How do I tell my CD their work sucks and it’s basic?
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Tell me if I’m being petty or not: I was a senior creative on a team that literally would just straight up run off with my concepts and leave me behind in the dark. Whenever I presented my concepts, I wouldn’t hear back but would later see my deck designs being used for their own personal projects and concepts. As in, I’d make my deck look all cool, slick and edgy — then they’d litterally take the deck design, remove my concepts and later use it for theirselves. Is that okay or a violation?
You ever work with someone that’s just a straight up hater? You bring forth a great discovery and everyone is giving kudos except that one person. You get a new hairstyle and on the call, everyone compliments the new look except for that one person. In the office, you say hi to everyone but there’s that one person that avoids eye contact instead of just saying hello. Don’t be like this.
I can help. The first step is for you to DM both your and their books to me.
You don’t
By showing work that everyone immediately picks and buys. If yours is that much better, people will figure it out quickly
Good response
Text them a photo of your post.
How come you don’t help make it better? Start there
I don’t think I want to be one that’s the only issue
This is such a real question because you’re gonna constantly adjust your work to fit their taste for approval. Next thing you know, you are them!
Doesn’t most advertising suck and could be described as basic or mediocre, so like average maybe lol
just like that?
lolz nvm
So, in my humble opinion... this is one of the biggest, most toxic issues in pharma advertising - why do fellow Creatives continuously undermine each other? I would say, it's far better to STOP comparing ourselves to each other, and START learning from each other. Regardless of "level" and "job titles," being a Creative is such a gift - and working with so many talented Creative colleagues is a limitless opportunity to become better individually, and AS A TEAM. Working in the niche of pharma advertising is too cut-throat, and difficult enough, without all the additional judgement and politics - maybe find a new way to connect with your CD, and increase the 1-1 collaboration - it could be so rewarding for both of you, and the creative output will certainly improve in the eyes of your broader team, and most importantly, your clients. I know how frustrating things can get, so I hope this helps - it's always served me well!
I am sorry that I suck 😞
Well hopefully they read this so you don’t have to
The CD shouldn’t be doing a lot of work, their job is to help get yours and the creatives below them up to par.
Start dressing like a medieval knight
LOL why?
Don’t do this. Do your best to elevate the work where you can. Make strong rationalizations for why your idea could work, but in the end, you need to defer to the hierarchy. This will eventually lead to you being unsatisfied, so I would begin looking to make a change now.
☝️ just present the work you want to make. Sometimes yeah, you’ll have to work on some bad stuff. But just keep pushing, find the opportunities, take the big swings, never present straight ideas. Call out straight ideas. Ask if something can be pushed. Contribute to a culture of creative ambition. Doesnt need to be ground breaking. But how about a twist. A concept. It will keep things interesting and get people around you to take note.
I lost a job for this. To be honest, it was the best thing that ever happened. I tried to improve it. I tried to show them all 4 ideas they were presenting to 4 different clients were all the same. I tried to keep it objective. Ultimately, I made myself a pariah. I was fired and I landed a better gig where I've got more freedom and better leadership. If it bugs you enough to know you might not have a paycheck, say something. It worked for me, but I had to take some lumps in between.
I said I think we are recycling a lot of ideas and I don't think that's a good way forward and eventually clients will notice. I think we've gotten away from headline writing and now we create a tagline for everything slap it everywhere as a do all except on websites. We are also selling the same package of tactics instead of thinking about each client. We should be aiming to do better. That was received to no reaction, I was then chastised for weeks and then eventually looked for a new job. Timing was good good. Canned one week, started a new job 10 weeks later . I was lucky and my new job is so much better
You let the account, strategy and clients do that.
I wouldn't tell them their work 'sucks' because that's subjective and unlikely to lead to a productive conversation. Instead, be specific about what's not working. Explain why it isn't meeting the creative brief, the audience, or the business objective, and come prepared with examples of what you think could make it stronger. The best creative feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on the work, not the person.
Step one: Lift your leg and mark their desk.
Choose your moment. It’s a brilliant thing to say just before you get sacked.
Hope they read this bowl?