I was laid off from Omnicom a few months ago and have been searching for roles since then. As we’re all aware, the job market is horrendous. I had a call with a Publicis last week for a SAE role and my god, the pay is even less than what I was making as just an AE — and nearly $10k less than the minimum range I stated when asked my salary request. I’ve been trying to keep some sort of standard but at this point I feel desperate. The commute to the office is about 50 mins away. I guess I’m just looking for insight on whether I should keep the next interview and decline it. I just feel defeated at this point but I also know beggars can’t be choosy, etc.

I'm a creative agency account manager who has been looking for a job since September. I've had three interviews so far, two of which were for account manager roles at printing/direct mail agencies. I was hesitant to make this move at first, because it would take me away from my current core competency, which is branding (I have a Master's in marketing). But I'm now seriously considering the move, because I'm not even getting screening calls for ad agency jobs. Every job I apply to has over 100 applicants and even if I get a job, agency turnover rates seem unsustainable.

What do you think of this potential career move? Print agency jobs seem to have a lot less interest (less than 10 applicants per job) and seem to have a barrier to entry (print knowledge and experience) that creative agency account management jobs don't seem to have. I worry about the future of print though. What kind of career progression can I expect? Money seems much better than ad agency pay.

Does anyone get nervous presenting to clients? I’m a SAE and being on account, we present and speak a lot to clients. I led my first real client call today with just the client and my AS. I had to pull in my AS in like 2 times to chime in but I led majority of the call, I felt so nervous! My AS called me prior to our client call to make sure I was prepared and he wanted me to explain to him why we are having this call with the client. I really like my AS actually because he wants me to be confident in myself and have me lead. It makes me feel like he believes in me. I just hope me asking him to chime in or gut check me doesn’t leave an impression to him that I am unsure.

I had an understanding of what I’m saying but I feel like I am always thinking to myself and questioning if I’m clear enough. My AS who is obviously more experienced in this field than me. I’m only 25 and this is really my first job in an agency where I have autonomy to own my own projects. The client is super chill but I get so nervous if I sound dumb!

It feels like everyone knows what they’re talking about and are confident. Maybe cause I graduated during covid years, and obviously there’s a gap in Gen Z ways of working in the workplace. But I genuinely feel like I’m always overthinking my words and watch my senior team members speak so effortlessly about projects. And it’s like they know next steps off the top of their heads and how to problem solve so quickly. Maybe I should give myself some grace because these are projects I’m taking on and leading for the first time too. I need advice and maybe reassurance that it does get better in time eventually.

I’m looking to get in the entertainment industry, and want to start with the agencies. I know WPP Media does advertising for NBC/Universal. Any other notable agencies?

Looking to hire someone who can produce ~10 HCP email designs for me over the next couple of weeks, open to negotiating rates :)

Thanks.

Every brand ad on my feed is the same video now. Person in a car or kitchen, captions in that white box font, "ok so I wasn't gonna post this but.."

It started as the anti-ad. Felt real coz it was real.

Now I'm seeing briefs that literally say "make it look unscripted" & scripts that went through 6 rounds for a video that's supposed to look like it took 30 seconds.

It clearly works or nobody would keep paying for it.

But at this point it's a costume & people scroll past it the same way they scroll past a glossy studio ad.

Feels like the next thing that'll stand out is just.. a well made ad again

I want to learn meta ads, is it useful and can I earn good after leaning or basically what is the best way to learn it

And is it a valuable skill to learn

Hi guys!! I’m currently a high school senior looking to go to college for advertising/ strategic comms to pursue a career in creative advertising. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid, but honestly this sub is scaring me lol. I don’t want a completely soul sucking corporate job in an ultra competitive market, but that seems to be the consensus. I’m worried the vision in my head of the job being fun and creative is maybe not real. I don’t have any idea what I would do instead though!! Any insight or advice is appreciated 🙏🙏🙏 TIA

Hi everyone! I’m exploring remote opportunities in digital marketing, brand strategy, creative strategy, and client leadership.

