17089: Slump, Dump, Jump—Mayday!

 

The Advertising Age monthly job market report stated, “Employment in advertising, public relations and related services slumped for the sixth month in a row, falling by 2,100 jobs in May to its lowest level in three years.”

 

Hey, that doesn’t even take into account casualties and collateral damage to come from the impending Omnicom acquisition of IPG, Procter & Gamble housecleaning, Walt Disney reduction rollercoaster, WPP Media plan, Ogilvy-Grey hookup, industrywide DEIBA+ abandonment, and assorted RIFreak Offs.

17087: Hundreds Holler, “We’re NOT Going To Disneyland!”

 

Advertising Age republished a Bloomberg News report indicating Walt Disney Co. is cutting hundreds of employees from its film and TV divisions.

 

So, it’s the last time hundreds will be singing, “Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s home from work we go…”

 

Disney lays off hundreds in film, TV as industry woes linger

 

Walt Disney Co. is laying off several hundred employees across its film and TV businesses, cuts that underscore the tough times in Hollywood are far from over.

 

The staff reductions began Monday and are falling on employees in marketing, publicity, casting and development, along with corporate financial operations, according to the company.

 

Hollywood has been in a cost-cutting mode for years, with production and employment in a downward spiral. Disney, based in Burbank, California, announced a retrenchment in February 2023, eliminating 7,000 jobs in a bid to cut expenses by $5.5 billion. The company later increased that target to $7.5 billion. Competitors have also laid off thousands of workers.

 

Disney’s latest reductions follow roughly 200 job cuts across Disney’s ABC and entertainment TV networks in March. In all, the company has eliminated more than 8,000 positions in recent years as it seeks to improve profitability.

 

Monday’s layoffs were first reported by the entertainment industry publication Deadline. Disney had about 233,000 employees at the end of its last fiscal year in September, including 76% full-time.

 

Shares of Disney were down less than 1% to $112.59 at 1:11 p.m. in New York.

 

—Bloomberg News

17073: Dawn Chambers Data Dump Displays Disturbing Job Dumps.

 

The Washington Informer reported data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Black women experienced the worst job loss of any demographic group last month.

 

An economist stated, “The unusual nature of this increase in Black women’s unemployment is a testament to and a direct result of the anti-DEI and anti-Black focus of the new administration’s policies. This is demonstrably damaging to the Black community, something we have not seen before.”

 

This is bad news for every Dawn Chambers in Adland, as they’re already disproportionately underrepresented.

 

More Than 106,000 Black Women Lost Jobs Last Month

 

By Stacy M. Brown

 

Black women experienced the steepest job loss of any demographic group in April, shedding 106,000 jobs, according to newly released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

 

The April report shows a significant setback for Black women in the labor market, even as the U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs and the national unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%.

 

The number of employed Black women dropped from 10.325 million in March to 10.219 million in April. Their unemployment rate jumped from 5.1% to 6.1%, the largest month-to-month increase among all racial and gender groups.

 

Among other findings, the labor force participation rate for Black women edged to 61.2%, indicating a loss in employment and a possible decline in overall workforce engagement. The unemployment rate for white women remained unchanged at 3.3%. Hispanic women’s unemployment also held at 4.6%. Women in other groups generally do not face the dual barriers of racial and gender discrimination that Black women contend with, a factor in the jobless rate gap.

 

The overall Black unemployment rate rose to 6.3% in April, up from 6.2% in March, marking the third straight monthly increase and the highest rate since January. In contrast, Black men saw a gain in employment, dropping their jobless rate from 6.1% to 5.6%. 

 

Asian Americans had the lowest unemployment rate in April at 3.0%, while the rate for Hispanic Americans was 5.2% and 3.8% for white Americans.

 

HBCU Money reported that the number of Black women employed is now at a five-month low, while the number of unemployed Black women is at a five-month high.

