Letter from the Editor
Hey friend!
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably taken an interest in RPA, advertising, or maybe you’re just a curious friend of someone who has contributed. Either way, I’m glad you’re here, and I’m genuinely excited to introduce you to the resources inside this magazine.
Like many young professionals in corporate America, especially in advertising, I’ve had a wonderful yet chaotic year, crawling, running, jumping, and occasionally falling my way toward my first full-time gig in this industry. So one day, just a few months before writing this, a few friends and I decided to make something. We wanted to compile all the interesting things we’ve learned along the way. To turn informational chats, networking events, and real on-the-job experience into one resource to share with others in a similar boat.
What came out of that conversation is what you’re holding now. Inside, you’ll find a quick dive into RPA’s history, practical tips and tricks for networking and staying organized, and an overview of the many departments that bring an advertising agency to life. You’ll also find interviews with some of my favorite people at RPA, whose insights and advice have helped me tremendously as I’ve found my footing in this exhilarating, though sometimes overwhelming world.
A special thank you to my friends Abigail and Eva Rose for contributing to this project, and to everyone who supported or shared content along the way. I hope you, the reader, enjoy flipping through these pages as much as we enjoyed putting them together. Cover Photo: TravelScape, from FreePik
Jack Whayland EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Abigail Raike DESIGNER
Eva Rose Brazfield ART DIRECTOR
Looking Back, Moving Forward
RPA: An Independent Agency with Staying Power
RPA has championed relationships and genuine connection since it began in 1986. When the creation of a holding company introduced client conflicts, the founders made a bold choice. They separated the L.A. office to stay independent and protect their longtime anchor client. The client’s response said everything: “I don’t care about the name on the door. I care about the people behind the door.” With that, RPA was born.
Since then, RPA has continued to show the importance of putting people first. The team believed that culture should be lived, not displayed through flashy titles or empty promises. Real success would come only by honoring its people and serving clients with honesty and discipline. Trust, respect, and creative rigor became the foundation of the company and still guide it today.
RPA’s long-term partnerships prove that strong relationships can spark work that is both meaningful and memorable. As the agency grew, it expanded its capabilities while holding on to its independent spirit. Over the years, RPA’s work has earned recognition not only for creative innovation but also for delivering real business results. The agency has shown that craft and success, respect and results, belong together.
For young professionals, RPA’s story offers a few reliable lessons. Longevity matters, culture matters, and adaptability matters. Who employees are matters too, not just in the office but in the world. Their lives at home, their families, and their passions all play a role. The agency continues to thrive by investing in relationships, trusting its people, and evolving with intention.
What began as a simple choice to protect the team, the client, and the agency’s integrity became the foundation for one of the most respected independent agencies in the world.
For me, what makes great advertising is advertising that resonates in the heart.
How is that product or service compatible with me, my needs, my lifestyle?
Gerry
Rubin,
Co-Founder of RPA
Awards & Recognition
Departments at an Ad Agency
Find Your Department Doppelgänger
C-Suite
You’re the friend who manages to keep everyone moving in the same direction. You’re calm under pressure, confident, and a big-picture thinker who makes sure the whole crew shines.
People Team
You always check in when a friend has gone quiet, and make sure everyone feels included in the plans. You radiate warmth, patience, and good advice.
Strategic Planning
You’re a cultural journalist and treat group chats like a think piece. You over-analyze movie plots, predict the ending of shows, and can figure out everyone’s motivations before they speak.
Media
You somehow know the best time to buy concert tickets, find discount codes that actually work, and figure out where to sit in a restaurant for the perfect Instagram picture.
Production
Account Management
You know everyone, all the important dates and somehow keep the chaos under control. You’re equal parts charmer, mediator, and the glue that holds the group together.
Customer Experience
You’re always tapped in, whether through the hottest Reddit thread or newest TikTok trend. You’ve got a sixth sense for what’s about to blow up and how to make it land just right.
Marketing Intelligence
You’re the friend who can predict anyone’s Spotify Wrapped. You find which coffee shop gets the best reviews, know every hidden gem in town, and spot patterns no one else notices.
You make the trip in the group chat actually happen. You’ve got the itinerary, and Plan B (and C). You somehow make sure everyone’s where they need to be (on time and with a smile).
Public Relations
You’re always one step ahead. You read the room instantly, staying composed, curious, and confident at the same time. You can always turn a bad night into a good story.
