Being Kicked to the Curb

As I approach my 70th?year and having worked in advertising for more than 35 of them (an unlikely place to find a living for anyone over 30, I’m sure), I see many former colleagues trying to find a way forward as they have been kicked to the curb for any number of reasons, including:?

·???????Loss of business by employing agency

·???????Reorganization of an agency recently absorbed by a holding company

·???????Not being cool

·???????Not being cool enough

·???????Failure to be active on Twitter, Snapchat, TikToK, Facebook, the Death Star, etc

·???????Doing one’s job but failing to kiss ass until one passes out

·???????Not being young enough

·???????Being too fucking old

·???????Not getting along

I could go on, but you get the idea. We now have presidents who are well beyond 60 or 70. And if work in advertising takes more skill, knowledge, or understanding than it does to be president of the free world, I must say, advertising people hopelessly overestimate their worth.

We help clients sell stuff. And if you think clicking LIKE on Facebook is selling shit, get a clue. If you think those who are bored or who are crazy brand addicts will GROW your sales curve, you are deluding yourself.

People buy stuff they need, want, or are addicted to. So if you’re not selling opiates, toilet paper, or a ridiculously better whatever, stop wasting time selling to the billions of consumers out there who don’t want your stuff.

Make it clear what you are selling and why someone should buy your product and not the other guys’. It’s not rocket science. It’s not brain surgery. It’s really pretty simple.?

Keep it that way.