Angus Macadam’s Post

Calm is contagious. At BBDO we had four forecast sessions every year, with the managing directors of every agency meeting with the CEO and finance director to go over P&L, projections and the strategy. Before my very first forecast, I had zero clue what to expect. Is it gonna be nerve-wracking? Will I get the support I need? My agency was the youngest in the group, a small underdog going after big and bold projects. Long story short - since my first forecast meeting, I participated in many more. We had groundbreaking success stories, we suffered losses, we gained talent, we lost talent. It was a classic agency life roller coaster. And every single time I walked into my CEO's office, I felt this sense of calm coming from Ella, our long-time CEO. The moral of the story - your team members will mimic your behavior. It's a guarantee. So keep calm.

I never thanked Ogilvy, the agency that gave me the most, properly on a public platform after I quit, so here it is. How does one quit a feeling? (Pray. Do tell.) It’s true when people say this place is built special. From how creativity is nurtured at every desk, processes are put in place to enable the same, where every kind of talent is respected and the best clients in the country are your everyday partners. It was an amazing ride to say the least where I learnt a lot from the people around me. Seniors, juniors, everyone. And hopefully been able to pass on a few lessons too. I’m parting ways with mahesh parab (only professionally) after 16 crazy years and I’m going to miss our daily banter the most (also the guaranteed pay slip at the end of the month). Mahesh and I have created some of the best work of our career here and we can't thank Harshad Rajadhyaksha and Kainaz Karmakar enough for giving us the opportunity, freedom and support to do so. Also, how different people from different departments of Ogilvy worked as a unit to make us look good will always stay with me. It's why I don’t think it's ever possible to quit Ogilvy. Well, how does one quit a feeling? And it is for all of the above reasons, that work at Ogilvy never felt like just that. It was always an experience that went beyond. Every single day. And for that, I’ll be forever grateful. #Ogilvy #TheBest #Advertising #Farewell #WorkCulture

I have to tip my hat to the recruitment team for McCann Manchester. Recently, I applied for a position with them. The #Role itself did not have a salary displayed but, was super interesting and... who wouldn't want to work with McCann? Not only did one of the recruiters contact me very soon afterwards but they went one step further. After reviewing my portfolio and application they felt that I had more than enough experience for the position but, that because of this, the role may not have the budget for me. They then told me the budget for the role, asked me what my thoughts were and then stated, and I quote "I'd be happy to keep an eye out for more senior roles if this one isn't the right level". I don't wish to name the person mentioned as I have not asked their permission. However, I had to highlight this stellar level of candidate communication! At a time when hearing anything back is like the unicorn of #jobsearching, to get this level of openness and communication... well, BRAVO! #recruitment #communication

My Career Reinvention: From Setbacks to Success at Ogilvy UK Hey everyone, I wanted to share a bit about my career journey - it's been quite a ride! Between 2021 and 2023, I found myself in two roles that were a tough fit for me. They pushed me out of my comfort zone, and despite giving it my all, I struggled with managing upwards, proving my value, and adapting to new skillsets in unfamiliar contexts. When I left those roles, I won't lie, I felt like I'd hit rock bottom. The sense of failure and shame was overwhelming, and my confidence took a serious hit. But you know what they say about hitting rock bottom? The only way is up! So, I started climbing. I sought help from therapists and coaches, buried my nose in self-development books, and leaned on my amazing network of friends and connections. I joined a choir (yes, really!), exercised regularly, spent time outdoors, and cherished quality time with my family - all these things helped heal my mental health. During this transition, I took on freelance work to rebuild my confidence. This not only helped me regain my professional footing but also prepared me for job interviews with renewed credibility and high self-esteem. Fast forward to now, and I'm eight months into an exciting role at Ogilvy UK as a Strategy Director. I've had the privilege of working with clients like the International Olympic Committee and F1, helping them better engage their fans. I've collaborated with brilliant and kind strategists, creatives, technologists, and account directors who have made my transition seamless. I've also been exposed to exciting areas of behavioural science and have developed more skills in using AI to make my job easier. The warm and friendly company culture, coupled with a drive for excellence, has made my experience at Ogilvy truly rewarding. If there's one thing I've learned from this journey, it's the importance of self-kindness and clarity. One practical tip? Reflect on every job you've ever had - write down what you liked and disliked about each role. This can help you understand your specific preferences and position yourself to do the work you enjoy and excel at. If my story resonates with you, drop a comment below. I'd love to hear from you. #CareerJourney #SelfReflection #Authenticity

