I was in a cafe and sitting at the table next to me was the managing director of a small agency who was meeting with his accountants. They were crawling through the figures and with the current tough times, they weren't too pretty.
The accountants recommended cutting back and an analysis of staff and salaries commenced. The bean counters pounced on the most senior person questioning if he was necessary. The MD stood his ground saying this person had great experience and had been “doing digital since dial-up”. The bean counters' solution was train up two more junior staff to increase their productivity, billings and profit.
You could almost see the “control, click, move to trash” action happening as this person's job fell into a black hole.
So many other senior people in both agencies and clients (including myself) have been through the same situation and we all find ourselves battling to get back into senior roles that have been deleted.
I left the cafe with my blood percolating and decided to take some action to highlight the plight of so many people and quite frankly get a job.
The ensuing campaign included me wearing a very traditional “Work Wanted” sandwich board in Martin Place for a few hours as well as other key agency locations, an interview on Sunrise, cards to drive interested parties to my LinkedIn page and a social media campaign.
The passionate comments on blogs, Facebook and Twitter include numerous people from agencies and a number of incensed clients who are increasingly disappointed with what their agencies have to offer.
There are numerous people like the guy discussed in the cafe and myself who have been “doing digital since dial-up” as well as having experience across the communications mix.
The pressures placed on agencies by clients with unpaid pitches, low retainers and pitching with cut fees only results in inexperienced people being placed on accounts. I fail to see a good outcome for all concerned.
The industry bemoans the fact that it is not attracting graduates who find far better alternatives with a defined career path. Those that hit a career brick wall or their supposed use-by date are unfortunately replaced very easily by those who in all too short a time will find themselves in the same situation.
Clearly this is a much wider issue than people being pushed out of senior roles. It is affecting agenciesand their clients at all levels and needs an open forum where the issues can be tabled and discussed from all sides and a resolution reached for all concerned.
Whilst people may be deleted with “control, click, move to trash”, elephants in the room are a lot harder to move.
My search for a new role continues.
Tony Simms
Adman
Available now
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.