Finance
Creative
You always arrive in the best outfit with a new idea that changes everything. You are a dreamer, doodler, and can make anything look and sound cool.
Business Development
You can start a conversation with anyone. You’re charismatic, charming, and always have a new connection or opportunity brewing. “Let’s make something happen” energy.
You’re responsible and always pay the bill first “to make it easier for everyone.” You track expenses for fun, love a tidy spreadsheet, and still manage to have the best travel stories.
Information Technology
You’re a quiet genius who somehow fixes tech by just touching it. You love a good system, and roll your eyes if someone says they “tried turning it off and on again.”
The Advertising Machine @ RPA
Customer Experience
Creates seamless brand experiences online.
Strategic Plannning
Provides insights that guide campaigns.
C-Suite
Leads RPA with respect and results.
Media
Ensures the right message reaches the right audience.
Planning / Negotiating / Analytics
Marketing Intelligence
Turns data and audience insights into action.
Analytics / Ad Ops/ Audience Intelligence
Finance
Manages budgets and resources.
Account Management
Connects clients and teams to deliver results.
Business Development
Drives growth through new opportunities.
People Team
Builds culture and develops talent.
Creative
Brings strategy to life through design and copy.
Copywriting / Art Direction
Information Technology
Maintains systems and enables workflow.
Production
Executes creative campaigns and assets.
Production / Project Management
Public Relations
Shapes and shares stories to build trust.
Breaking it Down
SANTA MONICA (LA)
ALSO FIND US IN: ATLANTA, CHICAGO, DALLAS, DENVER, AND PHILADELPHIA
HalayAlex, from FreePik
C-Suite
RPA’s C-Suite leads the agency with a focus on respect and results.
They guide every department to ensure work meets client goals, operational standards, and business impact. Their leadership shapes both internal operations and client partnerships. Every decision balances strategy, creativity, and measurable outcomes to drive the agency forward.
A Day in the Life:
The C-Suite spends their day meeting with department leads, reviewing business performance, guiding long-term strategy, and ensuring the agency’s vision aligns with client and employee success.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Strategic vision, decision-making, leadership communication, financial acumen, and an ability to inspire teams and drive organizational alignment.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chief Creative Officer (CCO)
Chief Client Officer (CCO)
Chief Media Officer (CMO)
Chief Experience Officer (CEO)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) (Technically EVP of Strategic Planning)
People Team
The People Team fosters RPA’s culture, talent development, and employee well-being.
They recruit, onboard, train, and engage employees while supporting career growth. Their work ensures employees feel valued, motivated, and inspired. Compassionate, organized, and people-focused, they help make RPA a great place to work.
A Day in the Life:
The People Team interviews candidates, plans culture initiatives, assists with onboarding, and supports managers and employees through career development programs.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Empathy, communication, organization, conflict resolution, recruiting, and talent development.
Intern
People & Recruiting Specialist
Recruiter
Senior People Generalist
Associate Director, Recruiting (VP)
Associate Director, People & Compensation (VP)
Director, People (EVP)
Account Management
Account Management is the connective tissue between clients and internal teams. They build trust through clear communication, organization, and a deep understanding of each client’s business. The role often includes elements of administration, production, and project management, as everything goes through them before reaching the client. From coordinating meetings, building decks, managing budgets, to delivering on client requests, they ensure campaigns run smoothly. Account Managers are proactive problem-solvers, relationship-builders, and leaders who keep partnerships strong and projects on track.
A Day in the Life:
Account Managers juggle client calls, internal check-ins, creative reviews, and project updates. They keep deliverables on time, within budget, and communication flowing across all teams.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Relationship management, organization, communication, attention to detail, multitasking, and strategic problem-solving.
Intern
Account Coordinator (AC)
Assistant Account Executive (AAE)
Account Executive (AE)
Senior Account Executive
Account Supervisor (AS)
Management Supervisor
Management Supervisor (VP)
Account Director (VP)
Group Account Director (SVP)
Executive Account Director (SVP)
Executive Account Director (EVP)
Chief Client Officer (CCO)
Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning combines curiosity, research, and storytelling to form the brains and foundation of every campaign.
Strategists uncover truths, analyze trends, and provide insights that guide creative teams in the sandbox. They conduct competitive reviews, focus group analysis, and case study research, and dig for unexpected human and cultural signals others might overlook. Their work ensures campaigns are meaningful, relevant, and strategically grounded.
