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Authors note
Welcome to the 7th annual Planning Survey Report. I have just completed my freshman year as head of planning at StrawberryFrog Amsterdam. I survived! But more than that, I thrived. This year had many significant milestones: I had the chance to put on a workshop at Cannes with my strategy cohorts in the New York and So Paulo ponds (thanks for the wonderful experience Ole and Patricia!), I was asked to judge the Festival of Media awards in Montreux, Switzerland, and I attended the digital conference at SXSW which led me back home to Texas. I have spent more than 30 days in Dubai learning a new culture and building something truly incredible with a new client. I was in New York for two weeks preparing for a crucial client workshop and was so thrilled to see the collaboration of one team across two different offices come to fruition. Probably the most rewarding aspect of the past year has been developing my team. I have three of the best planners in the world and as I reflect, I cant believe how much we have been able to accomplish in the past 12 months together. And Ive had the privilege to work with a few hired guns who have taught me a thing or two about strategy, life and the Dutch language along the way. Im in a reflective mood because I have asked all of you to be reflective. And there were a hell of a lot of you who spoke up. This is the first year the survey has crossed over 2,000 respondents. The final tally was 2,113. Incredible. This year we take a closer look at the younger planners with a special focus on students, interns and junior planners. You are about to dive into the definitive source of information on planners and strategists around the world. But it wouldnt exist without you answering the questions and my brilliant team of FIVE helpers. Please show them some love by following them all on Twitter. As always, thank you for playing. Heather
Table of Contents
Overview Emotions about our jobs Career path Students, Interns and Junior Planners A note on salaries Salary Results US Salary Results Brazil Salary Results UK Freelance Open-ended responses Closing thoughts 4 8 10 11 14 15 26 33 46 46 52
Overview
2011
USA:909 TheRest:1204
2113
completed surveys
54%
46%
1578
USA:532 TheRest:685
completed surveys
1217
completed surveys
500
1000
1500
2000
Where do we work?
Full-service Agency 58% Digital Agency 11% Other 5% Freelance/Self Employed 5% Creative Boutique 4% Unemployed 2% Multi-cultural Agency 2% Media Agency 2% Direct Agency 1% Client Side 1%
Numbers dont always add up to 100 percent due to rounding.
2% 2%
Brand Consultancy 3% -
Student 5% - may also intern, first time adding this choice Intern 1% - but not in school, first time adding this choice
Unemployed
Surprisingly, there are 34 people out of work this year which is the exact same number as last year. However, divided by the larger group of 2,113 respondents, that brings the overall unemployment down from, 2.1% to 1.6%. There has also been a shift toward fewer months unemployed, a sign that there is healthy demand for people. Unemployment is more of a needed break than anything else.
months
2%
NEW
1% 1% 2%
Regional Planning Director (You look after several countries but not the whole world) Director of Planning / Head of Planning (this may be the highest role in your company or just your office location) Group Planning Director (You look after several pieces of business, but you still have someone more senior to you, your title may be "Planning Director")
15%
19%
Senior Planner
22%
Planner
25%
Assistant Planner
5%
4%
34%
4%
22%
3%
38%
4% 5
Caucasian - 74% Asian/Pacific Islander - 10% Hispanic - 10% Other - 9% Black/African American - 3% Native American - 1%
Age
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Unknown
28%
44%
20%
4%
5%
ep
3-5
ar
11-15
tm
21-30
ent
0 departments over 20 people in Brazil 20+ size departments mostly found in the USA and London 30+
8%
2
28%
6-10
11%
16-20
6%
11%
23%
6%
8%
Strong planners
In your opinion, which one agency has the strongest planning group?
Don't Know
25% 14% 6%
5%
20% 9% 6%
5%
1%
2%
6%
1%
W+K is on top of the world right now and some of our favorites are slipping. I'm still waiting for the new star to emerge.
