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 advertising industry...what do you all think?, long hours, stressful, low pay

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thyceult
post Jul 22 2009, 10:24 PM

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Dear Swordfish,

I am a little confused about the timeline in terms of how being with this company for 5 months plus being an AE with another company for 4 months relates to being a designer for 9. I can only assume you are referring to different timelines here.

Nevertheless, let's focus on the part where you decided you had enough of being a designer and moving on to being an AE again. While the others have covered rather important points about work culture and what suits you best, allow me to share with you some things that most might overlook.

If you are planning for a career in advertising (whatever the capacity) know this:

1. Unlike other jobs, the company structure tends to be very flat and broad. This said, if your immediate superior is very capable and young but is already experiencing problems becoming a partner in an agency, it's time to start worrying. Inability to progress or help your boss get on top is one of the first signs that the agency will experience an implosion sometime in the near future. The theory behind this is a long-winded one. You can pm me for more details on this if you wish. vmad.gif

2. Based on (1), your own career path in the company is usually measured on the merit of your work. That said, I don't mean by how much work you do. It means how much work you are SEEN doing and how much work you bring in for the company. Bosses that are intelligent and know your true value will appreciate all the other, more subtle qualities you possess. But in reality, those bosses are very far and wide in between. shakehead.gif

3. A career path in designing is not entirely flawed. It is just based on personal choice (as others have mentioned) but those whose work shines will only be worthy of mention if they have a really strong senior or team lead that's willing to concede the credit to you where it counts. Do not underestimate the power of the portfolio here. For a designer, it is the equivalent of the experience you gained from servicing difficult clients as an AE. icon_idea.gif

4. Being an AE is more about the quantity of work as opposed to the quality of work when compared to a designer. That said, it's not an invitation for you to simply get your job done and forget about it. It's about being there whenever the client needs you. Being on hand to answer all the questions posed in an acceptable fashion and to immediately revert to the client on jobs pending and other complications. It is all about being present.

5. I apologize for my panic earlier on the issue of your focus change. I thought the decision to change from design to AE was by your company. If so, I would advise you to get the heck out of there as soon as possible. In addition, forgive me for saying this, but if there was very little resistance in your changing from creative to servicing, that must mean you are not working your full value as a designer either (or that the agency is small). icon_question.gif

6. Let's talk shop. Salary is one of the most important things where people measure their worth and the worth of their time. AE in most agencies tend to have more tiers, so the progression in salary is more refined. On the creative side though, the tiers tend to be less, so you will notice a more significant jump in the pay each time you are upgraded. The practice to give salary increases and bonuses is significantly rare in this industry, and even more so in recent times (due to economy and competitive price wars). Don't expect to get fed on just pay raises alone. The opportunity cost in waiting for a pay raise to justify years of hell don't make it worth your time UNLESS you already love the job in the first place. whistling.gif


These are some interesting points to ponder. Hope that they are enough to help you come to a clearer decision and picture on the industry in general.

If you still intend to stay in the industry but intend to make the most out of it for as long as you are staying, then feel free to PM me and I can advise you on strategies to command more pay in the industry.

If you intend to leave, as tinkerbel and many others have said, please do consider making the most out of your stay. Learn up, experience all there is, train up your discipline and build your networks. If you did well in all of these, people will notice and people that do notice will find you later on.

Cheers,
Jesse


P.S.: Sorry for the lengthy post.

This post has been edited by thyceult: Jul 22 2009, 10:26 PM
Brightsight
post Jul 23 2009, 09:55 AM

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QUOTE(tinkerbel @ Jul 22 2009, 02:40 PM)
@Brightsight,
Er...... nolah that's v mean and then it'll never be an ending cycle then biggrin.gif
*
what i meas is, when you have the experience.. do you want to share your experience or just keep it by urself?? some people can teach others with a very good manner, but most people can't... it is up to the individual how do we want to bring it.. but.. just wish the cycle will be end buttt........ heheheheeee...... brows.gif
Joey Christensen
post Jul 23 2009, 10:06 AM

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Buck up or lose out. Please accept reality as it comes by. Yu are a young and naive fella...yet not stupid.

Can't stand the heat? Either yu bite the bullet or dodge your way out. When the time comes, grab your gears and leave. Don't look back.

Regards, Joey
kynkiez
post Jul 27 2009, 10:57 AM

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QUOTE(goldfries @ Jul 22 2009, 07:41 PM)
???
normal.

i had days where i had to sacrifice holidays.

i had days where i had to overnight to get things done.

i had days where i had to rush few days because ridiculous client requirement.

it's part of work.

maybe you could talk to your seniors and understand the work culture better.
*
yea same to me...its normal.....hahahahhah
arturn
post Jul 27 2009, 11:16 AM

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it's normal to have long working hours in this industry...i've been in this industry for 2 years already. kind off use to it.but i feel the pay that i am getting now is quite high though.
wacko_joy
post Jul 27 2009, 11:18 AM

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QUOTE(tinkerbel @ Jul 22 2009, 02:22 PM)
Eh.. U people make it sound like it's so bad working in the Advertising industry - if so Y even bother getting urself into it in the first place?  We never said it was an easy job and needs loads of passion.

