That’s What 3 Said

Sage advice for women just starting their careers in advertising from women who’ve taken the ride

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Anne Nodar Stesney, ACD at Grey NY

When a client actually buys your amazing idea, DO NOT ACT LIKE IT'S A FLUKE. Too many women do this, men rarely do. This false (or real) modesty will not help you. Because if you keep saying "I got lucky" often enough, people will believe that you're all luck and no substance.  Know that you sold great work because you did great work. Own it. I'm not saying go around bragging, just don't go around un-bragging.

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Nancy Vonk, Partner, Swim

We start out assuming the boss knows all about what we accomplish. Shouldn’t he/she? Yes. Of course. But the truth is, they’re spread very thin and focus usually lands on whatever issues are biggest and most urgent. The youngest hire isn’t usually making that list. Make it your business to be well understood. That’s part of managing your career (and nope, no one will be doing that for you). When the boss knows your work, your point of view, who you are…you can avoid the common pitfall of being underestimated. You’ll get rewarded faster, advance faster. Book that coffee. Tell their assistant when they ask what you want, it’s for show and tell. Use time spent bringing the boss up to speed to seek feedback on the work, and your performance. Talk about your goals. Your initiative and ambition will score points. You’ll learn something. And they’ll have all the benefits of knowing your true ability and potential. Nervous about that meeting? Remember, they were in your shoes awhile ago. Your best strategy: be exactly yourself. 

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Jenna Moeller, Art Director

Learn how to present well and have fun doing it. Seeing and listening to creative work is often the best part of the client’s day.

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Invest in those who invest in you.

Coco Videla, Founder of The Village

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Ashley Sommardahl, Director of Student Affairs and Industry Outreach, VCU Brandcenter

Whenever there’s a serious problem at work, go to your supervisor with the perceived problem and a proposed solution. Take the time and effort to do BOTH. It’s so easy to just rattle off complaints, but presenting a proposed solution shows thoughtfulness and maturity. Plus, no one likes a whiner.

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Willow Older, Founder, Making Words Work

Please ask for – and expect to receive — what you’re worth. You know what happens when a writer or editor settles for less than her fair fee? It’s harder for the rest of us to get paid what we deserve. 

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1) Be your own harshest critic. You get the best work that way. 2) Never show the client something you can’t stand behind, even if it is exactly what they’ve asked for. Showing it is a tacit endorsement. And when it doesn’t work, they’ll blame you. 3) Make your own rules.

– Molly F.

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Never grow a wishbone... where a backbone ought to be.

Clementine Paddleford

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When factoring in everybody's perspective, don't forget your own.

Lisa Taylor, Freelance Copywriter, @taylorwriting

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Figure out where you want to be and get yourself there.

MJ Deery, Creative Director, Mekanism

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Nicole Michels McDonagh, ACD, POSSIBLE

Find your voice. Fast. Seems simple enough. But often young creatives fall into the trap of trying to write in the same voice as more senior, award-winning creatives in the agency. Which actually flies in the face of logic because how those award-winning creatives got that way is that they found their own voice. Gravitate to people who recognize your voice, the uniqueness in your work and in your POV, and don’t try to pigeonhole you into an agency culture or mold.

Form a philosophy. This can take some time. And lots of mistakes. But that’s all good. Failure — and hopefully your fair share of success — is how you begin to form a philosophy for your work and for the business as a whole that not only has a personal value to you, but helps take your agency and clients to new levels of success. (As a sidenote, Super Bowl Champion Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll says that forming and living by a professional philosophy was the single biggest turning point that lead to success in his career and being at the top of his game. Literally.)

Know how to survive in the wild. Sometimes you’ll be the only woman in the room. Sometimes you’ll be one of twelve women in a room. Both pose unique challenges. Either way, you gotta rock it.

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Don’t worry so much about being a female or a lady or whatever. Just find people you like to work with and do your best. Work hard and come up with ideas you are proud of and have fun. Don’t work for people who make you feel like shit (male or female). Life’s too short for that.

Roz Romney, Freelance Creative Director/Art Director

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That half-baked idea that you have in the back of your head. Don’t keep it to yourself—because we’re the ones who are going to (continue to) change the world. Be the biggest baller in the room, because if you do your best work, treat people with respect and disregard ‘rules’, you ARE the biggest baller.

Leesa Wytock, VP, Head of Creative Technology, Jack Morton Worldwide

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Kate Walters, Director of Strategy and Planning, DDB California

A really smart person once told me that in your 20s and 30s, you should work to develop breadth in your advertising career. Learn absolutely everything you can. Have many diverse experiences. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Be a generalist. By the time you hit 40, you want to be in a position where all the choices you have about where to take your career are good ones. In other words, when you’re just starting out, don’t worry about the end game. Focus on learning. 

To that, I’d add:

Don’t ask permission. Don’t apologize for anything that’s not actually your fault.

Trust yourself. You’re probably right.

If you’re not learning, it’s time to change jobs. Always be mindful of what you are learning from your bosses and colleagues (even if what you’re learning is what not to do, or how not to behave.) Everyone has something to teach you.

Thank everyone. Be genuine in doing so.

Respectfully call people out on their bullshit. This is how you earn trust and respect and demonstrate your strength of character.

Be ethical. Your reputation is everything and this is a small industry.

Some things are worth fighting for and others are not. Learn the difference and you’ll be happier at work and in life.

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Nikki Lott, Senior Copywriter, Firehouse

Respect your seniors, ACDs, CDs, GCDs and ECDs. If you work at a place where you don’t respect them, find a new place. They will make you better.

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Amy Petrolati, former Production Artist/Manager, current Designer/Art Director, Duncan/Channon