How much do you like your Hate it - 1% current job? Dont like it - 7% Like it - 36% Really like it - 38% Love it - 19% How likely are you to Not at all likely - 29% change jobs this year? Somewhat unlikely - 20% 4% Neither likely or unlikely - 16% Somewhat likely - 21% Very likely - 14% 4% How long have you 6 months or less - 22% worked at your current company? 1 year - 27% 8% (Round to the closest number) 2 years - 16% 3 years - 12% 4 years - 7% 5 years or more - 16% 2%
NO 63%
YES 37%
45%
38% 32%
11%
8% 3%
1%
every day
weekly
monthly
few times a
every day
weekly
monthly
few times a
47%
43%
26%
12%
13%
13%
9%
54%
15%
8%
15%
53%
31%
I am already on ex-pat
18%
18%
14%
Career Path 33% of us went straight into planning. The other 67% got their start in a number of interesting places. Lots in accounts,
creative, media and PR but here are some of my favorites:
DJ
you rprised cus (su counts!) ir Ran a c o into ac 't g didn
B onjour
farmin
g/hyd
raulic
s spe
cialist
transl
barber
rch sc resea ientist
ator
archaeologist
arch itec t
ballet
dance
badmin
ton tra
iner
code monkey
40% 17%
21%
3%
10%
PLANNER
10
Students (n=108)
This was the first year that students were able to participate in the survey. 109 students from all over the world found the survey, but the schools with the most participants all have some connection to me either I attended (University of Texas) or I have been a teacher or guest speaker. I look forward to seeing more students from places like HyperIsland and Boulder Digital Works enter our work force.
Where did you go?
56%
false
44%
true
Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA The University of Texas at Austin VCU Brandcenter Miami Ad School
I am currently interning
Perhaps I shouldnt be, but I was surprised to see that location was the number one factor in choosing a school. The program and its reputation were also reasons, of course, and were mentioned almost as much as location.
W&K; Goodby, Silverstein & Partners; DDB; BBH; AKQA. Still many of the usual suspects in the agency world, but themes emerged of students seeking experience in digital communications and preferring to find a smaller company to call home.
100
80
60
85%
agencies
40
20
want to work
17%
client-side
11
Interns (among the students above and the people who are just interning) (n=73)
Compensation 74% are financially compensated for their work. The sample is quite small, but to give you an idea of what interns are paid per month:
# of internships
% of interns
1 2 3 4 5+
How did you find your internship? Through my own effort contacting the company Through my school
12
I had to meet a lot of people and knock on doors, but everything worked out: No problems, this job was waiting for me upon graduation:
24%
completely
46%
not really
Take a wild guess - where will your career in planning go? (more than one answer possible)
Head of Planning:
33% 18%
19%
53%
How long do you expect to be a junior planner?
38%
8%
1%
1 year
2 years
3 years
3+ years
13
Salary Results
First off, just a reminder, I am talking about annual salaries on the following pages. Second, Id like to comment on what youre about to see. The numbers indicate that the typical lifespan of a planner is 10-14 years. Perhaps you can stick it out a bit longer if you go global. So are planners growing up and getting out after 12 years? The top UK folks for instance might have 20+ years work experience, but their planning years have a ceiling of about 12. Interesting. At the same time, we just saw that 46% of junior planners see themselves rising to Head of Planning along their career path. One top planner I spoke to reacted to that figure expecting them to be disappointed, thinking that there are not likely enough positions to go around. Perhaps there are if the ride only lasts a few years. Anecdotally, I know many Heads of Planning who went on to freelance, start their own businesses and/or have families. Given what Dan Pink tells us in his book Drive, we are most motivated by autonomy, mastery and purpose. And I can see how a Head of Planning spot will provide that challenge and freedom at first. But its in our nature to grow accustomed to our situation. Most people Ive known at this level are pretty smart and keeping them challenged is, well, challenging.
