Do Unto Others

In the advertising industry, Boston is not a big city. In comparison to cities like New York or San Francisco, it can feel very small. With that, almost all of us who have been part of this industry for several years have probably cross pollinated to other shops as well have worked with several of the same people over time. I've always loved this sense of community and have always been really proud to be part of an industry that fosters and embraces uniqueness, breaks down barriers and just has some of the coolest people you'd want to spend your days with.

And for all those reasons, it's exactly why I am incredibly saddened and bothered by the recent showing of fangs from some people towards their own. An agency, well known in Boston, lost a client. A big one. (Anyone who doesn't have their head in the sand knows who this is...and what happened on Agency Spy in the comments section is what propelled me to write this).  It affected a lot of really smart, creative, talented, decent people. Some of these people I have known for years. Others, I have known of by name and reputation. All I know is this. Losing a client and forcing folks out of a job because revenue has been ripped from you is devastating. So, for some to take to social media and slam each other, call certain people out by name (while hiding anonymously behind a pseudonym) is just plain cowardly and wrong.

Look, we live in an imperfect world. There are some really bad people who do lousy things. I, just like you, have worked with some of them through the years. But to drag someone, who is already down, embarrassed and scared, through the mud, is inexcusable. These folks need jobs to take care of themselves and their families. Not deal with this type of nonsense.

My suggestion. Be a bigger person. Instead of shouting vitriol or pointing fingers of blame, reach out and help your fellow industry friends in finding their next new gig. You just might need their help one day, in return.