I have 9+ years of experience working as Associate client director with global clients , including Netflix, BBC, McLaren, Coca-Cola, L’Oréal, Reckitt, P&G etc in the UK as well as in GCC region.

I’m looking to connect with companies, recruiters, or agencies hiring for remote roles across the globe. If you know of any opportunities or leads, I’d really appreciate a comment below.

Happy to share my CV and LinkedIn. Thanks! 🙌

So some of you people will know that I have been searching for jobs in the advertising industry, and I am keen on major and challenger boutique agencies that handles ad planning/buying related roles. I apparently got headhunted by bluefocus to join them as a media strategist and the interview will be next week. Did a search and got mixed answers where some say advertising agency while the others say AI AdTech.

Therefore, I would like to know more about them and what I should know prior to deciding if I should take. Links shared in comments

Small start up. Can’t hire for this and looking to get large wheat-pasting posters printed asap. Leads appreciated!

What’s the vibe like? Better than Omnicom or on par?

HQ is in NJ so are most remote?

A year ago, if you’d asked me how I felt about my job, I would’ve raved about it. I genuinely loved where I worked, the people I worked with, and the work I was doing. I felt lucky to be there.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve never felt more miserable or disillusioned with an employer.

I miss IPG. And honestly, I feel cheated by this acquisition. It’s a strange feeling to wake up one day and realize you effectively work for an entirely different company, with a completely different culture and values, despite never having made the choice to leave the one you actually liked.

The disconnect between Omnicom leadership and the people doing the actual work is staggering. The corporate doublespeak, the constant pressure to do more with less, and the apparent disregard for employee morale have been exhausting to watch.

We’re hemorrhaging talent. Some of the best people I’ve ever worked with are leaving, and I can’t even blame them. It sucks watching talented teams fall apart while everyone who’s left is expected to pick up the slack and carry on like it’s business as usual.

I’ve been trying to put on a smile and power through it because I genuinely love my team and the people I work with. They’re a huge part of why I loved my job in the first place. But it’s getting harder to pretend everything is fine when my mental health is taking a real hit. I hate that a job I used to love has become something that fills me with dread, and I hate even more that the people who make it worth staying are the ones suffering through it alongside me.

And on top of all of this, I’ve spent the better part of a year dealing with uncertainty surrounding a major client review. So between the acquisition, the departures, and the constant question of what the future even looks like, it’s been incredibly difficult to stay motivated.
The saddest part is that I still enjoy the actual work. I care about my clients and my colleagues. But I’m finding it harder and harder to care about the success of the company employing me.

I’ve never wanted to see a company fail as badly as I want Omnicom to. Not because I want anyone to lose their job, but because I desperately want to see this kind of corporate leadership face some consequences for what it’s doing to people.

Judging by the other posts here, I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. It’s just depressing to think about how happy I was a year ago compared to now.

I didn’t leave a job I loved. The company I loved effectively disappeared out from under me.

Hi all! I’ve been working at agencies for nearly a decade, and I’m honestly feeling burnt out beyond belief. I’ve been considering asking my company about the possibility of moving into HR, but I’m curious to hear from anyone who works in HR at an agency.
Is it still just as chaotic because of the agency environment, or is it generally a bit more manageable? I’m assuming there’s less pressure since it’s non-client-facing and not a revenue-driving department, but I could be completely wrong!

I’m interviewing for a role with a large firm, and things are looking promising.

I’ve been with my current company for almost 3 years as a contractor, with little to no career growth. I already feel like I’ve wasted a good chunk of my early career staying somewhere comfortable.

My current role is fully remote at a great, well-known national company. I’m comfortable, know my job well, and have a good routine, but there’s very little room for growth, and my benefits are pretty bad.

The new role would come with a salary increase of around $5,000 annually, if that, plus a 5–7% bonus.

The bigger draw is the career growth, along with benefits I currently don’t have, including PTO, health insurance, and a 401(k) match.

The downside is that it’s hybrid, with a 45 minute commute each way. I’d also be giving up the flexibility and comfort I’ve gotten used to working remotely.