A Day in the Life:
Strategists analyze cultural trends, pull data reports, lead brainstorms with creatives, and present insights that inspire the next big campaign idea.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Critical thinking, research, cultural awareness, storytelling, data interpretation, and clear presentation of complex ideas.
Vice President (VP)
Senior Vice President (SVP) / SVP of Behavioral Science
Executive Vice President / Director (EVP)
Customer Experience
Customer Experience (CX) ensures every digital interaction with a brand is meaningful, relevant, and seamless.
They manage social media communities, content calendars, influencer partnerships, trend analysis, and campaign digital campaign executions. The team translates audience insights into actionable strategies that resonate with both clients and communities. Curious, organized, empathetic, and proactive, they help campaigns connect with people in real ways.
A Day in the Life:
CX team members track social trends, create content calendars, manage brand communities, and collaborate with creative and media teams to ensure consistent messaging.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Social awareness, cultural fluency, community management, trend analysis, empathy, creativity, and adaptability.
Associate Community Strategist
Community Strategist
Social and Digital Strategist
Senior Social and Digital Strategist
Associate Director, Social Strategy
Group Director, Experience Strategy (VP)
Chief Experience Officer (EVP)
Media
The Media team focuses on the who, the why, the when, and the where of every campaign.
They use data and insights to ensure messages reach the right audiences at the right time. From planning and buying to paid social, programmatic, and digital strategy, they maintain alignment across teams and platforms. Media professionals are analytical, detail-oriented, adaptable, and passionate about turning strategy into measurable impact.
A Day in the Life:
Media professionals spend their day researching audiences, optimizing campaigns in real time, collaborating with strategists and creatives, and analyzing results to maximize ROI.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Data analysis, organization, Excel proficiency, attention to detail, adaptability, and cross-team collaboration.
Intern
Entry Level Roles
Assistant Planner [Media Strategy, Digital, Paid Social, Paid Search], Assistant Negotiator, Associate Analyst, etc.
Early Mid Level Roles
Planner [Media Strategy, Digital, Paid Social, Paid Search], Negotiator, Analyst, etc.
Supervisor
Associate Media Director
Group Director
Vice President (VP)
Senior Vice President (SVP)
Executive Vice President (EVP)
Chief Media Officer (CMO)
Marketing Intelligence
Marketing Intelligence turns data into actionable insights that make campaigns smarter and more effective.
They analyze performance metrics, campaign results, and audience behaviors to inform creative, media, and client decisions. Ad operations ensure campaigns run smoothly across platforms, while audience intelligence identifies key trends, demographics, and behaviors to guide targeting strategies. The team is collaborative, detail-oriented, and strategic, providing recommendations that optimize campaigns and drive measurable results.
A Day in the Life:
Marketing Intelligence professionals review dashboards, track performance metrics, compile insights reports, and meet with media and strategy teams to refine campaign targeting.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Analytical thinking, data visualization, Excel/analytics tools proficiency, attention to detail, and strategic interpretation of results.
Analyst
Associate Director Director
Group Director
Executive Director (SVP)
(Areas: Analytics / Ad Ops / Audience Intelligence)
Creative
The
Creative team brings ideas to life through storytelling, design, and copywriting, forming
the heart of every campaign.
Art Directors and Copywriters collaborate to craft work that is visually compelling, verbally engaging, and strategically aligned. They research, design, write, and present campaigns that connect emotionally and achieve business goals. Creative work at RPA seamlessly combines strategy and imagination to reach audiences effectively.
A Day in the Life:
Creatives brainstorm ideas, concept campaign visuals or messaging, collaborate with strategists and producers, and present work that inspires clients and audiences alike.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Concepting, storytelling, visual design, writing, collaboration, presentation, and creative problem-solving.
Temp Junior
(Copywriter, Art Director, Content Creator)
Mid-Level
(Copywriter, Art Director, Content Creator)
Senior
(Copywriter, Art Director, Content Creator)
Associate Creative Director
(Copywriter, Art Director)
Creative Director
(Copywriter, Art Director)
Group Creative Director (VP level) (Copywriter, Art Director)
Executive Creative Director
Chief Creative Officer (CCO)
Production
(and
Project Management)
The production and project management team are the behind-the-scenes engine that ensures every campaign runs flawlessly.
They manage timelines, resources, budgets, assets, and internal communication while supporting creatives and other teams.