PS: I'd been in the industry for almost a decade now.
*
I very agree with what you say. Is all about PASSION. Like goldfries case, i have stay overnight, sacrifice weekends... and etc. But still i endure on. But of course if there is a better company which offer you better benefit and at the same time allows you to continue your passion in creativity... it will be great smile.gif
tinkerbel
post Jul 27 2009, 11:21 AM

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@arturn,
Wanna give us an indication so we know whether we're under paid or not?!
bergeryap87
post Jul 27 2009, 11:25 AM

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Dear Swordfish,

I understand how you feel being shoot in the company. Expectation of industry on a fresh graduate is really high now. Therefore, they thought paying 2.2K will get something out of you. But looks like everyone is doing the wrong thing which is forcing and squeezing a fresh graduate to perform.

I was interning in BBDO, a great place for me to work. (maybe becoz im an intern thats why no pressure on work. But overall, people there are great). Then I started full time with TBWA. I left there after 6 months (I'm sure you know why) and then I join an event company.

I must say, being screwed in the industry is one thing that will always happen in advertising industry. Whenever something goes wrong in the visual or FA, your AD or AM will start to look for people to blame at, but not themselves. Putting the blame on you, and if you accept it will give them a stepping stone to bring this issue to a higher level people like Business Unit Head and tell them what happen with the AE (like us). Then we get screwed by everyone and making work life harder and harder each day.

My advise to you. if you think you want to leave. Go on with it. No point staying in a company that doesn't have nice colleague to work with u. In one week time, you spend 2/3 hour working in office. Is better to have good colleague than bad colleague. It create a diffference in terms of your work. So, leave the company and learn your lesson this time. Go other agency and do better things. In chinese saying 'pan chu sek lou fu' (act pig but eat like a tiger). This is the best tactic to work. Act like stupid all the while, but when emergency arrive you should reveal yourself as a tiger.

hope it helps,
Yap
ex-BBDO AE
ex-TBWA AE
arturn
post Jul 27 2009, 11:25 AM

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er..i am getting more than 3k for AE with 2 years experience.is it low?
tinkerbel
post Jul 27 2009, 11:31 AM

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@arturn,
That is exceptionally high, unless of course you happen to be holding a telco account. Ah well..... the industry is such; there's just no proper pay scale to follow.
bergeryap87
post Jul 27 2009, 11:33 AM

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QUOTE(arturn @ Jul 27 2009, 11:25 AM)
er..i am getting more than 3k for AE with 2 years experience.is it low?
*
that is consider quite high adi. but 2 years experience.. u shud be senior AE now adi wert... or ready to be AM..

btw, which agency r u in?


arturn
post Jul 27 2009, 11:35 AM

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i'm actually holding retail account..not telco.lol
wilmateng
post Jul 27 2009, 11:43 AM

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passion is very important in this industry due to the extremely long hours, lousy starting pay and demanding customers. but after a few years when you are more experience, you may than start earning what you deserve.
arturn
post Jul 27 2009, 11:50 AM

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yup..agree with u..i started with around 1.2k only
bergeryap87
post Jul 27 2009, 12:01 PM

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The passion of this industry will only sparkle on nights like Kancil Awards and others. Normal work day will never sparks a passion in us
arturn
post Jul 27 2009, 12:05 PM

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lol..bergeryap u r in which agency?
bergeryap87
post Jul 27 2009, 12:08 PM

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QUOTE(arturn @ Jul 27 2009, 12:05 PM)
lol..bergeryap u r in which agency?
*
interned in BBDO from Sept 2007 to Dec 2007

then

fulltime in TBWA from August 2008 to March 2009

now im in some small event company.

arturn: i would love to know which agency u r from as well. im not here to kill you and tell ur boss u r b****ing about it, but at least i know which agency is paying well.. hahaha do pm me your agency name, thanks
KiMi1986
post Jul 27 2009, 01:06 PM

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i m a fresh grad, which is diploma anyone know where got a vacancy for media planner(trainee)?
tinkerbel
post Jul 27 2009, 02:05 PM

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@KiMi1986,
If ur looking to join the media specialist as media planner, U should check out the Media Specialist Association website.
bergeryap87
post Jul 27 2009, 06:03 PM

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QUOTE(KiMi1986 @ Jul 27 2009, 01:06 PM)
i m a  fresh grad, which is diploma anyone know where got a vacancy for media planner(trainee)?
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pm me your email. then i will work out with u from there.. i know someone from mindshare that should be able to help you out..

the best thing to find in a job is a nice boss... that can teach you well, so that you grow faster in the industry

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