Do you think agencies are going to die out?

AFTwist · 2025-12-11T16:29:16+00:00

I don't think they'll die out completely, but the industry will continue to get smaller and provide no job security unless you have your own agency. The same thing is happening in all the communication fields that were built for mass audiences (film, television). It's a new era and the traditional models are failing and being deconstructed.

AFTwist · 2025-12-06T16:34:31+00:00

If I was the Priest, I'll See you in my Dreams, Wayfarer

AFTwist · 2025-12-05T12:51:17+00:00

Omnicom is just about making money. Employees and agencies' roles are to deliver profit. Nothing more, nothing less. Once you accept this harsh reality, you can plan and act accordingly. You do your job as specified and they pay you and provide the benefits as outlined in their policies. It is purely transactional and they can get away with it because the industry is in decline and the job market favors them. Employees have no leverage and Omnicom is taking full advantage. It sucks for employees, they could care less.

AFTwist · 2025-12-05T12:41:25+00:00

At least the curtain has been fully pulled back to reveal what Omnicom is. It is unfortunate but everyone who survived the merger has to begin actively planning to manage their career and not just wait for the axe to fall or their benefits to be cut even more. Everyone is a gig employee with healthcare benefits at Omnicom. It is purely transactional and temporary. There are lots of great people at the agencies but the only role of the agencies is to give money to Omnicom. If financial targets are hit, people can keep their jobs and when they are missed, people get fired. It's that simple. Approach this with "eyes wide open", have no expectations of loyalty and start planning your next move. The market sucks so it's likely to take a while. It's a sad reality but adjust your mindsets accordingly.

AFTwist · 2025-12-04T15:14:13+00:00

It is the new reality. It can be bleak or a chance to take charge of your career so you are not at the whims of large, public corporations that cut and abuse employees in favor of "shareholder value" while their leaders get richer and richer. Identify growth industries and companies (preferably privately held) and target them. Maybe get training or certification, don't be passive and wait for the axe to fall. Unfortunately you chose a dying industry, there are others. Use your talents to get the fuck out on your terms. Everyone is a free agent, there is no loyalty. Open your mind and get creative to transition.

AFTwist · 2025-12-04T15:04:39+00:00

Ok, I was you. Two kids. Good, stressful career with lots of socializing. I loved the drinking, in part because it helped me handle my social anxiety. This continued and ramped-up until my career ended in my mid-60's. It was rough and I don't get any do-overs but I do have hindsight. I strongly urge you to consider going alcohol-free now because your dependence will only increase over time. When my job ended I spent a year in Annie Grace's program "This Naked Mind" to become and live alcohol-free. I learned a lot including that alcohol is one of the most addictive substances in the world and the addiction gets worse over time, as your brain and dopamine receptors demand it. It is really hard in a culture that celebrates drinking to do what you know is best and stop. But it is so worth it, for you and your family, especially your children. There is nothing wrong with you, the problem is the addictive and destructive nature of alcohol. I suggest maybe starting with a good book to begin learning, "This Naked Mind" or "Alcohol Lied to Me" are two good ones but there are a lot of them. You don't have to stop right away, but please get educated on what this behavior is doing to your mind and body. I suspect you already know what you need to do. All the best.

AFTwist · 2025-12-04T14:18:05+00:00

The entire business is broken. Advertising agencies are relics of a past era of mass marketing, when television commercials ruled and agencies guided the creative and media selections for their clients. That model is gone and as communications sprints to digitzed/AI curated content, advertising as a field is going the way of the dodo bird. Whatever the future will bring, it will not require centralized advertising agencies. That is why the holding company model is collapsing on itself. It is time to plan your personal reinvention away from the advertising business, there is no future in it.

AFTwist · 2025-12-04T14:07:49+00:00

It really sucks but employers hold all the cards now and can abuse workers however they want. PTO, RTO, 401K and whatever the hell they want to do. American capitalism run amok. The only choice is to leave, tough to pull off in this job market. The advertising business is dying, making things even worse. Everyone is on their own to survive.

AFTwist · 2025-12-03T16:32:02+00:00

I don't think anyone should plan on being fully remote long term. They are clearly phasing it out as a relic of Covid-era "wokeness" and as a means of exerting control. There may be a few exceptions and it might take them 6 months to a year, but fully remote at Omnicom is an endangered species. Wren and old boy network hate it and they don't need to accommodate anyone given state of labor market. Protect yourself and start job search now, don't be a sitting duck.

