Every agency has their Untouchables. Those few, proud right hand men and women who are the last to go. They are the rain makers and award winners. They bring a little bit extra and contribute more than they’re paid.
One thing’s for sure. They aren’t dispassionate or un-opinionated. The people who’s jobs are most safe aren’t hiding in their cubes, waiting for the storm to blow over. They are making shit happen, redoubling their intensity, and going out of their way to separate themselves from the Touchables.
If you’re still working, what are you doing to gain Untouchable status? If, like me, you were not among that elite, what more could you have done? While it’s true that many of us are simply casualties of the economy, it’s probably true that there is someone with your same title and salary who is still there.
If I had one regret, it’s that I didn’t shake things up more. Don’t get me wrong, I worked my ass off. I gave my life to my job and did the best work I knew how. But I did so quietly, apolitically, and a little too safely. Winning a Lion or two wouldn’t have hurt, either.
I was Touchable. Few of us aren’t. So what’s the distinction?
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I disagree. There is no such thing as being Untouchable, unless your name is on the door. You may not get hit in round one of layoffs, but round three, round four they come knocking, just cause you make too much, your too old, your last boss or partner quit. You can work yourself to death and in the end you can still get fired.
I actually thought I was an untouchable. For I was the person in my small agency that was called on to do everything. I am a copywriter by trade. But I was also an AE, Producer, Interim CD, Production Manager, New Business Manager and on-call girl when the going got tough.
I survived four layoffs. But when #5 came around, I knew it was my time. And all the hours and extra jobs I fulfilled meant nothing.
And yet, my resume is big and fat. I’ve done everything there is to do in an agency. So hopefully my experience will help me sail farther in the next job.
The Untouchables. A pretty decent movie and a rare occurence in advertising: http://bit.ly/2Vq3Ud
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Everyone is Touchable. Employees by their employers. Agency owners by their clients. Clients by their stockholders. Stockholders by Bernie Madoff. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, how smart you are, or how dedicated & loyal.
Even Steve Jobs is Touchable. Apple fired his ass back in the 80s.
Untouchables: those who “contribute more than they’re paid”.
There are too many touchable “award winners who brought a little bit extra” that have been laid off.
It seems that even people who go the extra mile and win awards, even win new business and create exciting new campaigns aren’t safe from the claw of unemployment. I would hate it if people thought those who got laid off were anything less then creative. Sure some who are hacks got the boot, but there are plenty of hacks who didn’t. And maybe hacks isn’t the right word, perhaps the word is, lacking. Still, fact is no one is safe. And if you think you are, that’s when you need to worry.
There are people who are in the ad biz who are willing to do anything to stay in it. And I don’t mean in a good way. They lack morals and will fuck over anyone in their way. I was never willing to do that. I was brought up a certain way and I won’t break my code for anyone or any client. I’m afraid that all that’s left in the ad biz are the snakes, scumbags and users of others. There are obviously exceptions but the majority of those who are left aren’t the kind of people I choose to be around. Yeah, they’re untouchable until they feed on eachother.
I’ve found that most of the time the untouchables are the ones who are wander around schmoozing everyone, contributing nothing but making it SEEM like they’re contributing everything. They’re the ones who constantly talk up someone else’s work like it was theirs. They randomly drop in “just to say hi” to the president. They’re the ones who pretend to be in the know about everything but are really just repeating opinions and thoughts from someone else.
In short, it seems like it’s always the brown nosers who stick around while the people who keep their heads down and do the work get the boot.
I think there are really only one or two “untouchables” in any agency. And usually beside there production, what they are best at is validating the head guy or gal.
Now when the head guy or gal gets touched then they too become touchable.
The only advice is never rest and always look out for yourself. You owe the company nothing. You work, you get paid it’s quid pro quo.
No one is untouchable. When things get bad enough, even CEOs and COOs get canned.
And sometimes, nothing you do can turn the tide. When a big client walks out the door, salaries get trimmed. Businesses are forced to trim fat first, muscle second, and bone third.
But there are steps you can take.
So, you got touched. If you followed the rules above, karma will most likely take good care of you soon enough.
1) If you find a client who believes in loyalty, offer to step in front of a train for them.
2) Never appear in your boss’s office unless you come bearing a surprise.
3) Get everybody’s back. 75% of those people will return the favor.
4) Long hours don’t count. The ideas you show other people, on the other hand, do. (See #2 above)
5) The second your workload slows, start asking people “what’ve you got?”
6) Don’t bitch.
7) Don’t be precious. Be media- and assignement- agnostic. That’s part of being a professional.
I don’t think we can overlook the fact that some of the untouchables (and oh yes… there are some) are only untouchable because they’ve been friends with the bosses for a long time.
The conversations behind closed doors are about “your job is safe, Bernie. Don’t worry.” “Thanks, Phil, I appreciate that.” It’s personal favoritism over business decisions. Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with that, other than it’s simply not fair. If I were letting people go, I think it would be hard to fire a friend before “just an employee.”
The contrary to this is equally unfair, but a bit more understandable (but no less infuriating). And that’s keep the family-man/woman, screw the single. Some people can’t bring themselves to cut anyone with kids or a spouse first. But the single person, with no dependents, perhaps no mortgage… buh-bye. Talent isn’t an issue in this case. It’s just what will make the boss lose less sleep at night.
Either way… it’s bullshit.
I think in most cases, untouchability is another illusory carrot that the business world holds out for you to keep your ass slaving away.
In my current position I’ve worked harder and better than anyone in this place over the years, at a lowball salary, and I still get beaten down and threatened like everyone else.
Unfortunately it took me a really long time to figure out that this place was not the meritocracy they pretended it was. Stupid me.
Such a cynical group. Yikes.
Everyone is touchable, but there is a big difference from those who are touched first and those who are touched last. And i think the reason is a simple one. Hunger. An insatiable starvation to do good work. Quite frankly, when my work does not get picked, I get pissed. I get fired up. I go back harder. I run through walls. On the outside, I’m cool like Fonzie. But on the inside, I am driven to be better. And for that reason alone I think I wont ever be the first to be touched. Besides it just sounds dirty doesn’t it…”touched”. No thank you.
If you think you may have a reason to worry, any at all, then believe me you do¬ ¬– in a big time way. In work and in life, live like you did in college – with passion and with hunger. Work with each other to keep your bellies full. Stay hungry friends. And don’t let anything come between you and your next meal.
@Hacktastic
I appreciate you attitude, I really do. That’s exactly what I believe too.
Unfortunately, it’s made me vulnerable to be taken advantage of by my current bosses who give lip service to meritocracy, but ultimately do not reward excellence or proven results.
They have literally told me to my face that I deserve to be treated better, but “That’s not how we work here” and if i don’t like it I can leave.
Be hungry and always push yourself. But protect yourself. that’s a lesson i wish i learned a long time ago.
When I was laid off from BBDO, I was told that the decision was made by a group from human resources and accounting who had no idea who I was or what kind of work I did.
The 100 of us let go that day were dismissed soley on which account we worked on and how much we made. That way, the company was free from any legality, as far as anyone claiming racism or agism. There was no personal reasoning involved.
Thus, how does touchability even factor? I could have been the best or worst worker. It didn’t matter.
I was let go from one of the big shops after 9/11. Being a single guy who was originally freelance and brought on staff, I was an easy person for them to let go. Absolutely, how many mouths to feed and if you’re a lifer plays into these decisions. Easier on the conscience.
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