Project plans, milestone tracking, and cross-team coordination keep campaigns on schedule and aligned. Organized, proactive, and detail-oriented, Production ensures every idea is executed with precision.
A Day in the Life:
Producers and Project Managers plan timelines, check in on deliverables, manage budgets, coordinate vendor logistics, and ensure everything moves from concept to completion smoothly.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Organization, time management, budgeting, multitasking, communication, and leadership under pressure.
Senior Vice President (SVP)
(Areas: Digital Production, Print Production, Integrated Production)
Business Development
Business Development drives agency growth by identifying opportunities with new and existing clients.
They lead pitches, showcase RPA’s capabilities, and cultivate relationships that expand the agency’s portfolio. Their work aligns business strategy with agency strengths and client needs. Strategic, persuasive, and relationship-focused, they help RPA evolve and grow with purpose.
A Day in the Life:
Business Development spends the day researching prospects, assembling pitch decks, coordinating presentations, and nurturing relationships that fuel the agency’s growth.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Presentation, persuasion, relationship building, strategic thinking, research, and collaboration.
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing
Associate Vice President of Business Development
Public Relations
PR shapes how RPA and its clients are seen in the world, treating RPA itself as a client. They craft and share stories that spark curiosity, build trust, and amplify campaigns through earned media, partnerships, and thought leadership. They manage reputation (and RPA socials), share messages with impact, and foster authentic connections. Strategic, empathetic, and creative, PR ensures every narrative resonates with audiences and clients alike.
A Day in the Life:
PR professionals draft press releases, coordinate with media outlets, manage social channels, and brainstorm story angles that elevate RPA’s reputation and thought leadership.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Writing, communication, media relations, creativity, organization, and strategic storytelling.
Intern Specialist Director
Finance
Finance manages RPA’s resources responsibly, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
They ensure every project and partnership is sustainable while supporting strategic decision-making. Their work allows teams to focus on creativity and execution with confidence. Detail-oriented, analytical, and strategic, Finance helps the agency stay financially healthy and operationally strong.
A Day in the Life:
Finance reviews budgets, processes invoices, tracks expenses, forecasts future costs, and collaborates with account teams to ensure financial accuracy across projects.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Analytical, detail-driven, highly organized, attention to detail, and resourceful.
Coordinator (Media Payables, Processing, Client Accountant)
Specialist (Media Payables, Processing, Client Accountant)
Supervisor / Manager
Associate Director
Vice President (SVP)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Information Technology
Information Technology (IT) keeps the agency’s systems, tools, and digital infrastructure running smoothly and securely.
They support hardware, software, cybersecurity, and collaboration platforms. Their work ensures teams can operate efficiently and safely every day. Problemsolving, adaptable, and proactive, IT empowers creativity and productivity across the agency.
A Day in the Life:
IT specialists troubleshoot tech issues, maintain systems, update software, and safeguard data so the agency can work efficiently and securely.
Key Skills & Abilities:
Technical proficiency, problem-solving, cybersecurity awareness, adaptability, and customer support.
Specialist / Engineer / Support Technicians
Network Admin / Service Lead / System Administrator
Business Operations Manager
Director of Information Technology
Young Professional Guide
Networking • Organization • Tools • Growth
Entering a new industry or field can be overwhelming, or even scary. You might find yourself asking lots of questions, and feeling rather lost. That’s why it’s important to ground yourself in these four pillars, in order to build habits that help you learn, connect, and grow.
Networking & LinkedIn
Building your network is about genuine relationships, not just collecting contacts. Connect with peers, leaders, and alumni. Connect with the guy across the hall. Reach out to your friend’s cousin’s kid who’s a senior in college. Advertising thrives on relationships. It’s a web of people, connections, and shared stories. Recognize that, and use it to your advantage.
Reaching Out
Sending out an ocean of cold calls and taking an interest in a bunch of people, disciplines, or businesses will always serve you better than sending out an ocean of applications.
Networking with Jack
Rejection doesn’t exist in the world of professional networking. I am notoriously sensitive with friends and family but I have been forced to have thick skin in my networking process. Someone doesn’t respond? Oh well. They send you a rude message. Darn – next. The more energy you give to these negative or neutral interactions, the less time and effort you will have to continue pushing and pursuing positive interactions. I promise the good connections outweigh the bad. If you network enough, you’ll quickly forget the messages left unanswered.
Follow-up
Send thoughtful follow-ups after meetings or events. Showcase a facet of the conversation you shared. This personal expectation will force you to be especially attentive in your interaction with them and will show that you are an active listener and care about what they have to say and about having this person in your network.