14
15
type of agency and no. within who took survey max. salary in group
Total 82
$72K
$57,195
upper quarter
1.7
5.2
$44,499
1.3 3.7
average
$33,045
1
min. salary in group Small & Tiny 18
3.2
lower quarter
$28K
Medium 19 Large 39
$58,275
1.8 5.2
$66,500
1.3 2.9
$51,600
2 3.8
$46,589
1.3 4.8
$44,732
1.2 2.9
$44,281
1.4 3.6
$36,125
0.8 5.3
$29,025
1.1 2.8
$36,270
1 2.3
$39,067
1.2 3.4
$38,219
1.5 2.7
$43,036
1.6 3.3
$42,334
1.6 3.7
$43,197
1.3 3.7
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
16
Total 184
$128K
$86,674
3.6 7.7
$64,395
2.8 5.7
$44,274
2.4 4
$19,550
Medium 59
Large 62
$88,904
2.9 6.8
$87,281
4.4 9.1
$81,000
2.6 7.2
$67,046
2.9 5.6
$67,542
3.2 6.5
$61,473
2.4 4.6
$45,542
2.7 5.3
$49,183
2.4 4.7
$43,785
2 3.3
$60,311
2.6 4.9
$58,476
2.6 5.3
$61,684
3.1 5.4
$58,573
2.9 4.9
$57,671
2.7 4.5
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
17
Total 180
$210K
$134,995
6.1 11
$98,689
5.1 9.3
$68,822
4 7.6
$50K
Medium 68
Large 52
$141,385
5.5 12.4
$135,821
5.3 10
$133,942
6.4 11.9
$100,745
4.9 9.3
$98,721
4.7 8.5
$97,098
5.4 9.3
$67,231
4.1 9.3
$67,844
3.2 6.2
$69,500
5 8.5
$94,347
5.9 9.9
$104,084
6.0 9.7
$96,590
5.9 9.8
$101,154
5.9 9.8
$100,200
5.6 9.8
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
18
Total 188
$400K
$246,461
12.7 17.7
$167,904
9 14.2
$99,682
6 11.8
$46,500
Small & Tiny 41 Medium 50 Large 94
$200,000
9.4 12.7
$263,458
13 14.6
$250,120
12.6 18.5
$136,744
7.5 12.1
$175,616
9.1 13.8
$177,653
9.5 14.9
$77,825
5.4 9.9
$109,827
7.4 12.8
$117,725
6 11.4
$157,310
9.9 13.7
2006
$163,382
9.7 14.2
2007
$168,879
9.2 14.7
$166,546
9.8 14.5
$166,469
9.9 15.1
2008
2009
2010
19
Total 103
$510K
One rock star is making nearly double this top salary. Took them out to make numbers representative.
$324,423
14.1 18.4
$207,832
11.6 17.8
$106,447
7.8 15.2
$58K
Medium 23
Large 18
$324,727
10.7 16.1
$347,000
15.2 20
$391,000
16.6 21.4
$184.500
9.7 16.2
$231,283
13.4 19.9
$256,667
12.6 18.6
$95,091
5.9 13.2
$146,600
11.8 19.6
$125,000
8.6 15.8
$172,188
11.1 15.3
2006
$167,421
9.3 15.8
$181,159
10.3 15.9
2008
$197,643
11.0 17.2
2009
$193,198
10.9 17
2007
2010
20
Total 10
$552,500
$370,667
11.3 17.6
$225,900
10 15.9
$125,667
7 11.3
$100,000
Small & Tiny 2 Medium 3 Large 4
$270,000
18.5 21.5
$190,000
10 19
$172,500
7.5 15
21
Global Planning Director, Global Head of Planning / Chief Strategy Officer, CEO results - USA
CEO 10
$425K
$450K
$800,000
$328,333
12 18.3
$341,667
16 21.6
$510,000
13.3 22
$246,818
13.6 18.6
$233,182
11 17.4
$272,400
15.6 22.8
$175,000
10.6 12.6
$130,000
4 13.6
$106,333
12 17.6
$155K
$115K
$74,000
22
Location
Salaries are not clearly linked to cost of living but there are certainly more planning gigs in the obvious places.
