Really feel like I’m getting aged out (and as we know HR is not helpful). I don’t feel great about starting somewhere new. Is there a career for after 40? I mean are we all just f*d now? Life is over?

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Absolutely not! If you WANT to stay in the biz at your advanced age, you CAN! I’m pushing 58 and turning down work. Truth be told, if you’re a creative, you’re most likely looking at freelance, but that’s a good thing. No politics. Higher pay. Your time is yours. Oddly enough, imho, more stability. You have to change your mindset a bit, that’s all. Good luck!

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What do people think about mental well being and stress in the business? Most agencies have abdicated HR duty of care, to finance people.

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I’m in my 50s too and still working—freelancing but that’s what I always did. Started at Wieden, and if you have that on your resume, it’ll carry you a long way freelancing. Also if you look around and a little outside the traditional ad centers you’ll find agencies with older people on staff who are good, fast, and mature who seem to lead nice lives

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Keep pushing but get out with enough time to live your life.

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i was too young...too young...then suddenly too old. It’s fucked up.

likesmart

In 62 and still working at a big NYC agency. But I’ve been waiting to get booted out of the industry for a decade now.

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It’s like anywhere else. They just have an excellent PR team and know how to create a story that fuels a brand, including their own.

likesmart

I’ve had a 35 year run and then said enough on my terms. Don’t give up. Don’t believe the myth. Talent is talent no matter what age.

likeuplifting

I always assumed that WK would be above that sort of thing. Do you feel like people are actively shutting you out of things ?

funny

I think that was a different time when Dan and David were in charge. I think it was really about the ideas not where they came from that mattered. And, like I said, it is not every CD or department that this happens in. This is just my experience.

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If you’re at WK, you will be treated like a celebrity at smaller independent shops, probably regardless of your age. That being said, I’m 46 and while I still like some aspects of the agency game and haven’t felt totally aged out quite yet, I can totally see the writing on the wall. I will probably jump to in-house in the next year or two.

ACD2 don’t be so sure going client side is that easy. It’s ageist on that side too. Especially with more digital and social coming in-house—young inexperienced “makers” are the new it-kid talent and are valued because of that.

Better start filling your book with gif videos.

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I have never had an issue with my contributions being viewed differently because of my age but there was always a target on my back because the more senior your are ($) the more likely they will lay you off during any hiccup in revenue. Once you are out, it does get harder to get back in somewhere else. I had a MD cut candidates because they were too old and as senior management, we had to fight to keep them in consideration because we all knew that these candidates could be us sooner of later.

Client side

At WK you are in a great position to push this bias into the light both within those walls but also the larger ad community bc that place is such a beacon.

If I really was do you think I’d be saying it here? W+K is not a beacon. It is a place where a lot of great people work but things are still messed up. Trust me. I’ve seen every BS thing happen there that exists everywhere.

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likehelpfulfunny

Talking about going with my two best friends on a wine trip to California for a 40th birthday celebration. Any suggestions where to go? Where to stay? Things to do? Obviously drink wine 😉

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We must end the radicalization of our youth.

Post Photo
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Hi,

I joined EY GDS 3 months back . Now thinking about trying for Canada PR. If i get the PR, is it possible for a transfer to EY Canada?

Also anyone thinking about canada PR? I am trying to figure out about the process and if its worth it?

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SPED teachers in AZ, do you recommend working for the District or a Charter School?

Hello everyone. I interviewed at Google last month and was rejected after the 2nd interview (non-tech role). I will definitely apply again after 6-12 months but since I didn’t make it to the on-site round, how likely are the chances that Google will reach out to me again in the near future?

I will also appreciate referrals at FAANG companies (non-tech business roles). My most recent role has been of an Executive (early professional stage). Thank you :)

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Simplus 🐟 , can one apply with no CPQ experience? Do you have non CPQ projects?

Additional Posts in Over 40 in Advertising

Surprised not to see more about Eddie Murphy’s star turn/return on SNL. 58 years old, clearly showing his age, he was every bit the explosive comic talent of his youth. Urban legend: age limits.

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I don’t know how to feel. I am 52 and hired 2 creatives both at least 5 years older than me. It felt good to add depth to a young team, but on the flip side, these guys had to accept rather low wages.

likeupliftinghelpful

My current job is a dead end. No salary increase no growth. I have a phone interview with another company & aside from asking the usual questions and giving them answers, when do you ask about salary?

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Feeling my age today.
That’s all.
Thanks for listening.

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I’m 51 years old. For many reasons that would make this post too long, I’ve had a very slow profesional growth. I am finding myself more and more isolated as I see that most of my coworkers are much younger than me. I’d like to find a job environment where I could relate more to my peers. How do I look for job opportunities where I can find more people of my same age group? I don’t want to be the only old person in my creative group. Should I be looking in-house? Pharma? Any ideas are welcome.

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Ugh...after having a fairly successful (almost 20-year) career, I’m now stuck looking for a job for the 2nd time in less than a year due to budget constraints. I hope things are getting better soon.

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Here’s a disturbingly circular question:,what will 2020 look like in hindsight?

likefunny

“Look at all the white middle aged men here”
Ever felt like it’s perfectly acceptable to be ageist? Because this was said to me in our company do last week and I didn’t find it very acceptable.

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Last week to apply for CreativeComeback our free returners program. Gain new skills for a week and then work on 2 live briefs from Diageo. Pitch back and you could be placed in top tier agency.

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What’s stopping you from doing your own thing?
We all have the experiences to be consultants or small biz owners ... besides experience, what’s holding you back? What’s scary?

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Need to give the website a refresh. Anyone have a preferred site with simple templates? Is it SquareSpace or bust?

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I was just bitched out by a PM who (according to his LinkedIn profile) was a student four years ago, while the people pleaser baby ACD nodded and placated the PM. Some jobs you earn the bucks...

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I’ve been noticing resumes without a date for college graduation. But all the dates are there for jobs. So does it make sense to hide that one piece if I can do the math based on work history? 🤷‍♂️ And I’m over 40 and in this bowl. So I don’t care about age. Actually, I do. Because I prefer more experience than less.

likehelpful

Juicy Couture is now considered “vintage.” Discuss.

funnylike

Any recommendations for strong recruiters in the southeast?

likeuplifting

on a scale of 1 to 10, how pushy do you have to get to ensure projects keep moving? bonus question: and why is that number always 11 for me?

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Ready to level up at work and need to figure out what's next. I've been gifted the opportunity to have meet and greets with various senior executives. It's a chance to introduce myself and learn more about other departments. If something clicks, maybe they will open/create a role for me.

Any advice on best questions to ask?

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How did you get your start in advertising?

I’ll go first - I was originally going into film.. started shooting tv spots for regional high-end car dealers.. realized I didn’t love production I loved pitching.. been closing deals in the ad game ever since..

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Heard this from a person I was interviewing with recently and can't stop thinking about it: "And this role can be 100% remote, so you won't have to worry about moving." I've waited at least a decade to hear something so simple and yet so magical.

likeupliftinghelpful

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