Don’t Overlook Big Opportunities at Small Agencies
Terry Kasdan
Just a reminder to not overlook small agencies when you're searching for your first (or next) job! A position with a name-brand Chicago, New York, or L.A. agency is without a doubt a great resumé builder. But did you know that 90% of advertising agencies in America employ fewer than 50 people? Given the complexity of today's marketing ecosystem, businesses of all sizes (even those with traditional agencies of record) rely on boutique agencies (either from time to time, or all the time).
After graduating from Illinois with my degrees in advertising, my first job was as an art director at a small 12-person agency. On literally my first day in the office, I was called into a concepting meeting, and in a matter of weeks I was meeting with and presenting to clients. I even had opportunities to do production because at smaller firms everyone is expected to wear multiple hats. The range of experiences I had during my first two years in the business working for a small agency propelled me to start my own Web development and digital marketing agency.
Just because an agency is small doesn't mean it only serves small clients. My five-person firm has had the privilege to do project work for some of the world's biggest brands (McDonald's, Microsoft, and Pepsi to name a few). Our interns this past summer (three Illinois advertising students—Jaden Andrews, Kelly Johnson, and Nicole Yaylayan... they're the best!) worked on a social media strategy for Shakira (yes, THAT Shakira!). It's not unusual for even the biggest agencies to partner with niche firms when they are under-skilled, overworked, or need something very specific.
Go to Google and search for "ad agencies near me," and I guarantee you you'll be shocked by the number of small agencies, business-to-business agencies, niche design firms, Web developers, digital marketers, etc., that you'll find. Here, in Northbrook, IL (a suburb of Chicago), I counted at least 17 within a five mile radius!
If you want to learn more about what it’s like to work at a small agency, or if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to connect with me!
Terry Kasdan received his Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in advertising from the University of Illinois. In 1999, Terry founded atCommunications, LLC (www.atCommunications.com), an award-winning Web development and digital marketing agency in Northbrook, IL. For the last 11 years Terry has also served on the James Webb Young Board, a professional advisory board to the Department of Advertising. Connect with Terry on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasdan/