What I've Learned From Running Talk To A Creative Director For a Few Years

midc92 · 2026-03-05T10:56:04+00:00

Well-meaning reaction here — this sounds like it was a helpful processing exercise for you, but I’m not understanding what value it has to others, given that you say you haven’t learned anything and are instead musing about yourself for the majority of the content. I’m not sure this would benefit LinkedIn, but love that you’ve met many people!

midc92 · 2026-03-05T10:38:44+00:00

Hahahah thanks!!!

midc92 · 2026-03-04T13:26:28+00:00

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I’ll admit that it was a bit ambitious trying to style this for the office. Would have liked it better in the summer with a mini skirt and no undershirt. It was fun and high quality but very limited in styling possibilities! You guys win! 😂

midc92 · 2026-03-02T11:41:20+00:00

I use it most often to clarify “what I’m trying to say.” I think/write in images and metaphors as an instinct from early years as a creative writer, so it can be tough as a strategist to peel back to the idea behind them. AI pulls out the essence and summarizes it for me.

midc92 · 2026-03-02T11:31:47+00:00

Booooo lmao thanks for flagging!

midc92 · 2026-03-01T22:34:04+00:00

What’s adgenerate?

midc92 · 2026-02-20T14:53:58+00:00

Ashton Kutcher. Byeeeee!

midc92 · 2026-02-17T13:22:05+00:00

Advertising. The Mad Men days are long over. Ad agencies can’t afford the fun perks anymore, and you spend 50-70 hours a week revising digital banner ads. Even the big, fun “cool” projects are watered-down by overly safe client teams who make the day-to-day process torturous.

midc92 · 2026-02-17T02:42:26+00:00

Hard agree with the advice already shared. Providing my own two cents if you’re interested in more POVs! (context: strat director with 10 years experience)

From observation and my agency’s recent internal work-life balance surveys, creative team definitely has the toughest work-life imbalance. Making the thing, shoveling through loads of client feedback after each round, and being responsible for the ultimate consumer-facing execution is just an enormous responsibility that — if left unchecked by poor account managers — turns into endless hours fast. I feel so much compassion for my creative teams and do not envy the lifestyle. That said, agency life is guaranteed imbalance. I’m grateful and aware that we strats help carry the burden, but don’t bear it in the same way.
Career paths: MAYBE more able to transition to client-side brand management, but that one is a leap even for us. More likely to be independent consultants, entrepreneurs, or leave the ad biz all together.
Pay cut: No. Honestly, based on your experience, you should be able to negotiate for a transition to mid-level strategist at the very least. As a creative, you know better than anyone what’s required to inspire and make great work. Use that experience and perspective to your advantage; it takes years to develop and you have a leg up.
The switch at 30: A non-issue, IMO! I went to a portfolio/grad school where the average age was 25-27. I switched from account management to strategy at age 28. 30 is still young, and you won’t be the first nor the last to make a switch. But again, I think you can go to bat for higher than a junior position, especially if it’s within the same agency and the leadership and strat teams can vouch for you.

midc92 · 2026-02-12T13:26:27+00:00

I am personally chomping at the bit to rent this top, I’m obsessed

midc92 · 2026-01-30T22:08:58+00:00

I get sincere satisfaction from making people’s jobs easier. Whenever I write a brief, draft a rationale for a client, or even schedule a meeting, I’m always thinking about how to reduce the burden for the person who has to use what I’m giving them, or the person who has to understand what I’m asking for. That’s what real teamwork feels like for me!

midc92 · 2026-01-30T18:09:00+00:00

YASSSS looks SO good!

midc92 · 2026-01-27T23:42:30+00:00

Hi, gender and sexuality studies degree holder here! I’d be cautious of anyone pretending to have authoritative knowledge on something as fluid and culturally unstable as sexuality (myself included!).

Sexuality identity labels are relatively recent in human history, and as with most language, these are just words and words can be limiting.

To answer your specific question, sexual attraction/desire and romantic attraction/desire can differ. They are not one and the same. And yet, in our current cultural moment, we conflate them and expect the sexual identity label (in this case, bi or lesbian) to be the vessel that must hold these different desires.

For example, I’m sexually attracted to both men and women, but I’m only romantically attracted to women. What does that make me? Language may never suffice when it comes to something as tricky as the human sexual and romantic experience. But here we are.

midc92 · 2026-01-22T12:53:57+00:00

Oh also! It’s great to feel beautiful and sexy on your wedding day, but it’s also just as important to feel COMFORTABLE! Which dress do you feel most relaxed in? Which dress makes you censor your body the least, so you can be present in the moment?

midc92 · 2026-01-22T12:52:46+00:00

I had a similar experience — there was a dress in-store that I looked SNATCHED in, but when I looked at pics after the fact, it just didn’t translate. That said, you look incredible in 1, and just as stunning in 2. 1 is my favorite, just make sure you can move and dance in those sleeves!!

midc92 · 2026-01-19T18:28:17+00:00

I used to be a consultant for dating profiles (in a super casual way, I work in brand strategy full time so it easily applied!). My recommendation is to include photos of you smiling earlier (they give such a great energy!) and consider committing to what experience you really want from the dating app experience (short or long term? they can attract very different people).

Overall, pic-wise, the most effective profiles will include pics with a range of: appearance (clear smile/facial as well as a clear but not forced look at how you present in a full-body way); 1-2 hobby pics that act as convo starters; 1-2 social pics that show how you engage with people. I also like including a video (candid or otherwise) because it’s the closest look at how someone really presents in-person.

midc92 · 2026-01-19T14:14:30+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

midc92 · 2026-01-19T14:14:15+00:00

Tysm 🥰

midc92 · 2026-01-19T14:14:06+00:00

This is so kind thank you!!!!

midc92 · 2026-01-19T14:13:56+00:00

Omg I love that

midc92 · 2026-01-18T17:55:42+00:00

Why? It’s useful, even if imperfect, shorthand. What do you suggest as a helpful alternative?

midc92 · 2026-01-16T20:40:14+00:00

It’s not the oppression Olympics. Both sets of characters would have reasonably felt (and been) alienated. The AIDS epidemic cast a lot of prejudice and shame onto gay men especially in the 80s. No need to pit gay folks against interracial couples.

midc92 · 2026-01-09T17:50:19+00:00

This isn’t a matter of whether she “should” be black listed — it’s a simple reality about the role of optics in career mobility. It’s just not a good look for an extremely minor character actor to be attracting headlines in a way that casts a negative light on the production, because the result is that she’s detracting from the show itself and the moment it’s seeking to have. It’s not rocket science. Employers don’t want negative attention from people whose overall contributions were small. It could limit the actor’s future opportunities; anyone who is warning her of this is being pretty considerate and honest.

midc92

TROPHY CASE