yield curve is about to invert

likesmarthelpfulfunny

Another person confusing “the economy” with “the stock market.”

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Because the companies that are boasting about amazing profits are able to do so by trimming costs. Advertising being one of them.

likeupliftinghelpful

There's a really good article summarizing this trend that I can't seem to find. I think it's from The Atlantic, so hopefully someone else will link it.

In short, all of the above plus tech is rapidly making a lot of agency work irrelevant.

likehelpful

@CD2 and I ready for the fall.

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Save all the money you can now. Invest when the "best economy in 50 years" crashes 😉

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Shocked more people not looking at that inversion coming and stuff 💵 in their 🛏

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No urgent need to sell when you’re doing well. The best advertising usually happens during a crisis.

likehelpful

Corporations are streamlining (reducing staff), automating and hoarding cash/profits rather than reinvesting in the business (hiring)

likeuplifting

Just like a few years ago when agencies had to go digital now they have to be consultants. Less creatives needed.

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☝️ @CW2

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@WK1 - We all we got baby!

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What W&K said...it’s in my mattress...and in gold...crash a comin'

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A solid economy has nothing to do with how people consume content and companies realizing they have options to get their branding out beyond the big agency formula. Brands are simply adapting to a new way of doing business

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@M+P1 Thank you!

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Hi Fishes,

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#MAIPSummit2020:
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likefunnyhelpful

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