Find Mentors
Reach out to people who inspire you or simply those who get you. You won’t click with everyone, and that’s okay. When you do connect, don’t take it for granted. Ask questions, show curiosity, and stay in touch with updates on your progress. Engage with their posts, celebrate their wins, and share insights that show you’re paying attention. Your network is a living organism; feed it, nurture it, and take pride in it.
Stay Visible
Consistency is key. Update your profile, post reflections, and share projects you’re proud of to stay top of mind. When you get exciting news, share it. The world of advertising is a busy, busy place, and people will forget about you. It’s not personal. Give them a friendly reminder that you’re still kicking ;)
Being Organized
Organization is your secret weapon. It helps you stay reliable, efficient, and calm when things get busy. Ever wonder why in every interview they ask you how you handle juggling multiple tasks? It’s because in advertising, you are always juggling multiple tasks. Sometimes you even juggle multiple clients.
Find Your System
Experiment with tools like Notion, Asana, or OneNote to keep track of tasks and notes. Some people like physical post-it notes on their desks, or digital notes on their desktop. Find what’s best for you and your team and make it a habit.
Learn the Tools
Microsoft Office Suite, Netsuite, Sharepoint, RPADash, Smartsheets, etc. Have a very solid understanding of what tools your team uses and familiarize yourself with them. This may involve youtube tutorials, inquiring with coworkers, or just poking around.
Use a Progress Tracker
Document what you’ve learned and the milestones you’ve reached. It helps keep your supervisors informed on your progress and makes updating your resume much easier later on.
To-Do Lists
Plan daily priorities, and check them off for small wins. Write a task just to check it off, if that’s your jam. I break my to-do list into macro(monthly/ quarterly) and micro(daily/weekly) sections. Use whatever works for you!
Use Bookmarks
Save helpful websites, brand socials, internal dashboards, and reference pages. I like to use folders for each client/RPA. Your future self will thank you when you don’t have to dig through old chats or sharepoint folders to find what you need.
Leverage AI Tools
Use Copilot or ChatGPT to brainstorm, draft, or organize ideas. Practice presentations with the speech tool, experiment with lesser known ai tools. Brainstorm menial tasks you do and research how to automate them. As painful as it is to say (and say and say, and hear, and read, and watch) AI is the future, embrace it or get left behind. It should never be the core or driver of your work. But let it ride in the passenger seat, be comfortable with it.
Learn the Lingo
Familiarize yourself with your account’s key terms, acronyms, and clients. Poke around the past decks, resources, competitive audits, etc. Connect with the brand’s socials. Follow the CEO on LinkedIn. Stalk the clients facebook…just kidding. But seriously, do whatever you can to learn the account and all its context.
Learning & Growth
Your first year is about curiosity and initiative. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to be the “stupid” person in the room. Embrace that beginner mindset. Sometimes being the least informed leads to the most creative, out of the box thinking. Small, consistent effort adds up fast.
Take Notes
Keep a running document of insights, lessons, and feedback from every project.
Certifications & Learning
Explore LinkedIn Learning, Google Skillshop, or HubSpot Academy to expand your toolkit. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Something giving you trouble? Find a coworker that knows their stuff and sit down in a call with them and walk through it.
Join Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
They are great for building community and networking, gaining exposure, and learning from diverse perspectives. ERGs often include people from different departments, giving you a chance to learn broadly. They also put you in a room with like-minded people or those who share your interests, which is always a plus.
Own your Growth
Take initiative and volunteer for new projects. Share your goals and interests with your manager and ask for feedback. Listen carefully, take it seriously but not personally, and then act on it. Keep showing curiosity and positivity. The same attitude that got you in the door will help you grow once you’re inside.
Tips & Tricks
Keep up with your client through news and social media.
Take feedback seriously. Don’t let your ego get in the way of growth.
Be proactive, curious, excited, and always ask questions.
Make yourself hard to forget.
Learn how to read the room. Know when to speak up and when to listen.
Practice T-shaped thinking. Go deep in your focus area but stay broad in your awareness and collaboration.
Under promise and overperform. Show up and deliver more than expected.
Osmosis is powerful. You’ll learn just by being present and observant.
General rule of thumb: Big meetings, good time to listen, smaller meetings good time to speak up.
When in doubt, take note and bring it up to your supervisor later.