 

Economist William Michael Cunningham, owner of Creative Investment Research, told Black Enterprise that the number of unemployed Black Americans increased by 29,000 in April, reaching nearly 1.4 million. At the same time, the total Black labor force declined by 7,000.

 

“The unusual nature of this increase in Black women’s unemployment is a testament to and a direct result of the anti-DEI and anti-Black focus of the new administration’s policies,” Cunningham said. “This is demonstrably damaging to the Black community, something we have not seen before.”

 

Cunningham noted that many Black women are searching for jobs but not finding them. He said eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion roles and cuts in federal government jobs are key contributors. The BLS reported that federal government employment dropped by 9,000 in April and is down 26,000 since January.

 

“For Black women, the numbers show that those seeking work are not finding jobs,” Cunningham said. “The jobs that have traditionally been a path to stability are disappearing.”

 

Nationwide, job growth continued in health care, transportation and warehousing, financial activities, and social assistance. Average hourly earnings increased by six cents to $36.06.

 

The Employment Situation for May is scheduled for release on Friday, June 6.

17067: AI = Artificial Individuality.

InstaHeadshots boasts being the Most Realistic AI Headshot Generator. Can’t help but think the service will result in creating generic, cookie-cutter professional portraits—the opposite of capturing a likeness to display one’s uniqueness.

17060: Coke Adds Livelihoods…?

The Coca-Cola Company invested $128 million in US community empowerment programs, contributed $59 billion to the US economy, and supported 860,000 US jobs. Not sure if the latter figure includes White House staffers assigned to servicing President Donald J. Trump’s Diet Coke button.

17050: Relationships, Redundancies, And RIFs In Adland.

 

MediaPost spotlighted an ANA/4As report showing the average client-White advertising agency relationship lasts roughly 7.3 years; additionally, the average client-White media agency relationship lasts 3.2 years.

 

This translates to even briefer tenures for staffers at White advertising agencies and White media agencies—with job security further impacted if shops reside within White holding companies.

 

In short, the average Adland drone isn’t job hopping, but rather, the victim of job dropping.

 

ANA/4As Find Average Media Agency Tenure Just 3.7 Years Among Top Clients

 

By Steve McClellan

 

The average client-agency relationship lasts approximately seven years, more than double the 3.2-year average reported in 2016, according to a report issued by the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

 

The joint study surmises that the longer relationships may be due to clients “seeking long-term strategic partners which can provide integrated solutions, navigate complex marketing challenges and drive sustainable business growth.”

 

That said, there’s a wide gap in the tenures of full-service agencies, which average 7.3 years, and among top clients media agencies, which last about 3.7 years (see chart below).

 

The report suggests that rapid changes in technology may be a factor in the shorter life of media agency relationships with clients wanting to be sure their agency is up to speed with the latest tech and ability to optimize it.

   

But it also notes that some clients switch media agencies to leverage competitive pricing and potentially lower their overall marketing spending. The report cautions that “marketers should carefully weigh the potential benefits of short-term cost-savings against the long-term value of a stable client-agency partnership.”

 

Experiential agencies have the longest average tenure – about 10 years.

 

Independent agencies report longer AOR tenures (7.3 years) than holding company agencies (5.8 years).

 

Clients without mandatory review periods (60% of study respondents) tend to have longer relationships (8.1 years) than those with frequent reviews (as low as 3.8 years). And, as the organizations revealed in earlier reports, the 40% of clients mandating agency reviews spend on average $408,500 per pitch.

  

Among clients with mandatory review periods, five years is the most common length of time before a review is triggered followed by three years. The report reiterated advice in earlier joint reports that it’s a good idea to analyze the value of mandatory reviews compared to sustaining longer-term relationships.

 

The majority of agencies’ top 10 clients are in AOR/retainer-based relationships, which the report surmises is another indicator of a strategic preference for longer partnerships.

 

The report also urged clients to institute a “client-agency relationship program” to help maintain healthy, mutually beneficial partnerships.

