How To Break Into The Ad Industry

Despite what everyone says, there are still lots of kids who want to work in the ad industry. God bless ‘em! The UK’s OpenAd Network has created a free PDF called “Goodbye Uni… Hello Job,” which offers advice on how to launch a successful ad(wo)man career. Quoted in this new mini-bible are top UK creatives including Ben Priest, creative director of RKCR/Y&R; Owen Lee, creative director of Farm; Kim Papworth, creative director of Wieden and Kennedy and Simon Learman, executive creative director of McCann Erickson. Here are their ten tips:

1. Find Out Who Can Help You And How – just like Hollywood, it’s all about who you know.
2. Be On Half Of A Dream Team – we say eschew this and go it alone until you land your first gig. You’ll meet some other sour faced agency underling and team up then.
3. Listen – Please yes!
4. Make Sure You’re Carrying The Best Book In Town – Hey, that portfolio matters more than who you know.
5. Get Out There – This section recommends heading to coffeeshops to do work until you land your dream gig. It’s true. We’re probably sitting right next to you slacking off from doing these darn RFPs.
6. Crits Are The To Success – Nada. Don’t make your book like everyone else’s. Actually, be creative.
7. Get An Internship – Again, because it’s all about who you know.
8. Turn That Internship Into A Job – That depends on how well you’ve gotten to know everyone.
9. No More Beans On Toast, which means – don’t stay put long. Move on and up.
10. Keep Listening – We’re wagering this is the hardest point. Navel gazing is the quiet plague of the entire industry.

To all you young hopefuls – we wish you the best of luck! Just remember, if advertising doesn’t work out for you, don’t sweat it. All us professionals have no idea what’s going on anyway.