Say yes to opportunities. Volunteer, raise your hand, and show your willingness.
Have fun and be someone people enjoy working with.
Build relationships outside of just work conversations.
Stay busy.
Ask follow-up questions, know what’s needed and when it’s due.
If you have extra time, find ways to add value or start a project. Support others, but don’t try to do their jobs. Be helpful without overstepping.
Make your boss’s job easier. Anticipate needs and take initiative.
Know when to be honest and vulnerable, and when to show confidence.
Talk to people in other roles. Ask about their work, observe how they do it, and learn how they communicate.
What
first drew you to advertising,
and how did you land your role at RPA?
I was first drawn to advertising when I learned about the extensive research done on consumer behavior to determine target audiences during a psychology of advertising class freshman year of college! This opened my eyes to advertising beyond what I knew it as...taglines, logos, and commercials. This set me on the media path and from there I landed an internship with RPA my senior year!
-
Caroline, Media Strategist
Coming out of college, I knew I wanted to work in an industry that was fast paced, creative, and where I would be surrounded with positive and lively people. This is what drew me to Advertising when I started my job search. Through networking connections and reaching out to people in the industry, I got connected with someone at RPA, right at the time the People Team was hiring!
- Romy, People Specialist
Unlocking the right side of my brain is what drew me to advertising. I began my career in finance, immersed in data and analytics, but I realized I wanted to apply those skills in a more creative and dynamic way solving business challenges with innovative, humancentered ideas.
- Tim Marketing Specialist
I got into advertising through a friend of a friend. I was teaching and consulting at the time and didn’t want to go into academia, even though I had a strong academic background and a PhD in social psychology. I interviewed at RPA, six times, actually, which was a lot, but I think they wanted to make sure I was the right fit and vice versa.
I started out doing a lot of analytics while working within strategy. Over time, my role evolved into behavioral science, which brought me full circle back to my psychology background. I still do quite a lot of research and analytics, which is also part of my academic training.
-
Hillary, Behavioral Scientist
As someone who graduated college with a communications major and a very blurry sense of career direction, I ended up in advertising because it was the field that was most recommended to me based on my personality and interests. One of my mentor figures suggested I check out a cool agency called “RPA” given my location in Los Angeles, and the rest is history! Well, kind of – I actually applied for a few full-time roles at RPA and was denied, ended up interning for about 6 months, and eventually landed a coordinator role on the Honda team!
- Emily, Account Manager
During my first day I wish I remembered that I do not have to learn everything at once and my whole career will be spent learning! It can feel like information overload on day one but take a deep breath and remember you have time to soak it all in...that is what teams are for!
- Caroline, Media Strategist
What do you wish you’d known on your very first day at an advertising agency?
I actually think there’s beauty in not knowing. It keeps you curious, hungry, and forces you to ask questions. I remember soaking everything up like a sponge at my first agency job. And as I learned, I found out what interested me most and led me to where I am and what I’m doing today. I think the trick is to stay as hungry and curious on your 1,000th day as you were on your first day.
- Mat, Copywriter
That it’s ok not to be busy with specific tasks every second of the day. “Team building” (i.e. socializing) and “Training” (poking around learning about new tech and new categories and keeping up on the economy and social trends) are all part of the job. I did these things from the start but I as a junior I felt guilty if I wasn’t constantly producing something. A great strategist mentor sat me down and told me to chill and take a day and go to a museum and inspire myself. I made sure I did all my work, updated folks where I was at and took the day. Great advice.
- Mia, Strategic Planner
The more you understand how each department works and the connections in between, the better off you’ll be!
- Tim, Marketing Specialist
Advertising is FUN! It’s ok to show off your personal brand in the context of the agency life (in fact, I would highly recommend it). This is a professional industry, but there is immense room to be yourself and showcase your personality. Wear cool outfits to the office, share your personal passions and projects with others, and bring your own personal flair into all your work.
- Emily, Account Manager
Everyone is SO nice. Regardless of your first day anxiety, imposter syndrome, or whatever it is you are feeling, go in with a positive mindset and be ready to introduce yourself to people. It’s easy to let your nerves stop you from meeting people, but challenge yourself to be open!
- Romy, People Specialist
Collaborating is only possible with a plan. Far too often have meetings come and gone without a clear plan in place.
- Mark, Art Director
You’re here for a reason.
- Evan, Art Director
To keep track of how long you worked on what so that you can fill out your client hourlies easily….