17029: Skeletons & Ghosts.

 

Headhunters dissing headhunters sets a new standard for hypocrisy. Also, a ghost would have made a better visual metaphor than a skeleton.

16974: Bored + Bucks = Board.

 

This actual LinkedIn job listing seeks candidates to join a Board of Directors.

 

The key requirement involves investing $100,000—for a part-time role that pays $5,000–$25,000 annually.

 

Seems like a scenario for Shark Tank.

16954: US Adland Employment, How Low Can You Go?

Advertising Age published a lengthy report with the following headline and subhead:

 

US Ad Employment is Lower Than Previously Thought—Plus, Omnicom Cut Jobs In 2024

 

The ad business gained 300 jobs in January, while Omnicom’s U.S. employment tumbled last year by 11%

 

Regarding Omnicom, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

16931: Founder Flounder.

 

This actual LinkedIn job listing is seeking a Founder & Creative Director. Founder?!

 

Not only will the lucky winner create the brand and identity—they’ll also be charged with designing the fashion collections and product line.

 

Sounds like somebody’s gonna lose their shirt on this deal.

 

16920: For Doner, #HireDetroit Means #RehireBuddies.

 

MediaPost reported White advertising agency Doner—as part of its #HireDetroit stunt—rehired two White men for EVP/ECD roles. The duo had left Doner for McCann Detroit, and probably ultimately fell victim to the General Motors car wreck.

 

The boomerang hirings likely took quite a bite out of the $1 million earmarked for #HireDetroit—and sorta underscored how cronyism is alive and well in the Motor City.

 

Doner DEIDICATION is on display too.

 

Doner Taps Emmett, Legato As Executive Creative Directors

 

By Fern Siegel

 

Doner has hired Brad Emmett and Rob Legato as executive vice presidents-executive creative directors.

 

The duo will work across Doner’s full client roster, which includes a diverse portfolio of brands, including Coca-Cola’s fairlife, Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT, Alfa Romeo), the UPS Store and McDonald’s.

 

“As an agency founded and headquartered in Detroit, we are committed to investing in top local talent. Welcoming Brad and Rob back to Doner reflects that mission,” said Doner CEO David DeMuth.

 

Both men rejoin Doner from McCann Detroit, where they led creative efforts for General Motors, including the Will Ferrell “No Way Norway” and Mike Myers “Dr. EVil” Super Bowl campaigns.

 

“Something exciting is happening around every corner at Doner, and I’ve missed that,” said Legato.

 

Previously, Doner announced its #HireDetroit initiative, allocating over $1 million incrementally to hire top Detroit-based talent.

 

Doner is part of Stagwell.

16885: Help Wanted—Job Security Extremely Limited-Time Only.

 

Gee, this must be a tough sell.

 

You’re cordially invited to join a failing White digital agency poised to be pruned by a White holding company that’s being acquired by a bigger White holding company.

 

This is no Help Wanted ad—it’s Hell Wanted.

16830: 500 Jobs Sounds Like A Con Job.

Advertising Age reported Adland USA—advertising, public relations, and related services—gained 500 jobs in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Why, the trade journal declared ad employment is near an all-time high.

 

Not sure how this is possible, given Publicis Groupe dumped hundreds for failing to comply with RTO policies and assorted undisclosed reasons. Meanwhile, IPG continues to prune portfolios and people too.

 

So, where are these amazing 500 jobs? Perhaps the figures include influencers, creators, celebrity brand ambassadors, and other nebulous roles. Do fractional executives count as FTEs? Are White advertising agencies’ cats and dogs in the mix?

 

Then again, Adland has historically inflated staffing numbers to fabricate the illusion of DEIBA+ progress—so it wouldn’t be surprising to discover the Bureau of Labor Statistics is dealing with deceptive data.

 

Bullshit is near an all-time high—and constitutes a lot of full-time jobs.

