AgencySpy - Latest Comments in BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

NYC Auto Client — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:57:14 -0000

Well that might have worked in the 80's, but it's not going to work now. Just ask all of the print/catalog creatives from Ross Roy. These days, you have contiually build your skill set.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Seasoned Ad Professional — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:17:03 -0000

Young marketers also take notice... there is no such thing as job security in the ad business; never was and certainly never will be again. You need to look out for yourself and jump from agency to agency to maintain your own career on your own terms.

Furthermore, know that your job performance in no way dictates whether you will be laid off or not. If you're on the list to be let go, you're there for arbitrary reasons. That said, never work more than a 40 hour work week. Salary means 40 hours, not nights and weekends. The client can very well wait for their precious ad concepts to be delivered. In the long run (and even short) you will not be rewarded for extra effort. So don't do it. Work 40 hours. Watch out for yourself. And know that it's pretty much a 100% sure thing you will be laid off in your career. So give only what you are given.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

edgar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:00:36 -0000

Not necessarily so NYC. BBDO had a large group of people who joined in the 80's, grew the account and were rewarded quite well for their efforts. That's why so many did not leave...it was reward, not apathy that motivated them. Most who were downsized ended up doing ok for themselves.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

NYC Auto Client — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:46:25 -0000

20 years? Young marketers take notice. Working 20 years at one shop, in one city and in one industry is classic example of how destroy to your long-term career opportunities.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Fired! — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:11:37 -0000

Thank you! :)

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Don Draper — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:33:36 -0000

There's some really talented folks over there--- could easily do some killer work for a pitch or a piece of new business.
Talk about a waste of resources.
Hang in there "FIRED". Something will come up.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Teabags & Old Hags — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:23:32 -0000

Amen, brother.

Most on target posted.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

IM A PC — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:27:11 -0000

There is absolutely no doubt that the economy and declining auto industry has had a terrible impact on BBDO Detroit. (Deepest sympathies go out to everyone who lost their jobs yesterday.) With that said, however, the person that should be let go will be the last one left to turn the lights out: the president and CEO. The spirit of an organization starts at the top. And BBDO Detroit deeply needs a boost in spirit and certainly, more inspiring leadership.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

edgar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:58 -0000

Actually, the place went to hell when Clark left

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

edgar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:51:38 -0000

I spent 20+ years at BBDO Detroit. Used to be a great place...best place in Detroit to work. The agency lost its soul in 2001. This is a classic example of what happens when an agency gets too corporate and forgets that creativity and the work is why all of us get into the damn business to begin with. The post 2001 era is like a post apocalyptic scene from a B movie. Lots of walking dead with nowhere to go.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Fired! — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:24 -0000

Thanks!

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

SeparateRooms — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:08:13 -0000

You are truly a good person.
Nice post.
Best of luck to you.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Fired! — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:01:22 -0000

Thank You!!!

Yes, I've been on the phone/computer all morning already. I do appreciate the advice & support. And I'm ready to take anything, it might even be GREAT to get out of this biz!

Thanks again....

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Copywriter For Hire — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:21:36 -0000

Just did some fact checking ... my mistake: unemployment taps out at $362 a week. (I'm no longer collecting, as I'm working again, so I forgot)

Get info:

http://www.michigan.gov/uia...

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Copywriter For Hire — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:18:42 -0000

A word from a dude who's been in your shoes ...

1) Try not to take it personally. You weren't fired. Just no longer needed as a company resource. No matter how good your work might have been, you are just a statistic to the bean counters like the rest of us worker bees.

2) Unemployment tops out at $340 a week in benefits. Being single, your Cobra will cost you approx $450-550 a month. Get signed up with the MI unemployment office right away, today. It will take a few weeks to kick in. You will need to find some kind of part time work to carry you through.

3) Know that while it looks bleak today, you will work again, probably somewhere you like even better. This is just a set back. However, it will probably be a while. There are absolutely no adv jobs open in the Metro Detroit Area right now. Try to enjoy the time off.

4) Start freelancing as much as possible.

5) Don't overlook job placement firms like Aquent and The Creative Group.

6) Don't be proud.Take anything you can to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

6)Best of luck to you.

I've been laid off three times since 2003, first from BBDO, then two other agencies. I'm used to this shiat.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Fired! — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:23:35 -0000

I was let go yesterday. Yeah, what am I supposed to do? I did all the "right" things: went to college on scholarship, got a good job after, worked hard for years, bought a house, was a productive & contributing citizen... now what? Stupid unemployment will only cover the cost of my mortgage + COBRA. What about car/food/bills? I have no spouse to fall back on, and I would leave this area/state in a minute if I could dump the house!

The leaders at BBDO have no idea what they are doing. We were given the ok to find new clients 3 years ago in a new contract, and they still haven't done so. I knew this was coming, but there really isn't much out there to go to, so the job search was almost pointless. Until absolutley necessary. And I agree with all the comments about the lack of creativity. I was bored doing my work, when there was work. I guess the only way to look at it is maybe I'm just "slightly" ahead of the rest of 'em when they go down.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Detroit Ad Man Not At BBDO — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:02:14 -0000

Do you know which agency will be doing the Mercedes work at the end of the year? Where is it going?

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

3ptConversion — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:30:08 -0000

The New York idiots were the old guys I was pointing to.
My bad. I should have said BBDO NY.

They even ripped off their oversized office supplies on the street guerrilla stuff from Europe.
The shit was done there first.
I think it shows the character of the guys making the decisions at the NY orifice.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

NYC Auto Client — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:07:23 -0000

I feel bad for those that lost jobs, but the Detroit ad community has been hurting for years. If you didn't see this coming then you're either a true optimist, in serious denial or both.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

ex-detroiter in chicago — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:21:01 -0000

QUOTE: The old dudes at BBDO thought that this is what is meant by guerrilla advertising.

Man do they know about alt advert. or what!

Hey Razors: Those spots were done at BBDONY. Lose your subscription to Creativity?

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Anony-mous — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:47:22 -0000

I am part of the prep dept that BBDO uses for their work.

We saw it happen today. Exactly 165 people were laid off.

Numerous account persons, print production was affected.

Due to the fact that at the end of the year the Mercedes work will no longer be done by BBDO, people who worked on those jobs and other miscellaneous jobs were terminated as they will no longer have anything to do.

I don't have a full breakdown, I only interacted with maybe a dozen of the folks who are now gone.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Razors in the hallways — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:36:01 -0000

The old dudes at BBDO thought that this is what is meant by guerrilla advertising.

Man do they know about alt advert. or what!

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

ex-detroiter in chicago — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:19:10 -0000

Sounds like they swapped the Pepsi logo for a Dodge logo on the storyboard. Pepsi probably got scared once they saw the giant gorilla.

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

Smellmypits — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:34:12 -0000

I liked the guy at the hotdog stand or newstand whichever, who was wearing the fall jacket even though the temp gauge at the begining said it was over 100 degrees. Way to slide that ziggy under the client's nose!

Re: BBDO Detroit to Cut 100-200 Jobs - mediabistro.com: AgencySpy

ex-detroiter in chicago — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:18:28 -0000

Mr. Pants,

Did you work on the Dodge Spot where the Nitro falls through the layers of the earth? Nicely done. Who's basement did you shoot those effects in?
Or did you do the Dodge Spot with the giant waterslide? Terribly clever. It's a good thing you put the temperature gauge in the front of the spot to tell us just how hot it was out.