- Minori, Marketing Analyst
What’s your secret sauce to staying organized and keeping things on track?
(Tools, systems, personal routines?)
Folders. Lots of folders. But also as a copywriter, I always create a separate “notes” word doc where I put all my original scripts, headlines, and thoughts for a particular project. Things evolve so much over the course of a project that it’s nice to have that document as something I can go back to and reference.
- Mat, Copywriter
Friday is the day to prepare to win in the following week. Block off time to plan, reflect, write down your wins, and submit your client hourlies. Tools I love: Asana and Notion.
- Zachary, CX Strategist
I am a die-hard fan of a good old written to-do list. Handwriting is the best way to lock things in for me, especially as a complement to my digital calendar and email. Color coding my calendar is another thing that has been immensely helpful for me, especially as I work across two different account teams. And finally – EMAIL TEMPLATES! Make them and use them. This is immensely useful in account given we frequently send emails that are always formatted the same to clients, legal teams, internal teams, and beyond.
- Emily, Account Manager
What do you do to recharge or avoid burnout during busy periods? How do you maintain a work-life balance?
Keep what we do in perspective. We are not curing cancer. But it is still stressful at times. That’s when I try to spend time with friends at work and in life. Talking to people about what you are going through and what they are going through, good and bad, is the best way I’ve found to feel more balanced and connected to what’s important to me.
- Mia, Strategic Planner
Honestly, the best thing you can do is work yourself as hard as possible and document the exact point where it becomes overwhelming. Then, identify the best and easiest hobbies in your local area that can be done in the allotted free time to get reset your brain. I’ve moved frequently, so my schedules have changed due to different locations and lifestyle shifts. Being flexible has allowed me to find relaxation and ways to maintain rest.
- Mark, Art Director
The work will always be here — don’t let it get in the way of life. Or another way of saying it is: learn to lock in as hard as you log off. Turn your notifications off when 5pm hits. Don’t sit for too long—prioritize your breaks, go on a walk and enjoy the sunlight. Don’t stare at a screen for too long—get face time with people, enjoy a coffee with a coworker outside of your day to day. Take care of yourself and the work will take care of itself!
- Zachary, CX Strategist
What’s one piece of advice that’s stuck with you since starting your career?
“There’s no glory in ‘I told you so’”. You’re not always going to agree with the way your team approaches a task or a client’s directive. Learn to trust your instincts and listen well; but most importantly, develop an empathetic and solution-oriented way of communicating why you feel something is important before it becomes too late. Do the work to ensure you put yourself, your team, and your clients in a winning position even if you’re the only one that sees it.
- Zachary, CX Strategist
Be humble enough to say yes to everything they ask you to do, but have enough ego and self-confidence to believe in yourself and your thinking, and advocate for it.
- Evan, Art Director
A creative director once told me: “Enjoy the process, not the project.” I think especially as an intern or a jr., you’re not always working on the sexiest projects. So, it’s important to remember that no matter how small a project is, to always enjoy the process of working on your craft. For example, as a copywriter, if I’m working on banners (which aren’t the most exciting thing), I’m going to enjoy the process of writing headlines and pour myself into that.
- Mat, Copywriter
“Just because you are new to your career, doesn’t mean you can’t ask for what you want.” A mentor of mine told me this and it has stuck by me ever since. Experience doesn’t dictate being able to communicate your needs and what you want out of a job!
- Romy, People Specialist
Most of us have our whole lives to work, so try to make sure it’s something you enjoy!
- Minori, Marketing Analyst
One piece of advice that has always stuck with me is “if you do not know then ask”. Asking questions truly is the key to success. Smart questions can help you understand deadlines and expectations of you/ your work, they can help you learn a concept more quickly by filling in your gaps of knowledge, and oftentimes, good questions can save you time and energy!
- Caroline, Media Strategist
It’s ok to not know the answer – but you must be solution-oriented. Always at least propose some sort of solution when you are asking a question to show you have critically looked at a problem and attempted to solve it yourself. This is something that may seem small, but I have really noticed the impact this has both internally, and even more importantly, externally with our clients.
- Emily, Account Manager
It’s a good idea to get a mentor, or a couple of mentors. That’s something I didn’t do early on and I think it would have benefited me. Mentors give you different perspectives and help you see the big picture. Your boss can’t really be your mentor because you need someone unbiased who you can talk to about things like reviews or raises.
- Hillary, Behavioral Scientist