MINNEAPOLIS Asst. Planners (5) : $39,480 Planners (6) : $68,750 Sr. Planners (10) : $73,500 Group Planning Directors (8) : $158,375 Heads of Planning (11) : $146,727 BOSTON Asst. Planners (5) : $42,200 Planners (9) : $62,722 Sr. Planners (7) : $94,600 Group Planning Directors (6) : $128,333 Heads of Planning (0)
SAN FRANCISCO Asst. Planners (8) : $53,125 Planners (16) : $67,594 Sr. Planners (16) : $130,895 Group Planning Directors (12) : $178,302 Heads of Planning (9) : $220,242
LOS ANGELES Asst. Planners (16) : $42,893 Planners (18) : $63,958 Sr. Planners (17) : $97,389 Group Planning Directors (8) : $165,063 Heads of Planning (8) : $248,250
NEW YORK Asst. Planners (18) : $46,921 Planners (52) : $63,783 Sr. Planners (54) : $102,460 Group Planning Directors (86) : $184,746 Heads of Planning (26) : $240,889 CHICAGO Asst. Planners (9) : $46,622 Planners (24) : $68,584 Sr. Planners (27) : $95,286 Group Planning Directors (44) : $162,057 Heads of Planning (7) : $367,429
23
TEXAS Asst. Planners (4) : $35,750 Planners (11) : $59,341 Sr. Planners (11) : $96,361 Group Planning Directors (10) : $121,200 Heads of Planning (3) : $194,167
Gender - USA
36
45
$44,154
1.3
66
$44,782
1.4 4.3
117
Assistant Planners
2.9
$67,210
Planners
$63,326
2.9
108
2.8
79
5.9
5.6
$100,681
Senior Planners
$97,238
5.3
98
4.9
9.3
100
9.1
$174,957
Group Planning Directors
$160,780
9.7 14.6
42
8.5
13.7
59
$208,352
Heads of Planning
$207,076
12 18.7
11.1 16.8
24
Beyond the US
We had 1,145 completed surveys from the rest of the world. 17 new countries participated for the first time. The colored areas are a rough representation of the Planning Surveys reach.
Afghanistan: Argentina: Australia: Austria: Belgium: Bulgaria: Brazil: Canada: China: Columbia: Costa Rica: Croatia: Czech Republic: Denmark: Dominican Republic: Ecuador: El Salvador: Finland: France: Germany: Greece: Hungary: India: Indonesia:
1 28 62 1 4 1 255 69 25 9 1 2 2 7 1 2 1 2 44 45 5 2 29 12
Ireland: Israel: Italy: Japan: Malaysia: Mexico: Netherlands: New Zealand: Nigeria: Northern Ireland: Norway: Pakistan: Panama: Peru: Philippines: Portugal: Romania: Russian Federation: Saudi Arabia: Singapore: Slovenia: South Africa: Spain: Sri Lanka:
6 5 11 10 10 12 40 9 3 1 3 4 1 4 2 17 11 6 4 23 1 20 43 1
17 8 1 1 5 11 227 1 7
25
The increase in salaries in Brazil over last year is the biggest jump this survey has ever seen. After talking it over with a few people, it seems that the combination of increased demand for planners, especially with more digital work, as well as rising inflation has raised salaries dramatically on average. If youre in Brazil and havent seen a raise in the last year, take a close look at these numbers.
26
type of agency and no. within who took survey max. salary in group
Total 51
R$392K R$171,362
3.6
(really??)
