No adland wankers, agency tells new recruits
Marketing consultancy Step Change has launched a recruitment video campaigning against advertising agency wankers.
Directed by Dan Ilic, the video focuses on unloveable adland types.
Step Change GM Jeff Cooper said: “We wanted to attract staff who love the industry but hate the politics, egos and rigid, demarcated roles of the big agencies. It’s ridiculous to the point of offensive that only ‘creatives’ are capable of great ideas or that only ‘suits’ know how to talk to clients, so we’re looking for people to do both in the one role.
He added: “The one great thing about wankers is that they need no explanation, so we were able to forego the traditional recruitment channels and approach candidates in a far more direct way. Ours is a pretty simple message: wankers don’t work here, so do you want to?”
Creative credits:
- Script: Tom Glasson
- Director: Dan Ilic
- Cast:
- General Manager: Jeff Cooper (as himself)
- HR Director: Tom Glasson
- Alan (Creative) – Cale Bain Simon (Planning) – Phil Willis Jess (Production) – Megan Ormsby Antonie (Account Manager) – Steve Lynch Clive (Senior Manager)- Greg Flynn
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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awesome! I want to work there.
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lack of lols for a ‘funny’ video.
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Genius!
I disagree with Logic, massive lol
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If you have more than 8 years experience, is it a problem applying for a role with this agency?
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No politics or egos = no fun.
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Disclosure: I know the Step Change guys and like them.
However genuinely I like it. Humour is always subjective and you can’t make everyone chuckle. But ‘ wankers don’t work here, so do you want to?” is neat and it’ll work I suspect. And I did laugh when the bloke started playing the foosball table.
Nice job.
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‘Like’ “Who would first seek to understand the key, without first understanding the lock????”
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Great concept, Im sure you’ll circumvent the recruiters with this! I have personally met too many of these wankers about time they were sent up publicly. Just going to pop out now and find a creative director to punch…
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Hi Ian, You sure can mate. We’re building a business for the people, knowing the rest will come. We’re not trying to squeeze people into a pigeon hole.
Job description is here – http://dl.dropbox.com/u/635717.....descv2.doc
If you’d like to know more.
Thanks for your interest
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Fantastic – I’d love to work for you buys but I’m not sure that my creative spirit will meet your requirements
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I love the way these guys have used the skills that they sell to their clients, to sell their own business. It is a great example of “practising what you preach”.
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Awesome – if you’re looking for people just like that, I think I’m qualified!
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How does ‘No politics or egos = no fun’?
Anyway, I love this clip. Great work guys.
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Brilliant – it shows why you guys are different. Congrats on the concept and execution. Oh, and the courage.
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good luck getting ppl with that salary range
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Just feels like I’ve seen this type of portrayal of advertising people too many times to laugh. Sorry. Nice try but no cigar.
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More importantly, who will provide the entertainment at the Christmas party if you don’t employ any wankers?
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“the consumer is the lock my friend”
That is one of the funnies lines / sexual references I have heard for a while.
Can’t believe people are debating whether it’s funny or not. That’s not the point. What matters is that it’s an effective filter. If you don’t like it, you are not on the right wavelength to be their employee or client.
Well done guys
SR
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Love it, how true.
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Sounds like a fabulous role but you can’t be serious with the salary! When will people like you guys learn? What happens when you pay peanuts?
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Hey Logic – you have a point there mate, you certainly got down to the weak link quickly. We need multiple hires and this is the ‘broadcast’ end of our search… I toyed with your point myself.
For all those thinking the way Logic thinks: We’re taking all applicants very seriously for multiple hires across that spectrum and we’ll clear up any questions around your salary expectations and brackets offline before you’re asked to commit your time.
Thanks Logic.
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Great work, i loved it and I would so want to work there
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What a great idea! Loved the video- thanks for the laugh.
Di
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“It’s ridiculous to the point of offensive that only ‘creatives’ are capable of great ideas or that only ‘suits’ know how to talk to clients”
Weird because most creatives I know do talk to clients. And suits should never be allowed anywhere near a pad and a squeaker pen because this is exactly the sort of dross they serve up.
Good luck attracting talent with this. You’ll need it.
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Makes me want to work in advertising
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Some funny bits. Foosball. Classic.
But seriously, if you’re looking for mediocrity, then a suit who thinks he/she’s a creative is exactly what you need.
Clients beware.
Also beware of any agency that needs to put “Advertising” Communications” or “Marketing” in their agency name.
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Absolutely Brilliant!
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Up to 8 years experience! Another crop of agency people who have done very little and contribute little to clients. No wonder the industry is full of shallow wankers
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Wit without the wank-factor – Love it. Nice way to attract the folks they’re looking for.
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Nice work – As a recruiter I take my hat off to you, positions sounds great in theory too- best of luck guys!
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Yes! Dewanking the industry has to start somewhere. Big job boys but great start.
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Great spot, well done guys.
I wonder if AM’s from media agencies are welcome to apply as well?
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“I am cutting through the noise”
I really liked this, well done
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Love it!
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I love it, because i’m a suit!
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Love you guys! Funny, funny, funny. If I didn’t have my own business (which is frankly taking up a bit too much of my time) and I didn’t turn dinosaur today (that’s over 40) – I’d love to work for you.
Good luck, I hope you and your new recruits set the world on fire.
Sharon
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Where’s the tits and ass
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Disclosure: I know these guys too and they’re brilliant! Anyone wanting to work with them should go for it. You won’t look back…..
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“No adland wankers”
“Step Change are the Robin Hoods of marketing.”
….might want to make sure you’re sending a consistent message there, folks.
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That is fantastic. Well done 😉
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I checked Wikipedia for the origins of the word wanker. MIA!