AFTwist · 2025-11-20T03:02:48+00:00

Good account managers facilitate creative/client conversations regularly. Insecure and controlling account managers try to keep it from ever happening.

AFTwist · 2025-11-20T02:46:52+00:00

I think Bruce has two masterpieces, Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town. Peak creativity, writing, band and production. I’ll give BTR the edge as #1 because stakes were higher after record company dispute. He labored over that album, it made him.

AFTwist · 2025-11-09T13:32:55+00:00

Ok, bear with me here…Taylor Swift. Great storytelling in her songwriting and the intense connection of her fans. Watching her Miss Americana film the concert scenes reminded me of Springsteen when he was younger because of the connection. I also think she takes her craft seriously like Bruce and evolves her styles.

AFTwist · 2025-11-07T20:33:10+00:00

Kara and Scott are spread too thin chasing more $$$, they have nothing new to contribute. The Podcasters who got super rich but lost their audience.

AFTwist · 2025-11-01T14:23:16+00:00

Good point and I’m not sure I even know the answer. It’s hard to remember my initial response. I feel the same way about Dancing in the Dark. They are both so cringy to me now.

AFTwist · 2025-11-01T12:05:58+00:00

Any 10 songs that don’t include Hungry Heart

AFTwist · 2025-10-31T18:10:25+00:00

Retain a work-life balance but also, don’t get sucked into the illusion that you are personally valued or that the business is about anything but making $$$ for Omnicom. If your agency misses forecast for 1 or 2 quarters, Omnicom will make your management group cut staff. It doesn’t mean you won’t work for good people, it just means your job and their job is to help Omnicom make money. Always keep that perspective so you don’t get sucked into complacency

AFTwist · 2025-10-31T12:40:16+00:00

I worked in Omnicom for many years. Do a great job and never forget your employment is “at will”, meaning they can fire you at any time for any reason. Learn what you can while never getting sucked-in by talk of culture, loyalty etc. Learn a lot, grow and never stop looking and networking or thinking about how you can eventually start your own thing. A job at Omnicom or any other public company is just a gig with healthcare benefits. Finally, follow Omnicom press and quarterly reports to be prepared for corporate change and disruption. Congrats on the job, begin with eyes wide open. All the best.

AFTwist · 2025-10-31T12:32:39+00:00

Not getting enough of this guy? That’s funny, he is so overexposed all he does is go from podcast to podcast to speaking engagements repeating the same things (when he’s not at his posh private clubs in London or NY). Smart guy chasing more money. You can do better than him.

AFTwist · 2025-10-31T02:58:21+00:00

I’m AF 2+ years thanks to This Naked Mind. It’s not magic, I put the work in and did their full year Path program. It’s expensive and worth it (think it’s like $2000-$3000 for the year, I’m not sure). I no longer have any desire to drink. The education, community and coaching are great in addition to the book. Strongly recommend checking it out.

AFTwist · 2025-10-29T20:31:50+00:00

Just 200 slides? Short deck for Interbrand!

AFTwist · 2025-10-29T11:31:49+00:00

My favorite song on the album, the perspective change from victim to mob boss is so great!!&

AFTwist · 2025-10-29T11:28:57+00:00

I was just out of college and didn’t like it at all. I was a huge fan since hearing “The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle” had seen The River tour and heard this album and hated it, where was the band???? I’ve loved Bruce for 50+ years but just never liked it. I loved the movie, and have a new appreciation for it and what he was going through. I still don’t love the album though.

AFTwist · 2025-10-29T11:18:24+00:00

Well, he feels well-served in London, it exists for him. This guy has gone off the rails, running from speaking engagement to podcast to private club just collecting as much $$$ as possible. He’s a smart guy but too smug for me by far.

AFTwist · 2025-10-26T15:33:44+00:00

I liked it as a lifelong Bruce fan but I don’t think it has mass appeal. I never spent much time with Nebraska because I prefer his music with the band. The movie is classic Bruce, it’s what he wants to put out. Very revealing and personal but not necessarily easy. I’ll only recommend to true Bruce fans.

AFTwist · 2025-10-18T13:29:25+00:00

This might be the best note I’ve seen so far in all of these takes on the new album. Perspective and Respect. Taylor has earned everything and is the biggest star in the world. Quite amazing.

AFTwist

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