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I have seen 2 fifty-something former top creative and account people at a major global agency now working in casinos, one cashing
out chips and the other managing one of the restaurants. Both of these people were incredibly respected senior vice presidents just five or so years earlier.
Rising Star
This is all true...but how many executives from other industries have to do the same? Advertising is no different really. It’s just a fact of life.
I was a Sr. VP of TV Production at a a large agency network throughout my 40's. I'm now pushing 60 and running my own little shop as a business affairs and operations consultant. The agency creatives aren't so interested in me anymore but the people who oversee operations are. It's not what I envisioned but I enjoy the people and the work...and I feel like I'm contributing a valuable service.
Didn’t Magic Leap burn through like 2 billion dollars?
You get taken to a nice farm where there is plenty of room to run and play with other 40+ ad folks.
I think I’d like to switch to teaching when I’m done with agency life.
Do you have a terminal degree? MFA or PHD? Most universities still require that. Without they will sometimes let you adjunct for 1-2 classes. But the wage base is poverty level and paid per class. I teach and taught before advertising and teach 1-2 classes a year now in addition to FT ad gig. But academia is a tough transition and not as welcoming as one would expect.
I’m 45 and I’m switching to teaching. 97k a year and a pension. Not great but it’s something I can be excited about.
Summers off?!
68 years old. Still in the business- creating, producing on advertising and a film for streaming service. The key is to stay focused, current and trust your instinct. Still love to shoot.
I’d like to think there is a way to create your own path and possibly train and teach others the craft. There are a lot of young folks coming up that are looking for cliff notes in some areas of the industry and want to learn design programs or how to write copy. And there are lots of young companies looking for expertise in the area and could possibly use a consultant. Maybe just wishful thinking for me...
I see all my peers quietly ushered into Pharma.
I am in pharma adv - switched at 50 and turning 55. My peers from early career not around anymore. The ones that went client side have now been let go in last year before the crisis.
I’m hoping to “retire” to a University marketing role. My understanding is that those are hard to come by and are often based on relationships, so even though I’m many years out, I’m starting to think about how to get my foot in the door. I would love any recommendations!
Thank you! I do have an MBA 🤞
I was starting to write my first novel and even signed on with a writing coach before COVID tanked my retainer clients and I had to switch gears to keep income coming in.
Also toyed with the idea of launching an e-commerce site, but landed a gig pitching someone else’s newly launched e-commerce site.
Lots of options, I think. It just depends on what you want to do.
UX/tech.
Rising Star
Uber. Deliveroo.
Are you really a CEO suggesting to advertising executives over 40 that they drive for Uber? Who owns your soul, Omnicom or WPP?
I am 43 and left media planning to go into book publishing and distribution. I'm so glad to be done with agency life.
Usually
1. Teaching
2. Run your own agency
3. Run your own company (non agency)