When older creatives are let go, how much of it is simply because they cost more than juniors, and how much is it that they’re honestly perceived to not have a certain skill or insight they need now?

It’s ALWAYS money.

Money is the reason, “out of touch” is the excuse.

The truth is option 3: ageism. I don’t need to make a shit-ton of money. Just pay me whatever you’re giving the 35-year-old, and stop pre-assuming I want a lot more just because I’m a little older. That assumption based purely on looking at my age is called ageism.

No, it isn’t. It’s also the lack of enthusiasm the place has for them. It’s the overall vibe, as well. But yeah, mostly money.

Not true it’s always money. If you’ve refused to evolve your skills (read: “digital is below the line”) or are precious about what ads are (read: “WTF is Tic Toc?”), you are a low value player with a high ticket price tag. But if you have evolved your skills, you are both experienced and current, and thus worth your dollars and then some. It’s up to you how you want your end to go down. I chose the latter and am rocking deep into my 50s still highly relevant and comped.

It’s that you’ve cut your teeth and mapped out the way things SHOULD be done and created the road map, it’s easy to have a young, cheaper version just follow the steps you’ve spent years carving in place.

It certainly starts with money. The economics of our business and the change in the value that many (not all, but many) clients place on certain talent (they may love them, but they are not “attached” the way they were 25 years ago) have had a huge impact on the long term “career” viability for people in almost every discipline. Sad but true. Even on the client side, there are not many in major corporate marketing gigs much over 45-50. You either make the jump to general management, or you move on to something else.

I was just let go and something feels rotten. I’m not looking forward to the whole “looking for a company that’s a good fit” again being over 40.

Please DONT obsess over the age thing. You can be older and add value. It sucks when you suspect you’ve been let go for financial/age reasons. But after the week long pity party, it’s time to believe in yourself, remind yourself how much you contributed and impacted business, and start to turn all that into stories to share as you network. I promise going thru this exercise will get you jazzed up and feeling confident in yourself. As you look back you’ll realize how impressive you are - and the next agency will be lucky to have you. That’s really important: companies can sniff lack of confidence a mile away. Pull up those bootstraps, give yourself a good talking to if needed, and get out there: your dream opportunity awaits!

I think it can be all of the above. Money is always a factor as senior creatives cost more an many times are “making” less stuff because of intangibles of leadership and strategic direction of account and story.

That being said, many of us have gotten complacent or slightly locked into ways or just not the fire we had and there is a drop off in being “on it” whatever that may mean.

I found little pathway to agencies and had to rethink and refocus how I apply what I love about being creative. And that ended up not being at an agency. But I do everything and more that I would at agency and made me reinvent myself yet again.

I’m with ACD 2. They always ask you what you’re looking for salary-wise but never offer the salary range budget. I’ve been strongly considering knocking 10 years from my book and resume.

You should have 15 years max on your resume -

Perhaps also “”Tik Tok” bias?

https://www.hulu.com/advertising/hulus-digital-identity-exploration/

I’d say it’s at least 80% money. All the rest is just getting rid of older people to save money. But the blame doesn’t fall exclusively on the agency. Clients have been putting the squeeze on agencies for decades. Money’s gotta come from somewhere!