7.8
R$72,104
4.2 8.3
R$18,726
3.3
min. salary in group
7.5
R$6K
Medium 4
Large 15
R$117,500
3 5.5
R$30,325
6 11.3
R$69,258
3.6 7.2
R$33,667
5.3 8.3
R$20,449
4 8.4
R$40,725
3.5 7.6
R$8,875
1.4 4
R$23,763
1.8 4.2
R$24,492
1.9 3.9
2009
2010
27
Total 57
R$420K R$256,854
7.1 13
R$104,377
4.3 8.8
R$19,379
3.4 7.2
R$12K
Medium 7
Large 15
R$245,619
7.4 12.4
R$26,875
3.8 6.3
R$131,522
4.6 9.5
R$40,640
2.4 5.2
R$20,087
3.4 7.1
R$53,078
3.3 6
R$13,600
1 3
R$49,500
3 6.7
2009
R$49,016
2.9 6.4
2010
28
Total 47
R$520K
R$277,175
5.6 10
R$122,736
4.7 8.6
R$27,100
3.8 7.8
R$10.8K
Medium 12
Large 14
R$374,288
6.5 11.5
R$166,667
2.7 6.3
R$197,555
8.3 11.7
R$165,823
4.2 8.9
R$74,108
3.2 8
R$95,190
6.4 8.8
R$31,460
2.3 6.8
R$15,100
4.3 8
R$28,867
6.5 7.8
R$101,512
5.1 10.6
R$88,209
5.2 9.6
2009
2010
29
Total 31
R$545K
R$269,968
4 6.1
R$109,572
4.5 9.9
R$24,274
5.1 13.6
R$17K
Medium 4
Large 17
R$328,436
3.3 5.5
R$116,775
3.2 7.1
R$81,425
7.5 13.7
R$121,084
4 9.4
R$25,773
6.3 14
R$156,880
6.9 11.1
R$184,663
6.8
2010
12
2009
30
Total 24
R$600K
R$308,389
6.8 11.2
R$133,446
4.8 8.6
R$38,943
3.7 6.4
R$19.5K
Medium 4
Large 2
R$287,584
4.4 7.5
R$130,693
4.5 7.8
R$122,375
5.4 11
R$285,000
3 5.5
R$46,040
6.8 9.8
R$283,427
7.5 15.3
R$215,589
7.1 14.1
2009
2010
31
Gender - Brazil
30
21
R$62,510
R$85,810
Assistant Planners
3.7
33
7.7
4.9
24
R$119,535 Planners
R$83,535
4.8
27
9.2
3.7
14
8.1
R$142,927
4.1
22
5.6
9
9.4
R$112,454
4.4
14
9.7
4.8
10.2
10
Heads of Planning
R$119,681
R$152,716
3.7
6.5
9.6
32
Salary Results - UK
33
type of agency and no. within who took survey max. salary in group
Total 22
34,000 30,560
upper quarter
1.3
2.5
23,491
average
0.9
2.8
18,400
lower quarter
1.1
min. salary in group
3.6
18,000
Medium 5
Large 10
26,000
1 4
32,266
2 2.5
30,433
1.2 3.2
21,735
0.8 2.9
59,667
0.9 2.8
23,013
0.9 2.8
18,800
0.5 2
19,571
0.9 3
18,250
2 3
24,072
1.6 2.8
37,250
2.8 5.6
2009
2010
34
Planner results - UK
Total 58
50,000 48,300
3.8 6.6
36,008
2.8 4.9
24,602
2.2 4.3
17,000
Medium 20
Large 13
45,763
4 6.5
50,416
3.8 8.8
50,409
3.8 6.8
35,680
2.8 5
36,304
2.8 4.9
36,657
2.9 4.9
22,803
1.8 3.9
29,538
2.3 3.8
22,633
1.8 2.3
36,584
3.2 4.9
37,250
2.8 5.6
2009
2010
35
Total 52
246K 96,385
6.5 12.3
66,000
5.9 10.3
41,000
5.2 10.2
18K
Medium 14
Large 13
88,250
6.5 11.8
85,150
5.7 11.8
82,250
4.1 15.3
66,000
5.9 10.3
65,696
6 10.3
61,781
5.9 10.2
39,364
5.6 11
44,200
6.2 12.2
46,000
5.1 11
56,081
5.3 9.5
63,711
5.2 8.8
2009
2010
36
Total 38
135K 119,334
12.9 17.3
89,329
9.6 13.4
62,111
4.5 7.5
44.5K
87,857
9.9 17.7
2009
87,842
9 13.7
2010
37
Total 36
250K 164,444
16.2 20.1
107,597
11 18.3
62,167
5.4 14.6
49.5K
38
Total 7
200K 193,500
25 27.5
121,714
10.8 19
80,000
12.5 17.5
70K
39
Total 6
200K 182,500
14 16.5
135,833
13.6 18.3
85,000
12.5 20
70K
40
Gender - UK
13
23,491
1
40
23,014
1
18
Assistant Planners
2.8
2.9
29,538
Planners
36,042
2.8
19
2.3
33
3.8
4.9
66,000
Senior Planners
62,357
5.8 10.2
22
5.9
10.3
16
89,329
Group Planning Directors
88,349
10.7 15.2
10
10.7 14.7
26
109,257
Heads of Planning
101,280
10.2 18