I’ve brought up converting to full-time and getting a pay increase with my current manager multiple times, but I keep getting told there’s a hiring freeze. They’ve now promised that one of the two will happen in January, but I honestly don’t know if I have it in me to keep waiting, especially after almost 3 years.

What would you do? Would you take the new role for the long-term career growth and benefits, even if the immediate financial gain is relatively small?

The hybrid schedule and commute is what’s really throwing me off.

Anybody working there on here? I've heard they're a startup trying to be innovative in healthcare but curious as to what the work culture is like

Do you guys do courses or something

So, obviously start out with affiliate style ads and then when there's significant inventory, reach out to buyers? Then keep going?

I’m considering a couple of roles at different agencies and had a screening call with Omnicom where they cited 60k for Performance Director role.

I’m based in Australia in same role and earn AUD 120k, which is more than the GBP 60k amount after currency conversion so this opportunity would be a pay cut along with higher rents and cost of living.

Reasons why I suspect they have lower budget if they’re not lowballing me:
1. It’s a single client role, and would work with European markets. Maybe relatively chill work dynamics.
2. No direct reports, but managing performance of other cross functional team members on the client account. But no people manager aspect.

If I join them late this year, I’d probably not be eligible for upcoming pay review so I’m potentially being locked in for 1.5 years with no pay rise.

Looking as Glassdoor this does seem to be lowest of lowest ballpark but they don’t seem like they’d budge on the number. Anyone know much about the current salaries for this role at the agency or shed some context on why they have budgeted this role so low?

I am a senior level media planner/buyer with almost 10 years of experience. My agency is small to mid and is a sinking ship - I’ve been trying to get out for over a year but can’t get hired. I’ve been applying to equivalent roles both at agencies and in house (mostly remote due to my location). Does anyone have suggestions for different roles to apply to where my skills would be applicable ? Ex: marketing manager? And at this time I’m not able to relocate, just fyi before that is suggested. Thanks!

When creating global/international campaigns what questions would you like to have answered? For example, ICP or Personas? Keywords? Please help me understand. And if so, how do you get all the answers.

I’m still fairly young in my career but I find this industry to be so unfulfilling. I’m currently at a big holding company but I really don’t want to do this long term. I went to college for marketing and did not expect to land in advertising but here we are. I feel really uncomfortable staying here right now and wasting my potential.

Additionally, I just got promoted but see no future here. I just feel like there’s so much more I can do with my day. However, I really need to maintain a job because I live in nyc… I really want to pivot though but to what? Even if it’s for a short period of time. I need a break to regulate my nervous system and feel human again. This job and industry is draining.

Im also on a new team, with a new client where im getting no onboarding. I’m completely lost and trying my best to keep up but im so overwhelmed and mentally tired. In my previous role I was overworked and underpaid (I still am) so I think ive gotten completely burned out.

Oh I’m 25 btw so I feel like I should have my life together but idk what im even doing tbh

Hello,

I suppose this post should be on a mental health subreddit, but oh well.

I work in an agency as an SEO for year and a half. I have ADHD and I have always been an anxious person. But in the last months it is getting worse and worse.

I got to a point where I have a paralyzing fear of opening work e-mails, reading messages etc, because I fear what deadlines I missed, which client or colleague is pissed at me or which client I havent attended for months...

Just an hour ago I got a message from an account manager, asking me how are things on client X, because apparently he wants to meet.

That message completely paralyzed me and right now I dont know which thing to work on next.

To stifle the anxiety from bad news, I developed kratom addiction and recently I start taking anti anxiety pills I do not have prescription for alongside ADHD meds.

Right now, I just have to know...how to get mentally prepared for bad news in the field? Pissed clients, bosses etc.? Because even a slightest bit of inconvenience totally wrecks me, hinders my work performance and I dont know how long I can keep this up.

Hi all! I will shortly be graduating with a B.Hons in international business. I have a lot of filmmkaing and creative experience (directing, shooting and BTS content for major productions) but advertising is appealing to me as an industry. What advice can you give me once i leave college ? (I have sales and marketing experience but not ad specific).