Anyone know ?
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Good to see someone trying a different approach to recruitment.
They’re nice guys too.
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For an agency that’s supposedly wanker-free, the job description is damn heavy on jargon, buzzwords and cliches. And hopefully once they hire someone who is “Able to proof copy with good spelling and grammar”, their next position description won’t be full of typos.
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love it! really enjoyable and entertaining – ripper!
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I enjoyed it. The creative guy. Nailed it.
I was disappointed there was no “clutter-buster” but I will get over it.
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Juz… You got me, I’m a shocker on spelling, Dyslexic from head to toe. But I’ve got a good joke for you… “So, a man walks into a bra…”
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AndrewL – I can’t see why not. We’d love to meet you.
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I would hire the planner. He knows what’s up.
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Yay finally. Someone is cutting through the wank. Do you need freelancers?
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How is this in funny in any way?
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Hey Jacinta – We’re always looking, but be warned, if you’re great we’ll probably try to hire you full-time. We can cross that bridge when we come to it.
Thanks for your interest.
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Well done,
it’s funny and engaging, and we are all talking about it
big tick
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Oh my lord. Hilarious. These people exist I deal with them EVERY day!
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It’s wonderful.
But it won’t work because everybody who has advertising experience plays with themselves with their hands, their minds and even with their bicycle seats.
Ergo no suitable applicants.
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Anyone who even thinks of throwing comedy into this bear-pit of commentators has a fair set of ‘nads, just ask Ben Elton…
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Jeff Cooper, you’ve done very well. I work in an agency that does creative & strategy for talent hiring & engagement, and I’ve sent this to all & sundry. Gold.
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love it – best of luck
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Does anyone think it’s a bit weird that they are launching an agency with a video poking fun at agency stereotypes and cliche`s with the name “Step Change”?//!!?
Or is that the real joke?
Aaah OK I get it….
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I love everything Greg Flynn does. My hero.
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Love it, good to see someone not taking themselves too seriously
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The creative guy was pretty cute even with a beard….
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Quite enjoyed this; I’d be strongly considering sending you something if I were returning to agency work. Or moving to Sydney.
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Nice one! A brilliant, no nonsense message that, ironically, ‘cuts through the clutter’.
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please, try harder
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@Juz
I don’t notice any typos with that copy…
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good luck. As an aside has the person who wrote that ever managed an account? you’ll quickly find why the two roles are seperated
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As cliched and instantly forgettable as that advertising ‘comedy’ on foxtel…..what was it called again?
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My God the astroturfing in this thread is nauseating.
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Poor old advertising.
Gets such a bum rap because of a few bad grains (I actually know a creative who, when asked what he does, after the shrug and a prolonged silence answers “I AM advertising”, and Simon sets new heights for planner-speak).
I like this though. It grabs your attention, clearly defines the company’s value proposition and the kind of culture you can expect.
They’re bound to get a strong response and after all, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Good work.
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What are some of your brands besides Bavarian Bier Cafe?
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I say, Clive’s awfully dishy!
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Groucho,
when was the last time you were creative?
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Enjoyable.
Nice mix of wankers.
I always thought the term was gender specific to the male.??
Thanks for the update.
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This is pretty funny; I think we can all recognise these characters, whether we like it or not. I do hope that Step Change can produce better work than that logo, however. For their own sake.
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Oh dear, I just saw myself there.
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This is more lame than :30 seconds. Unless it’s supposed to be an anti-recruitment ad.
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Can I have a job?
I have in fact watched all five seasons of L O S T in a fortnight?
http://www.collegehumor.com/article:1806859
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Hit all the stereotypes dead on! Brilliant!
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The problem is that no-one on this planet actually thinks they are a wanker. They think everyone else is though!
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We all laugh at these wankers and we all talk about the idea of working in an agency that didnt have people like these, but thats all fairy tale stuff. The industry is based on the personalities highlighted in the video.
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Can you creative types do one of these videos targeting recrutiment consultants? You know, the ones who love you up front then forget you exist when the trail goes cold.
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Disappointed the job description reads like an excerpt from AdWanker 101
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This is fantastic. Watched the video three times now and laughed out loud each time!
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Crack up!
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hmmmm.
http://www.stepchangemarketing.com/about.html
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And I also do the best diagrams everr.
I always thought one good diagram is worth acres of copy
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Trouble may be that if someone admits to being an “advertsing wanker”- They are probably too self aware and honest to actually be one! Good luck guys
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As someone that worked in HR & Marketing I’d like to say well done. It’s not the funniest video but it certainly makes its point and I wish more companies would do that!!!!!
Best of luck. You’ll certainly attract a very different type of candidate.
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This reminds me of every ad agency I have ever visited. Loads of air kisses, use of the word “darling” and “excellent” (when I am not their darling and what was discussed did not in any way warrant an enthusiastic “excellent”.)
Ad agencies cannot exist without wnkers; that is what the industry is all about! Middle men ripping off clients(.) Not all, however probably 3/4’s…
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Every place in every industry has their fair share of wankers. They’re easy to spot:
(a) They spend 47% of the day quoting statistics;
(b) They describe everyone else in the office as a wanker;
(c) They are quick to point their callused fingers around the office in disgust;
(d) They come into organisations claiming that they are creating an organisation free of wankers;
(e) Their CVs get magically better and better by the month on LinkedIn; and
(f) They wank a lot.
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I am still very dubious that wanker is a term that can describe a female adequately.
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Love!
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Love it…thats JWT in 2.38 seconds!!
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Bravo, hit the nail on the head… good luck with the recruitment drive!
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Not bad!!! Thought it was a fail in the beginning but I had a few lols. Loved the creative guy. Good stuff.
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