Staying relevant in the world of marketing has taken on new urgency for those over 50. With so many layoffs in recent years plus the move to digital, the ad industry's usual preference for the young has been exacerbated.
Hope abounds, however. As Ad Age reports, Dave Shea, a 56-year-old advertising executive with experience creating websites and online games as well as TV, print and radio ads, spent 13 months on a job hunt after being laid off from a youth-marketing agency in November 2010. During his extensive job search, he continually received rejection letters explaining that his background wasn't the right fit.
"I was going to all of them, you name it," Shea told Ad Age. "I was leaving no stone unturned. Then I started following all the recruiters' tweets, but that was like chasing my tail. There are not too many people advertising for traditional ad people right now."
For those dealing with a similar struggle there are ways to present yourself while looking for a new job. It's not a cure-all, but age-proofing your resume can highlight your fresher attributes.
Related: Age-Proofing Your Job Application
In addition: Don't give up. It took Shea 13 months to land a new full-time job representing the production company Animatic Media, according to Ad Age.
Sales Buzz
Mexican Coke (WSJ)
After meeting in Davos with Mexico's president, Felipe Calderon, Coca-Cola Chief Executive Muhtar Kent announced a five-year plan to invest $5 billion in the country. The move will increase Coke's employment by 10,000 to more than 100,000 in the country, the company said.
Flat Spending (Bloomberg)
Consumer spending virtually froze in December, rising 0.1% from November.
Raya's Promotion (Retailing Today)
The supermarket chain Safeway has named Lori Raya, a 25-year company veteran, as the president of its Vons Division.
Marketing Buzz
Kerkorian Back in Action (WSJ)
After a seven-year break from the business, Kirk Kerkorian, 94, is looking to acquire a new film studio, production house or other entertainment company.
Another One Out (Media Decoder)
News Corp.'s head of communications, Teri Everett, has become the latest company executive to pack up her things in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal. Everett will leave the company on Feb. 11 and be replaced by Julie Henderson, senior vice president for communications and corporate strategy. News Corp. is the parent company of Dow Jones, which owns FINS.
Reopening in New York (Ad Age)
The global ad agency network M&C Saatchi hired Jeff Brooks, former CEO at Euro RSCG, to run its New York office, which is reopening in February. Brooks is looking for a chief creative officer, so send in your resumes!
Chacon Joins Latinum (Ad Age)
Ida Chacon, Procter & Gamble's multicultural marketing capabilities manager, is joining the Latinum Network, which helps marketing executives target Hispanic consumers and businesses, as the network's first vice president of marketing and commercial solutions.
Buzz Around the Office
Little girl imitates street dancer.
List of the Day: Learning to Endure
Everyone has colleagues they can't stand. The trick is in how you deal with them.
1. Manage your reaction. Count to 10 before you explode.
2. Don't complain to other co-workers about the person you hate.
3. If talking to the person doesn't work, learn to let it roll off you.
(Source: The Globe and Mail)
