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Breaking into advertising—and thriving—requires a balance of creativity, adaptability and a mastery of the fundamentals. Industry executives Tim Weil, chief creative and strategy officer at BMG360; Lisa Hurst, chief client officer for Amp Agency; and Andrés Ordóñez, FCB’s global chief creative officer share hard-won lessons to help the next generation navigate the advertising industry’s challenges and opportunities.

BMG360’s Weil highlights the critical connection between creative and strategy. “Your media strategy and your creative strategy must be born together, optimized together and always aligned,” Weil said on a recent episode.

For early-level professionals, understanding how strategy informs creative—and vice versa—sets you apart. Success comes when strategy and creative are inseparable components of a campaign. Strategists should inspire art directors and copywriters with clear, actionable guidance, while creatives must lean into strategy, staying proactive and informed about cultural shifts, trends and audience behaviors.

“Bridge the gap between strategy and creative,” Weil advised. “It’s this collaboration that drives measurable, impactful results.”

Amp Agency’s Hurst believes strong marketing principles are timeless. “The fundamentals of getting to a great idea, of brand building, haven’t changed. What’s different is where, how and when we connect with the consumer,” she said on the Dec. 17 episode of the podcast.

While trends in tools and platforms come and go, a foundation built on consumer understanding, cultural insight and strong storytelling will never lose relevance.

“Know your brand. Understand the problem it solves and the audience you’re addressing,” Hurst explained. “Once those basics are clear, trends and emerging formats will only amplify your work.”

Ordóñez champions the value of overlooked assignments. Early in his career, the FCB executive took on briefs others avoided and turned them into portfolio standouts. “No one goes for the ugly one. If you turn something that no one thought could be so great into something great, you prove you can create magic,” he argued on the Dec. 19 episode.

For young creatives, tackling “ugly briefs” or less glamorous projects can prove your value and sharpen your skills. Look for neglected assignments or tight-turnaround opportunities that others avoid, and show initiative by transforming them into wins.

“Big breaks come from small chances,” said Ordóñez. “Take the opportunity.”

Talent matters, but relationships can make or break your career. Connect with mentors, peers and pros who inspire you and ask questions, offer value and stay curious. Many aspiring advertising professionals make the mistake of sending out mass connection requests to agency and brand professionals or applying indiscriminately to numerous jobs. Instead, identify three to five agencies you admire and pinpoint specific individuals within those organizations.

The right relationships will open doors and help you grow faster. “When I decided to move from the client side to the agency side, I partnered with some of my agency resources. They shared what the day-to-day looked like, and I got to live the experience. That helped me make the shift,” Hurst shared.

Building your network isn’t just about who will help you, but how you can help someone else. Aim for long-term relationships and be open to finding opportunities for others.

As Weil put it, “It’s all about connections. I had a connection that got me the interview, and I interviewed well. It’s important to pay it forward because I’ve had breaks from people along the way, and as you get older, it’s important to return the favor.”

Want more advice straight from the pros? Listen to Tim Weil, Lisa Hurst and Andrés Ordóñez on “Breaking and Entering Advertising” streaming on Spotify. Learn what it takes to break in and thrive.

About Breaking and Entering Media

Breaking and Entering Media is a leading platform dedicated to helping everyone better understand and break into the advertising world. Whether aspiring advertisers landing their first job, agencies winning their dream clients or production companies connecting with top agencies, Breaking and Entering bridges the gap and helps people pull off their ultimate “heist” in the industry. Founded in 2020, it quickly became a top resource for industry insights, strategies and expert advice. Consistently ranked as one of the top five advertising podcasts globally, Breaking and Entering exists to tell the stories that break down the advertising industry and empower its audience to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.