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
awesome! I want to work there.
User ID not verified.
lack of lols for a ‘funny’ video.
User ID not verified.
Genius!
I disagree with Logic, massive lol
User ID not verified.
If you have more than 8 years experience, is it a problem applying for a role with this agency?
User ID not verified.
No politics or egos = no fun.
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
‘Like’ “Who would first seek to understand the key, without first understanding the lock????”
User ID not verified.
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…
User ID not verified.
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
User ID not verified.
Fantastic – I’d love to work for you buys but I’m not sure that my creative spirit will meet your requirements
User ID not verified.
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”.
User ID not verified.
Awesome – if you’re looking for people just like that, I think I’m qualified!
User ID not verified.
How does ‘No politics or egos = no fun’?
Anyway, I love this clip. Great work guys.
User ID not verified.
Brilliant – it shows why you guys are different. Congrats on the concept and execution. Oh, and the courage.
User ID not verified.
good luck getting ppl with that salary range
User ID not verified.
Just feels like I’ve seen this type of portrayal of advertising people too many times to laugh. Sorry. Nice try but no cigar.
User ID not verified.
More importantly, who will provide the entertainment at the Christmas party if you don’t employ any wankers?
User ID not verified.
“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
User ID not verified.
Love it, how true.
User ID not verified.
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?
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
Great work, i loved it and I would so want to work there
User ID not verified.
What a great idea! Loved the video- thanks for the laugh.
Di
User ID not verified.
“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.
User ID not verified.
Makes me want to work in advertising
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
Absolutely Brilliant!
User ID not verified.
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
User ID not verified.
Wit without the wank-factor – Love it. Nice way to attract the folks they’re looking for.
User ID not verified.
Nice work – As a recruiter I take my hat off to you, positions sounds great in theory too- best of luck guys!
User ID not verified.
Yes! Dewanking the industry has to start somewhere. Big job boys but great start.
User ID not verified.
Great spot, well done guys.
I wonder if AM’s from media agencies are welcome to apply as well?
User ID not verified.
“I am cutting through the noise”
I really liked this, well done
User ID not verified.
Love it!
User ID not verified.
I love it, because i’m a suit!
User ID not verified.
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
User ID not verified.
Where’s the tits and ass
User ID not verified.
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…..
User ID not verified.
“No adland wankers”
“Step Change are the Robin Hoods of marketing.”
….might want to make sure you’re sending a consistent message there, folks.
User ID not verified.
That is fantastic. Well done 😉
User ID not verified.
I checked Wikipedia for the origins of the word wanker. MIA!
Anyone know ?
User ID not verified.
Good to see someone trying a different approach to recruitment.
They’re nice guys too.
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
love it! really enjoyable and entertaining – ripper!
User ID not verified.
I enjoyed it. The creative guy. Nailed it.
I was disappointed there was no “clutter-buster” but I will get over it.
User ID not verified.
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…”
User ID not verified.
AndrewL – I can’t see why not. We’d love to meet you.
User ID not verified.
I would hire the planner. He knows what’s up.
User ID not verified.
Yay finally. Someone is cutting through the wank. Do you need freelancers?
User ID not verified.
How is this in funny in any way?
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
Well done,
it’s funny and engaging, and we are all talking about it
big tick
User ID not verified.
Oh my lord. Hilarious. These people exist I deal with them EVERY day!
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
Anyone who even thinks of throwing comedy into this bear-pit of commentators has a fair set of ‘nads, just ask Ben Elton…
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
love it – best of luck
User ID not verified.
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….
User ID not verified.
I love everything Greg Flynn does. My hero.
User ID not verified.
Love it, good to see someone not taking themselves too seriously
User ID not verified.
The creative guy was pretty cute even with a beard….
User ID not verified.
Quite enjoyed this; I’d be strongly considering sending you something if I were returning to agency work. Or moving to Sydney.
User ID not verified.
Nice one! A brilliant, no nonsense message that, ironically, ‘cuts through the clutter’.
User ID not verified.
please, try harder
User ID not verified.
@Juz
I don’t notice any typos with that copy…
User ID not verified.
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
User ID not verified.
As cliched and instantly forgettable as that advertising ‘comedy’ on foxtel…..what was it called again?
User ID not verified.
My God the astroturfing in this thread is nauseating.
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
What are some of your brands besides Bavarian Bier Cafe?
User ID not verified.
I say, Clive’s awfully dishy!
User ID not verified.
Groucho,
when was the last time you were creative?
User ID not verified.
Enjoyable.
Nice mix of wankers.
I always thought the term was gender specific to the male.??
Thanks for the update.
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
Oh dear, I just saw myself there.
User ID not verified.
This is more lame than :30 seconds. Unless it’s supposed to be an anti-recruitment ad.
User ID not verified.
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
User ID not verified.
Hit all the stereotypes dead on! Brilliant!
User ID not verified.
The problem is that no-one on this planet actually thinks they are a wanker. They think everyone else is though!
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
Disappointed the job description reads like an excerpt from AdWanker 101
User ID not verified.
This is fantastic. Watched the video three times now and laughed out loud each time!
User ID not verified.
Crack up!
User ID not verified.
hmmmm.
http://www.stepchangemarketing.com/about.html
User ID not verified.
And I also do the best diagrams everr.
I always thought one good diagram is worth acres of copy
User ID not verified.
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
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
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…
User ID not verified.
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.
User ID not verified.
I am still very dubious that wanker is a term that can describe a female adequately.
User ID not verified.
Love!
User ID not verified.
Love it…thats JWT in 2.38 seconds!!
User ID not verified.
Bravo, hit the nail on the head… good luck with the recruitment drive!
User ID not verified.
Not bad!!! Thought it was a fail in the beginning but I had a few lols. Loved the creative guy. Good stuff.
User ID not verified.