11.2 18.3
41
42
Sr. Planner 10
$100K
$180K
$39,353
0.8 1
$73,737
average
$118,500
4.4 12
2.6
6.5
$53K
Head of Planning 17
$70K
Regional Planning Director 3
$250K
$400K
$187,500
6.6 13.6
$160K
$215,882
10.5 17.9
$70K
$205,000
17 20.7
Canada (Canadian $)
Asst. Planner 14 Planner 13 Sr. Planner 14
$55K
$110K
$150K
$43,671
1.1 3.5
$71,997
2.3 5.8
$92,871
4.4 9.9
$28K
Group Planning Director 10
$45K
Head of Planning 13
$55K
$275K
$250K
$133,000
7.1 13.8
$85K
$163,077
7.9 13.5
$110K
43
France ( Euro)
Asst. Planner 6 Planner 13 Sr. Planner 7
33K
51K
80K
28,333
1.3 3.3
36,562
2.3 4.1
61,286
6.3 8.7
27K
Group Planning Director 7
29.8K
30K
120K
86,429
9.9 14
60K
Germany ( Euro)
Asst. Planner 9 Planner 11 Sr. Planner 8
42K
70K
95K
31,978
1 3.2
43,655
3.7 5.6
65,750
7.4 8.5
27K
Group Planning Director 3
32K
Head of Planning 8
46K
Regional Planning Director 3
160K
75,267
9 10
106,000
10.9 14.9
60K
160,000
14.3 15.3
44
40K
70K
100K
32,360
2.1 3.5
53,693
3.6 8.3
58,638
5.5 8.8
25.6K
Group Planning Director 5
34K
Head of Planning 9
36K
140K
144K
92,400
6.2 11.6
114,889
11.7 15.6
80K
65K
45
Freelancers
How many freelance planners are currently employed by your company, in your office location?
64% Don't know: 13% One: 13% Two: 5% Three: 2% Four: 1% Five: 1%
More than 10:
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$40,250
0.9 3.8
$33K
$43,375
3.4 3.4
$19.5K
$109,167
9.3 15.7
$90K
14
$138,000
9.6 17.9
8. $1500/day 9. $800/day 10. $200/hr 11. $1500/day 12. $100/hr 13. $1200-$1500/day 14. $160/hr
$23K
12
$190,848
15.2 20.1
$90K
6. $1500/day 7. $350-$500/hr 8. $150/hr 9. $100/hr, $125/hr moderating 10. $2500/day 11. $200/hr 12. $120/hr
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Open-ended responses
I know one of the most compelling reasons to read this report is the salary information. We are all curious if we are being paid fairly. But I find one of the most intriguing things about working on this survey project is the richness I get out of understanding the vast diversity within our discipline. Diversity in terms of what we do, where we come from, and how that influences our approach. This years open-ended questions begin with a perusal of what we really do.Younger planners will find particular value in the appendices I've posted on SlideShare. We do a hell of a lot of different things and still carry the same general title. Just goes to show there is room in this world for all types. We also asked about our pursuits outside of work in service of making us better planners. Perhaps youll get an idea of something that will expand you. We asked about company perks, but there wasnt much surprising here. For a creative field, we are generally lacking in creative perks. Finally, we pressed for stories of personal expansion. We wanted to know those moments when you stretched yourself. Again, it's worth reading the SlidesShare appendices for more details, but theres quite a lot of inspiration to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. I hope you feel a bit inspired.
