If 40 is the new 30 and 50 is the new 40, are we aging out some of the best talent and creative and strategic minds in our industry simply because of a number?
A recent survey from the nonprofit Transamerica Institute found that more than a third (35%) of employers thought that someone 58 years old was “too old” to hire. Additionally, when asked at what age someone would be considered “too old” to work, 35 percent of employers picked 62 years old as the median age.
This struck me with new outrage this week, as I was fortunate enough as a previous nominee to be asked to judge Campaign’s 40 over 40 awards again this year.
What an impressive group - so many stories of individual achievements to celebrate.
But the list should also spotlight in our industry the invaluable contributions and potential of senior professionals as a cohort which are too often overlooked. As we all work hard to dismantle discrimination and prejudice of all kinds, ageism is all too often silently accepted and tolerated - it is high time for it to stop.
What comes with age and experience counts a great deal. I firmly believe that one’s power and creativity grows over time, along with resilience, increased wisdom, grace and perspective. It was inspiring to see that so many of the nominees were so driven by - and spurred on by - their wider impact in their organizations and in culture, beyond their own personal gains. Their grace and generosity with their time and ideas was beyond inspiring to witness through their applications.
As Heather Tinsley-Fix, senior adviser for AARP’s Employer Pledge Program says: “Experienced workers bring a wealth of valuable human skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, as well as high levels of engagement, motivation and professionalism — and these qualities don’t have an expiration date.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Please join me in congratulating the 2024 class of 40 over 40!
#campaign40over40 #creativeindustry #marketing
Alison Weissbrot, Heather Tinsley-Fix, Joe Baratelli, Singleton Beato, Nadja Bellan-White (she/her/ella), Ariti Bhansali, Kathy Bloomgarden, Allen Bosworth (he, him, his), Jeffrey L. Bowman, the fabulous and lovely Anibal Casso, Allison Ceraso, Jo Cronk, Aubree Curtis, Robert Drury, Mike Dubrick, Janine Dugre, the wonderful Brett Edgar, Luke Eid, Missy Foristall, Neil Frauenglass, Christine Fruechte, @kim granito, Jabari Hearn, Emily Heyward, Megan Jones, Eric Kallman, Sarah Kramer, Cristina Lawrence, Victoria Lozano, Alexis Luerssen, Sean McBride, Ramaa Mosley, Suzanne Powers, Jill Ong, Jenny Penich, Brian Rappaport, Jaclyn Ruelle, Phil Schraeder, Evin Shutt, Assaf Swissa, Grace Teng, Tyler Turnbull, Oved Valadez
