We spend other people’s money, we are held accountable if and when the client isn’t satisfied with the ROI, we are held accountable if the tvc runs in incorrect program, if the insertion in the paper wasnt in the preferreds, if the live read sucked…we are held accountable for everything, by the client and by our empolyers.

No one blames a doctor, paramedic etc if someone is diagnosed with a terminal disease or the patient dies at the scene of an accident, the parents don’t scream ‘you incompetent asshole, WTF went wrong, how could you let this happen, fix it or you’re fired’ because ultimately everyone knows the GP is there to help.

Most clients on the other hand, don’t.

Work is work – sometimes its good sometimes its bad but most of the time its the same in all industries.
This is a study, like many others, that can be read to suit the reader. Don’t take it as gospel or to heart.

Can’t back this up, but i’m pretty sure that paramedics have one of the higherst % rates of stress induced depression and suicide……

Just shows how the people in the media industry see themselves “woe is me”

JD

I’ll not get into trading success stories, but I think the point is that adland works like any other B2B relationship and…..nobody dies when we get it wrong, I’d also suggest you dont work for organisations that treat you like crap – lots of good ones out there

D

And I agree we don’t do anything important.

I am, however, constantly amazed how hard people in Australia seem to make the business with politics, infighting, holding company crap, constant people changes and unclear direction.

All overlaid with reduced budgets, increased workloads and looming unemployment.

Happy Friday!

Singletons style motivation.

Not in the least bit stressful!

Do we all feel better about ourselves now? OK, back to work.

have worked both sides, last 10 years agency, and have had to do lots of these things (less the layoffs).

Have had psycho bosses, shizo bosses, barely-competent-to-do-up-their-flies-bosses, and any number of others. Great clients, awful clients, clients that have been sacked by my business for not being reasonable too.

But at its worst, I would rather not be involved in the medical profession as an alternative career on the basis it is less stressful!

cheers

If and when the massive downsizing from OS hits here there will be lots of tears.

That said Doe, do you work client side by chance or in account service?

Ever had a client come in on Dec 23 and say they want to see a whole new brand and retail campaign by Jan 2 or you lose the business and you have a trip overseas with your family planned and paid for?

Ever had a bi-polar boss?

Ever had a bi-polar, drug addict boss?

Ever had a bi-polar, drug addict, pathological liar boss with his third marriage breaking up?

Ever had to fire 17 people? Fathers of four. Single mothers…

Ever had to miss a wedding, birthdays, four weekends in a row trying to meet deadlines because a regional accountant laid off half your staff?

I could go on.

If you think that campaign going out is anything like as stressful as diagnosing kids with cancer, or dealing with peak period queues at the surgery, or worrying about that mis-diagnosis lawsuit, then perhaps, just perhaps, you dont have enough perspective

I have always worked in very hard-working environments in the marketing business, with great people, but when it all gets too much it is important to realise that we are not saving lives!