GenNext

Tools for the Gig Economy

How Web Technology Is Improving Work Life for Free Agents

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 04.17.09 @ 02:30 PM

Kelly Eidson

In the last few months, we've seen the headlines dominated by news of systemic layoffs as agencies shed talent that they can't afford to keep. Some of this talent has forsaken the hope of finding a new job and transitioned into self-employment to become part of the so-called gig economy, where they jump from project to project as a freelancer or consultant. As Martin Bihl noted a few weeks ago, not everyone is cut out for this, but for those who are comfortable swimming in uncertainty and good enough to bring in a living income, they may never look back. Life in the gig economy is getting easier, as emerging web technologies are solving problems for free agents.

Don't Go Back to School for the Wrong Reasons

Graduate Programs Are Great, but Enroll With the Right Expectations

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 03.12.09 @ 02:24 PM

Kelly Eidson

Since the recession started, I've heard from friends who've been laid off or hit a wall with their job search. Suddenly, going back to school is an attractive and seemingly safe way out of that mess. Like clockwork, application rates for graduate programs in every industry go up in downturns, and advertising is no exception.

The Online Watering Hole

If You're Not on Twitter You're Missing Out on a Chance to Help Your Career

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 01.26.09 @ 02:00 PM

Kelly Eidson

Twitter has been covered backward and forward. It has fanatical users, most of whom have blogs where they've expressed their opinions about what Twitter is and why it's special. Twice.

Torrence Boone Talks Talent

Enfatico Chief on Recruitment and Retention

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 11.24.08 @ 11:03 AM

Kelly Eidson

Earlier this month Torrence Boone, CEO of WPP's Enfatico, came to speak for University of Texas' ongoing Thought Leadership in Advertising Lecture Series. He told us about the philosophy of Enfatico and the agency's ideas on where the future of our industry lies.

How to Recruit on Campus

5 Tips for How to Hold an Information Session That's Worth Attending

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 10.01.08 @ 01:57 PM

Kelly Eidson

Around this time in the fall semester, my inbox starts to flood with invitations to interview with organizations that are on campus looking for entry-level hires. I know it's only October and it seems way too early to start courting fresh talent, but like anything else worth having, the best gets snatched up first, so the recruiting hunt starts earlier every year.

Play the Dumb Green Card

We're New to the Industry, and People Expect Us to Ask Questions

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 09.25.08 @ 01:52 PM

Kelly Eidson

While I was in my internship at Ogilvy this summer, I heard Shelly Lazarus (chairman and recently retired CEO of Ogilvy Worldwide) tell the interns that one of the primary reasons she was so successful in the early days of her career was because she played "the Dumb Girl Card." When Shelly started out in the business, there were very few women in offices (let alone advertising agencies) and many men who thought that women weren't smart enough to be there. According to Shelly, any time she asked a question, the men around her would take pity on the "dumb girl" and go to great lengths to answer her questions and explain things in detail. As much as she found it condescending, Shelly learned to use this to her advantage and continued to play the Dumb Girl Card until she knew more than her male peers.

So Much to Learn Before May

Times Are Tough, So We Have to Work Harder

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 09.16.08 @ 04:29 PM

Kelly Eidson

Times are tough in our industry, judging by recent announcements of budget cutbacks and impending agency restructuring. With agencies losing funding in the wake of economic turbulence, aspiring advertising students nearing their entry into the work force are collectively growing worried.

A Follow-Up on Internships

My Summer at Neo@Ogilvy Spurred Serious Growth

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 09.15.08 @ 05:00 AM

Kelly Eidson

I spent my summer in New York City interning at Neo@Ogilvy, the digital media planning and buying arm for Ogilvy & Mather. To pass the time while I waited in the lobby on my first day, I picked up a copy of Ad Age and read the most recent "Ask Brad" column, "How Can I Get the Best Out of My Summer Interns?" offering guidance to agencies on the topic. I didn't know if my experience at Ogilvy would be similar to what Brad outlined, but I sure hoped so.

Wanted: International Experience

Posted by Kelly Eidson on 09.15.08 @ 02:00 AM

Kelly Eidson

In the weeks leading up to the launch of this blog, I have been talking to colleagues and fellow students about their career goals in the industry. Apart from the wanting to master the advertising universe here in the U.S., it seems that a lot of Millennials are looking to work abroad.