Its the beginning of the end of the ‘big agency’. They have done some great work but I always find the majority of the agencies have more admin then talent. Way too top heavy.
Digital has been the radar for a few years….a little late to realize this, as an agency. The beauty in this, is that the digital business is more profitable than traditional media…so, it may be time to invest in staff???
@ David – I think that is the real question. From my understanding, the staff in the company is stretched far beyond their means. Now given the current economic times everyone is asked to make sacrifices, but in the end it’s the clients work who suffers with their needs being neglected.
Hmmmm. Agency does a lot of good work. But is losing accounts and rarely wins pitches. In fact, what are their big account wins? Cue the chirping crickets. Is the problem that they had the wrong staff or they have the wrong people leading and running the company?
Why is it that big agencies are unable to retrain ‘traditional’ agency staff by shifting their individual capabilities towards more digital roles? Knowledge transfer and career development really ought to be a constant for any truly creative and innovative agency. It amazes me to see agencies lay off heaps of people only to replace them with new staff when, if they truly had smart people on board, they should be well able to pivot skillsets as the market shifts. Aren’t creative agencies supposed to be adaptable to the needs of their clients? Isn’t that what agencies are selling? I’m sure that’s in the pitch deck.
When Mr. Leonard says “WE are not afraid to make the change. If WE don’t make it, clients are going to find other answers, so WE’ve just had to look at the work and the scope and modify how WE are set up.” – Who is this ‘WE’ he talks about? Clearly its not staff being asked (or required) to make the change, they’re asked to vacate.
And what is it with agency staff that are unable to evolve their own skills? How is it that there are even “junior- to mid-level” people in “traditional advertising positions?”. Is there still a draw towards traditional media positions for recent grads? If so, that’s truly incredible. By now, it’s pretty clear and obvious that the advertising industry is (and has been for a long long while) rapidly changing. Skill up people.
Second, it’s pretty infuriating to see news of layoffs masked with news of client wins. For the respect of the folks being cut, maybe it would be appropriate to show courtesy and not use this as an opportunity to blow wind in a press release. Layoffs are negative. Spinning it shows a blatant disregard for the people that are being cut. Show some tact.
todd
Its the beginning of the end of the ‘big agency’. They have done some great work but I always find the majority of the agencies have more admin then talent. Way too top heavy.
Saturday, January 21 @ 8:39 pm |
My POV
Digital has been the radar for a few years….a little late to realize this, as an agency. The beauty in this, is that the digital business is more profitable than traditional media…so, it may be time to invest in staff???
Or was this just a way to clean house?
Friday, January 20 @ 1:14 pm |
Grant
@ David – I think that is the real question. From my understanding, the staff in the company is stretched far beyond their means. Now given the current economic times everyone is asked to make sacrifices, but in the end it’s the clients work who suffers with their needs being neglected.
Friday, January 20 @ 10:09 am |
David D. Barlow
Hmmmm. Agency does a lot of good work. But is losing accounts and rarely wins pitches. In fact, what are their big account wins? Cue the chirping crickets. Is the problem that they had the wrong staff or they have the wrong people leading and running the company?
Friday, January 20 @ 9:40 am |
Grant
No accounts lost? they lost 6 accounts in 2011
Friday, January 20 @ 8:35 am |
Joseph
@sam spoken like I guy who has probably never worked for or managed at a high level.
it’s great in theory, not possible in practice.
Thursday, January 19 @ 10:06 pm |
Grant
Well said.
Thursday, January 19 @ 5:15 pm |
Sam
Why is it that big agencies are unable to retrain ‘traditional’ agency staff by shifting their individual capabilities towards more digital roles? Knowledge transfer and career development really ought to be a constant for any truly creative and innovative agency. It amazes me to see agencies lay off heaps of people only to replace them with new staff when, if they truly had smart people on board, they should be well able to pivot skillsets as the market shifts. Aren’t creative agencies supposed to be adaptable to the needs of their clients? Isn’t that what agencies are selling? I’m sure that’s in the pitch deck.
When Mr. Leonard says “WE are not afraid to make the change. If WE don’t make it, clients are going to find other answers, so WE’ve just had to look at the work and the scope and modify how WE are set up.” – Who is this ‘WE’ he talks about? Clearly its not staff being asked (or required) to make the change, they’re asked to vacate.
And what is it with agency staff that are unable to evolve their own skills? How is it that there are even “junior- to mid-level” people in “traditional advertising positions?”. Is there still a draw towards traditional media positions for recent grads? If so, that’s truly incredible. By now, it’s pretty clear and obvious that the advertising industry is (and has been for a long long while) rapidly changing. Skill up people.
Second, it’s pretty infuriating to see news of layoffs masked with news of client wins. For the respect of the folks being cut, maybe it would be appropriate to show courtesy and not use this as an opportunity to blow wind in a press release. Layoffs are negative. Spinning it shows a blatant disregard for the people that are being cut. Show some tact.
Thursday, January 19 @ 5:11 pm |