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Describe your day Think about your last full day of work. Describe in as much detail as possible exactly what you did.
I think this question is good because it removes some of the illusion of books like Truth, Lies and Advertising. Those stories are seductive, but they are not the full picture. A lot of what we do isn't really that sexy. And perhaps listing it like this makes it too dry. But this isn't a travel brochure - it's a state of the industry. I spoke to a brilliant planner friend about this and he said: I can turn to many blogs and slideshares and see all the wonders of planning, but what about the 80% of the job that is ... well, a job? Most planners are just regular ad-people, not the sharing super-stars we are used to reading. I know we want to elevate the industry, but it is not where it currently sits.
"Started off the day with a department status meeting (We are planning for our Planning offsite.) Half an hour of work time. Prep for my next meeting. Lunch meeting on mobile opportunities for our client. I think it's great but a lot of work has already been done by a team and client hasn't bought it yet. Work Time: I'm finessing a positioning deck to be presented next week. Did timesheets (We have to have them in each Friday). End of Day creative review: this takes a few hours. "This a bit contentious. The team's work is 'on brief' but it doesn't culminate in a compelling idea. I spend the next two hours and part of the weekend discussing feedback and suggestions for ways to approach the work."
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Planning outside work Beyond the work you do for your clients, what else are you doing that is planning related?
Learn & Absorb - Likemind meet-ups, workshop & conference - Social media activity (read & write) e.g. blogs, twitter, linkedin - Improv class - Teaching & mentoring - Book club - Going to concerts, cinema & exhibitions - Language class - Trendwatch Inner zen & Social karma - Sport eg. marathon, martial arts, group sport - Traveling - Spending time with non-ad people (there's a novel thought) - Volunteer work - Planning social group - Yoga & meditation Make & Create - Creative project e.g. photography, design, house renovation, playing a musical instrument, painting, filmography, crafts - Running own business or startup - Writing for publication e.g. magazine, book, website - Acting - Keeping journal
Company perks What, if anything, makes your company unique and a great place to work?
Not much surprise here. I wonder, if you ran your own agency, would you offer something different? Work life balance - Flexible working hours & mobility - Extra holidays/personal day - Gym, health & wellness perks - Day off for your birthday - Massage and manicure pedicure treatment Personal & professional development - Inspirational activities (trip, conference, talk, etc.) - Global agency swap Fun & entertainment - Company parties, drinks & food - Killer music - Great location - Inter-agency competition - Bakery machine - Unique office design - Movie nights Work culture - Variety of clients & projects - Travel opportunity - The culture of openness - Multi-cultural workforce - Family togetherness - Family & pets friendly - No dress code
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I believe that life should be a pursuit of stretching ourselves, growing and learning. And many of you shared similar outlooks. Here is an overview of some of the more specific stories that might inspire us all. I will put the full list of responses on slideshare. Have a read and be inspired that the feeling of not knowing the answer is in fact what its all about.
STRETCHING OURSELVES There are times in many individual careers where we have to step outside of our comfort zone and do something we aren't completely sure we can do. In what scenarios have you stretched yourself?
