Tales from Real Life: When your Ad Agency turns into a cult.

At one time in my life, I worked at an ad agency for a shit load of years. I never really thought I was going to leave, honestly. As you all know, I felt at some point like it was my home, those people were my family, yada yada yada. It took something drastic to happen in my life and suddenly I realized that by working at the same place, with the same people (all of my coworkers actually had a decent amount of years there as well), I felt I never grew. I just got stuck there and went on living, instead of wanting to switch it around a bit. People; I learned later in life, need change. Change is good, like Obama would like me to say.

So I packed my boxes of shit and left town. Best thing that ever happened to me. Why? I stopped drinking the Kool Aid. By doing that, I met new people along the way, including the most awesome friend a gal can have, the Joker man. I got to see another point of view about work, creativity, team work, clients, egos... I had epiphany about that fridge that scared the shit out of me.

Most importantly, by moving around I got the balls to leave all of them behind, get as much dough I had (and mom helped a little as well) and opened up a little office near the beach. I bet my life on that move and it worked out. Awesome.

So why am I giving you all this bullshit past story? Well, as a former cult following ad agency drone, I did escape. I ran like hell out of there.

But, just recently I met a couple of friends of mine who are still at Jonestown, if you know what I mean. They're still there, swirling that big bucket of Fruit Punch flavored liquid... and I just look at them and wonder when they will finally try to run.

You know who they are, because ALL OF US KNOW THEM.

They mingle outside the office and have drinks on the weekends. They celebrate their own birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs, circumcisions, divorces; but you never really see them with another set of friends that are not of the agency. They have been at that cublicle for 12 years. 15 years. They can name every IT dude that has worked there. They remember when a huge group of people got fired on "that dark Friday". These are some of the examples that might give you an idea of what I'm saying, but there is one that will drive it home.

They cannot remember working at any other ad agency. One is because that was the first one they ever worked there. Two may be because once they switched, they stayed there forever. Holy shit. Bring out the planes, people. We have many people that we need to save!

Look. I'm not saying that longevity is a bad thing. Everybody knows that handing out a resume which includes long years of working at one place means you are reliable and a good worker. Having way too much ad agencies down your belt equals... well, you're a loose cannon. Something happened, maybe you tried to hit the Traffic director on the ovaries or you spit on the Creative Director while telling him where to shove his revision... who knows.

But when it goes a little too far... then the shit hits the fan. You become one of "those" people who never leave. You become the institution. And trust me, from one former institution, I am not kidding... there is nothing good that comes of it.

I've talked to former bosses who know they have employees by the balls because by being there for so much time, they know that they will never leave, hence no raises, no bigger bonuses... and the worst part is? Since they know you will never leave, they will never can you. Yep! You heard it here. The plan is for YOU to quit at some point. The only real moment that they might actually try to fire you is when they really need money and well, just paying you off will save them money at the end. But this is really a last choice. The plan will always be to let you rot there until you can't take it no more.

So... honestly, will you?

As one enslaved ad person who left and found light at the end of the tunnel... I beg of you. Wake up. Stop drinking that shit and open your eyes. There are ad agencies out there who WILL take you. You WILL get more creative. You WILL get inspired again. You WILL enjoy going to work, at least until it lasts (no ad agency in the history of mankind will make you happy). By meeting new people and interacting with them you WILL expand your point of view about everything. Your quality of life. What you want out of your career. You will even surprise yourself, because maybe when you hop from one agency to another, you realize what you really want to do with your life.

I hope this inspires you in some way. The road of life is more interesting when you take a few left and rights!

Taking a Lennon line and twisting it a little...

All we are saying... is give change a chance.

Much love. Me.