On Saturday, I attended the wedding of a dear friend in New York. He is an “industry guy,” so there were lots of adpeeps congregated in a beautiful Catholic church, most of whom I hadn’t seen in years. The church itself is also something I hadn’t visited in quite some time — seems like the older I get, the less connected I feel to the institution. But that’s a topic for another blog.

As I waited in line to receive the Eucharist, my memory was visited by the Ghost of Masses Past. (For those unfamiliar with the ways of the church, the Eucharist is the bread and wine that has been blessed by the priest to commemorate Christ’s last supper.) There were always at least two people handing it out. The first was the priest, who had done all the blessing so that this earthly bread and wine would become Christ’s body and blood. Then there was the other guy, some unordained layperson who helped “feed the masses” before the organist ran out of sheet music.

I always felt the urgent need to be in the priest’s line, as if somehow, receiving communion from the guy wearing the robe was more sacred than getting it from Mr. Lame-O Volunteer. Who was that pretender anyway? How could his bread be as Jesusy as what Father was handing out? It couldn’t, so I went out of my way to get in Monsignor’s line, even boxing out dozens of worshipers just to get to the holier bread.

This memory, like most ceremony in the Catholic Church, became symbolic for me. I realized that I’ve been living my advertising life in much the same way I lived my Catholic life. Be it attaboys or accolades, I was always questioning the source. A merit could have been a medal. A silver could have been a gold. Hatch could have been CA could have been One Show could have been Cannes could have been D&AD.

In the same way a priest legitimized the Eucharist, the people and agencies I surrounded myself with legitimized my career. An acknowledgement of a job well done was always met with sincere gratitude, but a small part of me always wished it was coming from Jeff Goodby.

Accomplishments were judged on a sliding scale, and with them, my self worth.  And with that kind of stinkin’ thinkin’, how is one supposed to internalize losing a job? If I’m always judging myself by the company I keep, what does it say about me when that company doesn’t want me around any more?  It’s no way to live. Or work.

Compliments, awards, attaboys…those are just gravy. The greater satisfaction is always in the journey of self-knowing. And I think I finally self-know it.

Below are just a few of the amazing souls who have been and continue to be enormous helps in PFTA’s War Against Unemployment:

1: Skookum Can’t say enough about them — hire them for any and all web development projects.

2. Ted Villa: The production manager I wish I would have contacted months ago. Our relationship also proves the power of Twitter to connect people.

3. Joe Morris: The designer who got the ball rolling and without whom we’d still be at stage zero.

4. Conor Feely: Neighbor, fellow animal, and voice of reason in my time of need. Another great thinker and problem solver.

5. Michael Durwin: Social Media and web design guru, made site look amazing.

6. John Szalay, Richard Haynie, Liz DiPietro Frazier:  Art director/designers who are providing much-needed defibrillation to the production process.

7. Adam Kuhr, The Unknown Adguy, Stephen Lundberg, Kathryn Proulx, Mark Moll, Mark St. Amant, Winning At Business, Robert Schneider: They are the writers and community builders I one day hope to become. Thanks for the guest posts!

8. Lisa Hickey and Sarah Merion: Social media exemplar.

Mullen has a ton of job postings listed for AEs, digital strategists, producers, and brand planners (go to Mullen.com/jobs for more info). I post the following in more detail because I’ve heard about it from several sources and believe it to be a real need for them:

Sr. Interactive Art Director, Mullen, Boston

Mullen is looking for a skilled, innovative and thoughtful Sr. Art Director for our rapidly expanding digital marketing efforts.

 As Sr. Art Director, you’ll be responsible for the ideas and execution of digital communications including online advertising, social media, large web initiatives, online video and more.

In addition to being a great talent and collaborative team player, you should have the ability to:

- Develop concepts and designs for a variety of digital programs

- Partner with copywriters and collaborate with IA/UX, technology and production colleagues

- Understand the behaviors and best practices associated with both interaction design and digital advertising

- Stay on top of emerging technologies and trends

- Contribute your ideas and work as part of an integrated, multi-channel agency team

- Effectively sell ideas, both internally and with clients

- Juggle projects ranging from existing client work to new business pursuits

Take the work seriously, but not take yourself too seriously

Requirements:

- 7+ years of experience as a digital art director working with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign

- A strong understanding of the fundamentals of digital design and production

- A working knowledge of Flash and HTML

- Bachelor’s degree

Mullen will move to 40 Broad St, Boston, MA in June 2009.

Use your networking skills to get in touch with someone who knows someone at Mullen. Or for a less likely chance of a response, apply directly at http://mullen.com/jobs

Freelance Account Executive, Boston

As seen on Craigslist (thanks Ronan):

Advertising agency in the South End, Boston, looking for an account executive with 2-3 years agency experience. Position will begin as full time, freelance for three months. Could develop into permanent position. Candidate should have experience in print production, budgeting and review of media plans/authorizations. Primary responsibilitiy will include project management of active creative jobs.

* Location: South End
* Compensation: $35K -$40K a year, depending on experience
* This is a contract job.
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Apply at http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mar/1093139549.html