"I got made redundant last Summer, so I went freelance. Best. Thing. I Ever. Did. Better (and more challenging) work, better clients, less stress and more money." "I think we are tasked with these challenges more often than we think- whether it's speaking up when you're the minority or trying to accomplish something in a way that hasn't been tried before. In my internship after college I was tasked with a project that wasn't challenging me. After bringing it up to my manager and being ignored, I had to approach the issue head on with his boss. When I did this, I risked my relationship with my immediate manager, but in the end, I followed my instinct and I was rewarded. Out of my request, I was able to prove myself and I was offered a job. The job they gave me was an entirely new role that they carved out just for me. I learned that speaking up when you're unhappy is the best thing to do, but in order for it to work out you need to be proactive and you've got to have more solutions ready than you do complaints. I continue to be open about my opinions and ask for what I need to grow. So far, it's worked out really well." "A little over a year ago I asked the planning director at my University if he thought that I should stay another semester. He answered no, because he thought that I was ready to start working after 1,5 years of planning studies in the U.S. But, oh boy, I still felt unsure of my skills as a professional and wondered if anyone (but my director/teacher) would trust my abilities and actually employ me. Following the advice I left the University and the States to return to my country and get a job. I took an internship at a small agency, but felt that that wasn't the right place for me. At that time I was wondering if the planning occupation even was right for me. I ended the internship and worked in a musical instrument shop during December. Wow that was fun. I organized the shop, managed the display areas and tried to be of service to my coworkers and the customers. One day a man who I know briefly walked in to the store and after a conversation with him I had a name and the number to the person that later would employ me at the agency where I work now. After some time at this agency I remembered why I want to work as a planner. Working felt fun and I was motivated. In short I had learnt: - that being humble is good but that one shouldn't underestimate oneself - to turn to people I really trust for advice - that trying a completely different direction might be the answer - that the important thing about working is to feel motivated." "I went to the TED conference a couple of years ago. I was nervous about being an ad person there, among people doing much more meaningful work. I was sure they'd see me as pretty superficial. But I was surprised at how that wasn't really the case, and how those people were actually really interested in the cases where we'd pursued really interesting strategies or creative ideas - moved our industry forward a little or done stuff of more value than simply 'selling'. My work kind of held its own which I was surprised about. I guess I learned that when we try to do stuff of value in advertising, it has the capacity to transcend the shitty stereotypes of our industry. So yeah - keep aiming high and you won't get lynched at TED." "My background is in engagement planning - more specifically social media and propagation planning. When I arrived at my current agency I made it clear I wanted to learn much more about brand planning. On my very first day I was given a brand positioning brief. It was totally unlike anything I'd ever tackled before and completely paralyzed me with fear - however within two weeks I was presenting back my first brand positioning to client. Collaboration was the key to success - that and determination to succeed (and not look completely incompetent in front of my peers and the client). Working with the suits that knew the client inside and out - as well as tapping into the planning dir. Wholly terrifying and satisfying experience." "I never thought I could work on a particular clients business because of their negative impact on society. I sucked it up and took the assignment. And then ended up helping them to transform their business to more positively impact society." "Not to be trite but personally I hope each project pushes me beyond my comfort zone in some way or another, otherwise I'm not growing or developing in a meaningful manner. So I try to look for an opportunity in everything I do and that makes my job all the more exciting/rewarding."
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Closing thoughts
Im starting to get a bit more serious about an idea for a book. Id like to travel around the world and work for a couple of weeks at different companies to explore how planning/strategy is approached differently around the world and some of the more innovative companies that are pushing our discipline forward. If you think your company is doing something cool and youd like to have me work for you for free in exchange for letting me poke my nose into your business, please be in touch. And of course, this report would never have been possible without the help of the team. Please reward their effort with some follows on Twitter. We are here to answer follow-up questions and love to hear your ideas for future surveys.
Willem van der Horst willemvdh75@gmail.com @hippowill http://www.willemvdh.com Ayden Abdine - designer ayden@aydenabdine.com @ayden_a http://www.aydenabdine.com
Special Thanks
Many thanks to the individuals who spotted typos and bad grammar in earlier drafts:
Adrian Ruiz-Mediavilla Anibal Casso Anthony DAndrea Apo Bordin Ashly Stewart Ben Culpin Cameron Maddux Gabriel Patru Gareth Kay Gautam Ramdural Jon Miller Lanny Lucas-Stone Matthew Scott Mauro Murace Omar El-Gammal Rob Campbell Rye Clifton Simon Kemp Tom Bassett
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