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I do wonder what the attraction is today. My reference point harks back to a time the big agencies were almost household names, the work was on a massive canvas that demanded cultural relevance, and salaries were on the same scale or better than the big accounting or law firms.
All of this is gone, and seems even the remaining shreds are disappearing fast. I’m not really sure what the appeal is today, or how much longer advertising will be a credible career choice. All I know is that the things that attracted me a few hundred years ago have vanished to the point it wouldn’t be my choice were I entering today.
Oh you sweet summer child…. I started in this industry around the year 2000. You think you’ve seen change? When I started college, the internet didn’t even exist, but in my first job, we already had to build websites with Dreamweaver and Flash.
Pretty much everything I do right now is integrated campaigns, social and broadcast— as a writer. Never mind that I actually came up as an art director (and a damn good one).
I’m 52 years old. My point here is, that in this industry just like in life and evolution— you either adapt, or die. And it never stops. You’re never supposed to get to a point when you “already know everything”. The moment you think you can‘t learn anymore, is the moment you die.
Maybe because it’s one of the only creative career paths that pays anything. Just a wild guess
True. But I think the point the OP was making is that it’s less creative and pays less with each passing year.
Graduated from SCAD. I started there thinking I wanted to do graphic design. I grew up artistic and messed around with the Adobe Suite in high school and realized I was good at it. Although still an art school, going into an “applied art” made it more palatable for my parents.
Then I toured an ad agency and spoke to Ad professors and it seemed like Advertising / Art Direction was more glamorous. It was hands on & collaborative, the people are cool. And I really enjoyed the strategy and psychology element.
Although a volatile industry I still really enjoy it & am happy with my choice!
I’m happy to hear this.
Pro
I thought you could have a career doing this and could still make TV commercials. I always thought it was a fun job that gave you opportunities you would be hard pressed to get elsewhere. I still get excited to work on new stuff and make work.
It’s just really hard to find consistent work and opportunities. I didn’t think it would be easy, but I had no idea it would be this hard. I’ve realized I’m good enough to do the job at least, and this is what I spent a lot of money getting my degree in. I don’t just want to give up.
I still see the value big brand building work can bring, and have hopes that creativity and the advertising business comes back around. But I’m not sure how many others share that hope.
Why do people become fungus researchers or sign painters or core samplers or flight attendants or butt doctors or anything else?
Sign painter is art director / designer in 2026
If they had any sense they wouldn’t
Most negative sour people ever on this app I swear 😂
Annual agency survey from the IPA in the UK says that the number of under 25s working in creative agencies has fallen 19% in the past year. Only 40% of UK agencies are even hiring people at trainee or apprentice level. The issue isn't young people turning away from agencies, it's agencies turning away from young people.
They weren’t in advertising when you were younger.
When I broke in, there was something magical about seeing your first print ad in the NY Times, or your first TV spot, on TV, actually on a TV, (not an iphone). To me, those days are over. And you can see it in the lack of quality in the work. Great print today is a non entity, Radio is a lost art. And TV for the most part has become overbusy crap.
I wish. This was my dream
lots of people get BFAs but still want a living wage 🙋
Younger folk are getting into it still, but are more dialed into where it’s going, and traditional ad agencies are not that. They are out there working for brands and tik tok, creating content, being entrepreneurial about it. They don’t watch ads, and hate to be “advertised” to. They are doing it, but in a whole new way. The way of the future.
I agree, the advertising career path is leaving the agency. I think the agencies have over consolidated and lost any sense of identity or heritage. Young people should find brand side internal agency opportunities and get paid much better and have greater stability, or live the fractional life, I believe we're all going to be living eventually. Smaller agencies could also be a solid path. The majors are too big and seem lost.
Young person here. Looking to get out of the advertising industry though lol.
I’m curious as to why younger people enter the business as well. Most of them don’t see commercials so there’s no reason for them to aspire to do something as good as whatever spot. Like others on this thread, I remember when certain commercials reference points for everyone vs now when only a few people have seen them. Maybe movies/tv shows have made it look like a cool place to work. 🤷🏽♀️
All I wanted to do was make commercials and still haven’t gotten to 🥺🥺
Not many careers let you be creative, shoot videos, and even have some fun sometimes. I still get exciting projects. Sure it’s way different and people are getting laid off left and right but I still see the appeal and opportunity relative to most jobs.
Yeah, agencies have content creator positions and are always looking to cheap out
If I had kids and they were debating mechanical engineering vs advertising I know what I'd push them towards.
But for a lot of people with liberal arts degrees, this is still one of the best fields you can get into.
maybe you just feel that way because you’ve been in the industry a while. Give the kids time, they’ll be jaded later too. one big jaded family!
Young people run dentsu right now
Recruiting the next gen into the business is a challenge and one that we need to start working on now
Advertising still exists, but ad agencies are seriously diminished in stature. They no longer dominate the way they once did. Many functions are now in-house, mostly poorly done. If you go in-house, you will likely spend your time educating people instead of practicing your craft.