I’ve been busy as ever, but on the other hand, I know a lot of people that have been layed off. Even though there are some real problems, I agree that in a lot of ways, all the bad news is self-fulilling. I’m in Atlanta where we recently had a major gas shortage because…duh…there was news about a gas shortage, and everyone got whipped up into a gas-buying frenzy.

I think the bad economic news is doing the same thing to businesses. People are getting layed off in preparation for slower times, but then the layoffs become the source of the problem.

i’ve seen my own clients walk away from the agencies i’ve worked at in the past, on the grounds that they perceive the real person doing the work to be the ‘producer’ – not in job title, but in function. that is, if psyop or the barbarians can create great work and that’s what you’re paying for, then why not go to them directly, cut out the 30 people working on the account at the agency, and just get what you wanted in the first place?

would that it were that simple. while clients may invariably think they know what they want, in reality it’s a different picture – and that’s where an agency comes in. somebody needs to shepherd the brand through the whims of consumer and client alike, objectively, and still (with a few exceptions) the only structure to do so is found at advertising agencies.

that’s not to say that they have nothing to learn or there are no changes to be made; agencies large and small are facing huge challenges to prove their relevance and maintain their ability to deliver results. but, anecdotally, i can’t tell you how much work i’ve seen done that bypasses an agency structure and goes direct to the ‘producer’ that falls far short of the mark because it is off target, off brand, off whatever.

in summary,

- agencies: GROW A PAIR. that is the only value you provide. stick to your guns and earn out that awesome salary.
- production companies: HI THERE. keep up the good work. if you end up doing work direct with a client, refer back to their existing body of work every five minutes to do a reality check and see if you feel like you’re on brand. and remember: managing the client will cost you more than you thought it would.

Any place that is claiming to hire full-time wants to pay you pennies. I am forced to lower my day rate and hourly rate just to get freelance work, and even that I can barely get. I’ve had two freelance gigs in the last 7 months. Both of which lasted two weeks, went over budget, and got scrapped. Last year, I had freelanced at a bunch of different networks and post houses. I reached out to all of them and not one place has any work for me.

I also have a few friends who are staff Interactive Designers, their jobs rely heavily on ad sales and even that is in the shits, work is so slow for them right now that they are all worried they will lose their jobs any day now.

I feel really sorry for all the talented kids coming of school looking to get into this industry. They are the ones who will be struggling the most. I mean….just do a local job search in NYC and see how many Motion jobs pop up.

Again, it’s horrible that some people are already losing their jobs and houses, and I’m in the same position everyone else is (although I don’t own an iPhone – sorry to disappoint you man). But if you take a broader perspective, we’re still the richest country on earth, and I think it’s common knowledge now about how much of a joy ride we’ve all been on. The financial mentality of some has to be questioned, don’t you think?

People will lose their houses and jobs, but put it in context – I’ll venture to say that they still might be better off than some in other parts of the world. In addition, the govt is already trying to help allay these personal crises, and honestly, do you fear that the country will hit bottom and never come out of it? Eventually the economy will come back – its cyclical.

Check out this article:
http://www.citykin.com/2008/11/peter-schiff-was-right.html

so cancel the cable… stop eating out every night… get busy with bittorrent… do you really need the new iphone/52″ flatscreen/bmw?… spread your savings between banks… and get a bicycle.

this is an economic global meltdown, and it will hit you, wherever you are.

Heard a line on a podcast the other day that seems appropriate – “A recession is when someone else loses their job, a depression is when I lose my job”.

But yeah, here in Europe things are going slow too..
Its a bit extra-concerning for me since I am a immigrant, so things goes sour, and in a heart bit i might be in a plane heading back to Brazil

More bad news pouring down on us

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/16/news/international/japan_recession/index.htm?postversion=2008111620