16823: Publicis Groupe Is On Fire—And On Firing Spree.

 

MediaPost reported Publicis Media axed over 100 US employees for failing to comply with RTO policies. Advertising Age reported up to 200 employees will also get cut from Publicis Groupe digital agencies, including Razorfish and Digitas—although it’s not clear if the digital dismissals are tied to RTO compliance.

 

Meanwhile, Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun gushed over Q3 results and declared “we should outperform the industry by 400 basis points on average in 2024.”

 

In short, Publicis Groupe terminates employees whether they come into the office or not—and while the White holding company is boasting strong performance.

 

The corporate motto “Viva La Difference” should be revised to “Viva La Indifference”.

 

Publicis Media Lets Go Of 100+ U.S. Staff Over RTO Compliance

 

By Steve McClellan

 

Publicis Media has parted ways with over 100 staffers in the U.S. because they did not comply with the agency group’s return-to-office policy.  

 

It wasn’t immediately clear which offices around the country the departures occurred. Publicis Media oversees agencies including Spark Foundry, Zenith and Publicis Health Media.

 

Last October Publicis Groupe announced that it would implement new companywide work-from-home policy—effective January 1 of this year—requiring employees to be in the office three days a week with Mondays a must for one of those days. Also consecutive work-from-home days are no longer allowed.  

 

While the new policy was rolled out globally at the start of this year, it was put into effect in the U.S. in the spring of 2023.  

 

In a video message to employees last fall, CEO Arthur Sadoun said work-from-home was a viable option during the COVID-19 pandemic. But he indicated that people are at their best workwise when they are interacting face-to-face in an office environment working together. Hence the post-COVID policy change. 

 

In regard to the recent U.S. departures Publicis Media issued a statement:

 

“We have been clear and consistent about our policy that employees work from the office at least three days a week—an expectation that is being met and exceeded by the majority of our talent. We do not comment on individual employment changes.”

16802: 900 Million Reasons To Question LinkedIn Talent Solutions.

 

If LinkedIn Talent Solutions is so amazing, why are countless members adding #OpenToWork frames on their profile pictures? The parody ad below is probably more accurate that the actual ad above.

 

16794: Workout For The Out-Of-Work.

UPS is offering an opportunity to work out and get paid…? Does the interview process include strength tests and endurance exercises?

16787: What To Expect When Job Hunting Online.

 

The actual LinkedIn Jobs post depicted above should be revised to reflect reality as depicted below.

 

16784: Systematic Systemic Racism From VML.

 

Take a close look at this actual LinkedIn job listing from White advertising agency VML—it exposes all that is wrong with hiring practices in Adland.

 

The post appears to be a raw template, literally including phrases such as:

 

*Insert Intro paragraph about the role*

 

(PLACEHOLDER)

 

Top 3–5 attributes on scorecard go here

 

First, the job listing underscores that agency talent recruiters are stupid, lazy, or useless—and they’re often all three. In these times of AI, it’s a wonder such roles aren’t replaced by automated technology. It would be so fitting for Artificial Intelligence to handle Artificial Inclusivity.

 

Second, the base salary range is indicated as $60,000–$140,000. That’s quite expansive, and final pay offers—in terms of receiving crumbs versus cold cash—are undoubtedly tiered based on candidates’ gender, race, and ethnicity.

 

Third, the scenario feels like a deceptive stunt routinely executed by White advertising agencies. Specifically, firms will post job listings when no real jobs exist in order to satisfy faux DEIBA+ goals; ie, VML can now report to watchdog entities (eg, the EEOC) that they’ve opened opportunities to applicants of color.

 

Fourth, it’s most outrageous how VML engages in sneaky and systemically racist tactics—aka box-checking bullshit—while positioning itself as pioneering and culturally competent. The pathetic practices are performative, not progressive.

 

Finally, that 38 people applied for the fuzzy position presents a sad statement on the employment situation in Adland—even sadder if the job seekers include minorities.