Author: Brian

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Moving on

People in the agency business come and go on a regular basis. For any number of reasons. While the trends may not be as pronounced locally as they are at a national level, it certainly happens.

But every once in a while there’s a departure that makes us stand up and take notice. In recent months, there have been two.

In late November, Marc Cowlin exited his role as VP of Content and Digital Marketing at Duft Watterson, and in doing so effectively shuttered the shop’s San Francisco presence. A little digging around LinkedIn in the weeks that followed revealed that he is now with BlueOwl, a San Francisco-based technology company.

Separately, in late December Jeremy Chase left Drake Cooper (again), this time to take on the role of VP of Business Development at Salt Lake City-based Love Communications. The update came a couple weeks after Drake Cooper’s announcement that agency ownership had been converted to an ESOP structure.

I do not presume to know the reasons behind either of these departures, as there’s always more to the story than what may be shared publicly.

I’ve known both Jeremy and Marc for many years, and wish them nothing but the best in their respective new roles.

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Job opening: Creative Director

Branched Roots is looking for a Creative Director. From the job listing on Glassdoor:

The creative director is responsible for overseeing all creative products produced by an advertising agency. Creative directors will ensure the agency produces high-quality creative content for its clients and oversee the entire creative team, including copywriters, art directors, and designers.

The creative director guides all projects and is responsible for the overall quality of work produced by the creative department. Depending on industry focus and the company’s needs, the creative director’s role may shift. This role will require to work in the trenches, helping to generate the big ideas. The creative director job description includes:

  • Manage the creative process from concept to completion
  • Translate marketing objectives into clear creative strategies
  • Work closely with multidisciplinary project teams,
  • Lead and direct the creative team in the production of all marketing collateral, brand, design and UI/UX.
  • Ensure visual communication and brand standards are met
  • Meet with clients or upper management to explain campaign strategies and solutions
  • Review work, troubleshoot and provide feedback to creative teams
  • Manage and cultivate the career development of staff members, including designers, art directors, copywriters, photographers and web developers

Full details about the position and how to apply can be found here.

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Job opening: Communications Director

In addition to the previously-mentioned Graphic Designer opening, the Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific is also looking to add a Communications Director to their team. From the recent job posting:

The communications director is responsible for the development, integration and implementation of a broad range of public relations activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization and its leadership, including but not limited to executing strategic communications plans, leading regional community initiatives, and managing a high-performing, remote-based team of public relations professionals for Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific.

This seasoned, solution-oriented PR expert thrives in a team environment. They must possess a sophisticated understanding of media relations with an ability to maintain positive and productive relationships with media members, influencers and community leaders.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience supervising a team. They should be a self-starter who can work independently and handle creative direction/feedback.

Full details about the position and how to apply can be found here.

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Job opening: Graphic Designer

The Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific is looking for a Graphic Designer to join their team in Boise. From the recently-posted job description:

As a member of our graphic design team, you would be responsible for the design, layout and production of advertising and marketing projects and campaigns, fulfilling approved design work and completing internal and external production requirements. The graphic designer will work with multiple departments, receive copy/guidance/graphic requests from internal and external stakeholders, and is expected to be an expert on design concept and effectiveness, as well as make recommendations to adhere to brand guidelines while ensuring campaign success. The graphic designer is critical in recommending new promotion concepts, taking ownership of their execution, and being accountable to their success or adjusting if unsuccessful.

What we’re looking for…

  • Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from four-year college or university with emphasis in graphic design; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the field of graphic design, brand management, working with various companies, agencies and working with various vendors and knowledge of digital and print media.
  • Experience in concepting and executing full corporate identities including but not limited to; branding, ad design (digital and print), web design, large format (vehicle wraps, banners, etc.), brochures, flyers, and a variety of other marketing pieces
  • Knowledge in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Animate, and Acrobat.
  • MS Office, word processing, spreadsheets, Internet software, email, and electronic file organization skills required.
  • Positive attitude and high degree of professionalism

Full details about the position and how to apply can be found here.

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Your next five

I happened to catch this exchange between Derek Walker and Nancy Hill on Twitter a couple months ago:

By way of backgrounds, Derek is the “janitor, secretary, mailroom person and owner” of brown and browner advertising. Nancy is the CEO of Media Sherpas and former President/CEO of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s). Both are fantastic people to follow, should you feel so inclined.

While the number may be arbitrary, the questions are still valid.

For the decision makers in the audience, do you have a wish list? Do you know who your next five are?