My first job out of school was as a Copywriter at a big agency, but after a couple of years, the stress of client demands and uncertainty in my job began to eat away at my confidence, and I made a premature decision to quit. After some freelancing and a short stint at a boutique agency that I left due …
Getting back in the writing game after a rough start
Career, CopywritingAnswered by Jancy on December 20, 2011
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How do I motivate my married, female creative partner?
PartnersAnswered by Jancy on December 5, 2011
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Dear Jancy,
I’m a copywriter in one of the top agencies in Kuala Lumpur. This is only my fourth month and I’m getting complaints – about my partner! Apparently, my ACD thinks that my partner is not motivated enough to work or push beyond the envelope. She’s married so I can understand that. But my ACD said I must inspire …
The recession stalled my career’s creative output… now what?
CareerAnswered by Jancy on November 23, 2011
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I’m a copywriter and in an attempt to get more exposure to television and mass media, I moved to a “underachieving” agency promising to make it big again.
Shortly after I arrived, recession hit and creative progress went out the window in exchange for financial stability.
My career has stalled. I feel I’ve lost three years. I need to move on …
Turning an internship into a job
CareerAnswered by Jancy on November 18, 2011
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Hello!
I am a Social Media Intern at a well-known Social Media Marketing Agency in downtown Seattle. My contract will be up in a few weeks, but I really want to get hired on afterward. This is my dream job! How do I show my employer that I’m extremely dedicated to their organization? How do I get them to hire me …
Creatives and MBAs: to what degree is a degree useful?
Career, EducationAnswered by Jancy on October 13, 2011
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Do copywriters or creative directors ever get MBA’s to be promoted to a higher leadership position? Is experience as a copywriter count as enough work experience to be accepted in MBA schools?
People in the creative jobs have all sorts of degrees and often, none. It’s a business where what matters is what’s in your portfolio, and the boss and your …
Are agency recruiters simply stringing us along?
CareerAnswered by Jancy on September 29, 2011
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Dear Jancy,
My partner and I are a Sr. Level creative team. We put together a killer site and started hitting headhunters (unproductive for the most part) and emailing recruiters and CDs. Out of that group, we’ve gotten interest from some of the hot shops’ recruiters. They show very encouraging interest, say they’re gonna fly us immediately in for interviews, or …
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About Jancy
'Jancy' is Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk, Co-Founders of Swim, a unique “creative leadership training lab for advertising creatives and marketers.” Prior to Swim, Jancy was globally renowned as the Co-Chief Creative Officers of Ogilvy & Mather Toronto, a position they held for thirteen of the twenty years they were a creative duo at the agency. Over the years they've racked up Cannes Lions, Clios, One Show pencils and CA credits, and have lead their shop to two Cannes Lions Grand Prix and a Grand Clio. They've judged CA, Cannes, D&AD, the One Show, the Clios and other prestigious award shows. Creativity named them two of the top 50 creative people of 2008. Known for their outspoken, no-bullshit style and a passion for mentoring juniors, they're ready to give you advice if you're ready to take it.
