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And was handpicked to work on stunt activations before they were even a thing. And then, I got a new boss who wanted to hire all new creatives. So, I was let go.
And I was let go.
And let go.
Despite doing stellar work, that was repeatedly commended by everyone on my teams.
I work hard and smart, not only thinking about a creative solution, but the budget, how to do something subversive and disruptive, tactical but yet with a larger meaning and on brand. I’m organized, hand in work ahead of time and always go beyond whats asked.
Yet- time and time again my work has been dumbed down & glossed over. I’ve worked with people who will lie, cheat and steal and say whatever they need to about me to make me look bad (often times women). I’ve been told that I should “be nicer” by my boss. But, I don’t think I’ve ever actually been mean. I’m conscious of other people and have only tried to do the best work possible, and if a team member holds me back from that I let my boss know.
This may have just been a headache to them, because in my 8+ years as an Art Director at ad agencies, I’ve never had a good “manager” to look up to, male or female.
I’ve been taken off of accounts because a newer, younger male team was hired, only to have them be invited to present to clients immediately. When after a year, I never had.
I’ve dealt with lawyers and had to fight lies about my work ethic and “optics”.
I desperately want to succeed, and gain the title of Creative Director, ECD, VP, lead a team, mentor younger creatives, especially women.
I care about the work.
I care about the people.
I speak my mind.
And as a cultured, well traveled woman, of multicultural background have realized I’m fighting an impossible fight. I cannot play the toxic game of political bullshit. And I never will. I realize my values are so vastly different from those of a holding company, corporation or your everyday hamsters.
So, I’ll leave the good ole boys club of advertising for my own ventures.
I’ll deal with clients directly and pursue personal projects with companies and brands that support and advocate for women. Because I know my value and all of my bosses have failed to see it.
The sooner you realize people don't get promoted based on talent, initiative and good ideas, the better. Management is about resigning yourself to implementing shitty policies without question. Leadership relies on you to deliver their vision, they don't want someone who wastes their time questioning things. People who care about doing good work and doing the best they can end up working for themselves or at a less structured place. I finally realized that if I wanted to live my most authentic self, I'm going to ruffle feathers and getting fired meant I was doing something right. (5 times so far!) Don't lose faith, you'll find your tribe the moment you stop trying to impress corporate conformist trash. I've been growing my visibility in the industry through publications and informal relationships so I can have a bigger platform to speak to women directly because the existing channels at the large agencies I worked at required that I censor myself and toe the company line. I straight up told the new place I'm working at that I planned to use my name to bring attention to issues important to me and they greenlit it with no conditions.
You should post this on the main bowl. Men have no idea how much bias exist against talented women in this industry. Sorry to hear it OP but totally believe you and think you deserve better.
I hear you - I was just recently let go and now the entire creative department is just white men. I always speak my mind , think of new ways to pitch ideas, pitch the sky and I keep getting told to dial things down but the other male counterparts would just do whatever they want. I’m so sick of being targeted , misunderstood and not given a chance to shine. My Sr copy writer is an useless white male that just watches sports on his computer while I work my ass off (concept, strategize, design ) And at the end I’m the one who gets let go
I'm sorry we're in the same boat, know that you are awesome and deserve better. Maybe one of the higher up women will tell us the secret to breaking through the glass wall? Keep your mouth shut? To get left out of things I'm sure, seems like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. The system is broken.
I hear you and genuinely wonder how empathic/kind people make it in this industry for the long haul. I’m tired of continually having to pull along my male colleagues only for them to be promoted and praised while I’m passed over. It’s demoralizing and exhausting.
Question- what has your partner situation looked like through all of this? Do they agree you have been mistreated? Or are they part of the problem, too?
Several times I've been paired up with male copywriters who have a bad attitude,
are simply lazy, and on their way out already. Once I was paired up with a copywriter more senior than me who was dialed in and it was awesome.
I feel you, I hear you, and I support you from afar.