So there I was, fresh from the whirlwind of McCann NYC, landing with a bit of a thud in London, 2008. The transition from bustling ad scenes to, well, a career pause wasn't exactly what I'd call a soft landing. The job market was as inviting as a closed door. Fast forward to my first big client meeting in London. To say I was a bundle of nerves is an understatement. I was so jittery, I resorted to fidgeting with my pen, desperately trying to find my client-speaking groove. And then, as if to add a dramatic flair to my anxiety, the pen exploded. Ink. Everywhere. It was like a scene from a comedy sketch, except it was my life. The meeting took a nosedive, and so did my confidence. But, you know what? It was in that inky mess that I realised we're all just human. Even clients. There's this illusion of perfection we chase after, but real life? It's far from perfect. That day, covered in ink and embarrassment, I think I became more human to my clients. And somehow, that disastrous meeting turned into the foundation of a strong, successful working relationship. It was as if letting my guard down and showing my vulnerability made me more relatable, more trustworthy. When our client L'Oréal rolled out their #WorthitResume campaign, it struck a chord with me. It was a reminder that our mess-ups, our not-so-fine moments, are often where we shine the brightest. Or, at the very least, where we learn the most. Now, when I present, I keep my hands free – no pens to betray me. I've embraced my story, ink stains and all, because sharing these moments can help us all be a bit more forgiving of our flaws and fearless in the face of new challenges. So, here's to the mishaps, the blunders, and the beautifully imperfect journey. It's through these #proudfailures that we truly grow. Shayne Millington Elav Horwitz Nusara Chinnaphasaen Ioana Filip Isabel Castens Erica Yahr (she/her) Stephanie Nerlich Ann-Christine Diaz Ioana Zamfir Would you join me and post your own “proud failures” stories? Please include hashtags below👇🏼 #WorthitResume #LOrealParis #TruthWellTold #McCannWorldgroup

They don't go to Saatchi & Saatchi to get the same. They go there because they expect 'different'. Would you believe...the exact same psychology plays out, when they come to YOU. They dont want the 'same'. They can get THAT anywhere. They come to you because they expect...different... ...lets be honest...they expect better. Here's an exact 'word-for-word' LinkedIn header from an industry leader (well that's what they said they were)(I'll get sued but I don't care) "Video Production That WINS You More Clients" No hint about 'HOW' they win you more clients. No special thing they 'DO' that wins you more clients. No differentation at all...but we are to believe somehow, that they WIN you more clients. It's nonsense to believe that just because you say so...you will do a better job that your competitors. If you do it better...SAY SO. If you do it faster...SAY SO. If you do it cheaper...SAY SO. Don't expect the client to read your mind, they won't. Do it better...tell them why it's better. P.S. I already know you do it better...that's why you're in business. #sales #manufacturing #collaboration #engineering

This. Was. A. Year. Briefs, meetings, wins, losses, awards, award shows, great conversations and tough ones. Expenses, time sheets, eye-rolling, cheering, quiet celebrations and even-quieter "why didn't you tell us that?"s. A layoff, a trip, a new gig, a new team, a new client, a new way of working and a new goddam time sheet system. Missing old friends and making new ones. Head nods and hand shakes. Head shakes and high fives. Silver Pencils, Clios, ADCC's, Cannes short lists and marks missed by a mile. Trips, falls, dust offs and starts over. This year I wondered how I'd start again and then I started again. I wondered if I was needed and valued and then I was reminded that I was. I experienced some things for the very first time and others for the very last. In other words, this was just another year as an advertising creative. To everyone who experienced any or all of this, I salute you. I commend you on your strength and resilience. Being a creative in advertising is not an easy path, despite what some may think or pretend to know. We're not just dawdlers and doodlers. We're the magic. Don't forget that, no matter what your year threw at you. Happy Holidays, you magical beasts, you. #advertising #creative #copywriter #artdirector #designer #happyholidays #strength #creativityismagic

It’s #NationalCareersWeek! ⭐️ Here’s our advice for any aspiring creatives looking to prep for their first role in the industry… What advice would you give someone looking to forge a career in the creative industries? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Condé Nast Is Folding Pitchfork Into GQ, With Layoffs Multiple employees at the storied music criticism site “will be leaving the company,” according to a memo from Anna Wintour. https://lnkd.in/dAg6nZ6w HOWEVER, yourself or your business may be having a hard time, generating inspiring, high quality branded social media posts and SEO. optimised blog content. Our done for you service can help you with: 1. Scaling your brand awareness 2. Expanding your reach 3. Driving more traffic 4. Increasing your lead generation and sales 5. Interacting with potential customers, suppliers and partners 6. Upselling & x-selling 7. And much more! YOU or your business can get up to: 1. 180 Branded Social Media Posts 2. X4 SEO Optimised Blog Articles = 4000 words 3. Scheduling & Posting across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google My Business, Pinterest, Tik Tok Every month, from only $99! Learn More: https://1.xpandops.com/rsl #markets #careers #entrepreneurship #futurism #future #quotes #technology #digitalmarketing #humanresources #management #innovation #creativity #india #career #business #sustainability #data #people #climatechange #technology #marketing #automation #innovation #venturecapital...

A few considerations for any creatives currently dreaming of an in-house role 💭 Focus your search on the role, rather than the brand 💭 Be open-minded to the sector 💭 Make sure to dig into the EVP. Just because they're a highly regarded brand, does not mean they invest in their people 💭 Ensure they are progressive and open to change 💭 Values alignment is more important than working somewhere 'cool' 💭 Don't expect it to be easier. You might work harder than you've ever worked before 💭 You'll need patience for people who aren't familiar with the creative way of working 💭 Pending where you work, the lack of brand variety might make you go insane 💭 New frustrations will form in ways you've never encountered before 💭 In the right role, you might get your creative spark back 💭 You'll develop new-found knowledge and respect for colleagues working in other industries 💭 You won't have to pitch again (let thank sink in) 💭 Your ego will survive the transition and you won't fail as a creative moving in-house Good luck to anyone making the jump right now! #creativenatives #movinginhouse