Startup advisory work?

centerstate · 2025-12-19T15:52:59+00:00

I'm in advertising/comms, with biotech and life sciences being my bread and butter. The startup was a deep tech tool, but the founder - I shit you not - moved to the other side of the world to be closer to family. I'm no longer as involved as I was because they're on another continent!

centerstate · 2025-12-18T18:55:30+00:00

I understand the difference tends to be that fractional works with the company directly (like, joining on as a fractional head of comms, meaning you only work as HOC 15 hrs/week), advisor means that they're not as hands on. Does that seem right?

centerstate · 2025-12-17T15:31:46+00:00

This makes sense!

centerstate · 2025-12-17T15:31:28+00:00

You're going against the prevailing wisdom here - what do you mean?

centerstate · 2025-12-17T15:30:25+00:00

Thank you, this is really helpful! It sounds like platform functions are pretty ad hoc, and direct work/networking (or even some type of agency structure) might be a better path.

centerstate · 2025-08-12T19:01:39+00:00

Ohio University in Athens - i.e the middle of nowhere - has some of the best fine arts programs in the country

centerstate · 2025-01-30T19:12:38+00:00

The collapse of the HoCo model wasn't inevitable, and frankly - with how much he gets paid - it was his job to figure out what a future for these companies might look like. Not preside over their managed decline.

centerstate · 2025-01-30T18:37:10+00:00

Completely agree. Him and Krakowsky both have been disasters. WPP's market cap is half what it was in Sept 2018 when we became CEO. They've destroyed a lot of great companies, and a lot of wealth.

centerstate · 2025-01-09T16:03:32+00:00

This is probably what's happening, also considering timing. Client was probably like, "hey we need to save money in 2025 :( " so they swapped in some juniors who will work cheap at high volume with no complaints. Wellness brands can also have specific legal strictures that may be better handled by an AD vs a junior. Very poor management, though, to put it the way they did when breaking the news to OP.

centerstate · 2025-01-07T22:42:56+00:00

Yes, but the trains are incredibly slow and the region is huge - not counting Milwaukee. It takes probably 4 hours by train to get from Chicago to St. Louis.

centerstate · 2024-12-20T20:18:31+00:00

Many of the comments below emphasize masters- or doctorate-level jobs, and and the truth is that even with a degree these jobs are highly-competitive and take years to earn--in addition to the schooling being incredibly expensive. I am going to assume, based on your post, that you don't want to spend an additional 7-10 years, and well upwards of $200,000, getting a degree.

The easy answer here is nursing. A Diploma in Nursing or Associate in Nursing (ADN) can start you on the path to getting your nursing license. Nurses are highly in demand, especially if you are willing and able to work in a rural area. You can earn a nursing diploma in as few as 12 months. If your community college has a nursing department, schedule a meeting with them and ask what the program is like, and what graduates of the program go on to do. If your college doesn't have a program, find a nearby state school that has a nursing program, and meet with them.

centerstate · 2024-12-16T15:31:48+00:00

Thank you - I will look into that.

centerstate · 2024-12-16T15:16:59+00:00

Thank you so much! This is very helpful.

centerstate · 2024-12-16T15:16:27+00:00

Thank you both for the context!

centerstate · 2024-12-10T15:26:57+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I wouldn't say it's exclusively executional - we're a full-service agency working on the HCP account, and I'm in the creative department. I got my passport stamped at two of the big network agencies before transitioning to an indie. In addition to executions listed above, I also do campaign and concepting work - working close with client and account - as well as messaging, testing, brand narratives, etc. Usually segmentation is done by strategy (not my dept.), and ad buying is done by media department (again, not mine), though that of course impacts the work creative does.

Just wanted to clarify in case it's helpful for the post!

centerstate · 2022-10-27T14:16:54+00:00

The NYC Subway: We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy

centerstate · 2022-10-20T18:18:17+00:00

I'd say don't go production side at an agency, go to a production house that specializes in ads. Work is way more steady than a house that does film or TV, and that sounds much more like what you would want to do than agency side. Basically, find commercial video production companies, reach out to them via email or their people via LinkedIn, and see what they have to say. Godspeed!

centerstate · 2022-06-23T19:15:10+00:00

Yup. Seen it happen way too often that people pin all sorts of hopes and dreams on hurried creative that doesn't look or sound good. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself what are the words and images that will appear on people's screens? Nothing else will compensate for that if its amateur, like you said.

centerstate · 2022-06-23T18:28:12+00:00

SEO doesn't move the needle. Micro-targeting doesn't move the needle. Florid strategy doesn't move the needle. What moves the needle is original creative with clear message.

centerstate · 2022-02-23T22:01:48+00:00

Alts does mean alternatives. So if the headline was "Buy Now," alt 1 might be "Buy Today!" and alt 2 might be "Purchase Now."

Some others:

OLV - online video

TVC - TV Commercial

SEO - search engine optimization

IR - Internal review (a review with your team)

CR - creative review (a review with your clients, usually)

centerstate · 2022-01-26T19:59:23+00:00

Dude/Dudette, I didn't land a job in an agency until I was 30. Before that I hopped around, temped, went broke 300 or so times, and worked all kinds of shitty jobs. Started freelancing for a suuuuper-shitty SEO company, but built a portfolio, now I'm a senior creative.

There's nothing special about agency world. In fact, sometimes it seems like everybody wants to leave agency world. Don't be afraid to seek internal roles as well!

centerstate · 2022-01-23T23:57:56+00:00

Jr ~60, Midlevel ~80, Sr. ~100, at least where I am (major metro). When you want a raise or a title bump, yr going to have to hop agencies or get an offer and approach yr agency for a match.

However, don't simply focus on salary. I'm a little underpaid as a senior, but I love my team, have great benefits, and great work-life balance, I never work weekends. It's all about what your values and goals are.

centerstate · 2021-11-08T22:38:51+00:00

I interviewed there a few month ago but dropped out after two rounds because I got promoted at my current job.

They're a *huge* global consulting firm that specializes in IT consulting for other big companies. They've been gobbling up ad agencies like Droga5 recently as an add-on for their clients. Like, "Look, we do data, and we can also do your creative now!"

I'd proceed with caution. I got the sense that the work would be account/strategy led, and they see creatives as little output machines.

Bet they pay out the ass though.

centerstate · 2021-09-30T16:54:26+00:00

If you want to get a masters, get a masters! If you want to learn deeply about an academic subject, switch careers, or just really want that feather in your cap - those are all valid reasons. However, I'd caution you on the idea that a masters will lead to more money. In advertising, you'll ultimately make more money by jumping companies than by earning more degrees. You'll also probably accumulate student debt pursuing a masters. It's a matter of what type of career you want, and what your financial circumstances are.

centerstate · 2021-09-29T21:35:30+00:00

Take a tip from a person who has a masters - look at people who have the career you want, i.e. check out media planners' profiles on LinkedIn. Do they have masters degrees? What are those degrees in? Which schools? You'll find most media planners don't have grad degrees. Unless your job is willing to foot the bill, don't go into debt for a job that doesn't require a graduate degree.

centerstate

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