AGEISM IN THE AD INDUSTRY - PART 2
Despite the title this is in fact a post about ageism in the advertising industry (or any industry really). A topic that I am pleased to see is getting a bit more press in recent weeks. Regardless of who you were rooting for, aside from being an amazing game to watch, the Patriots-Chiefs game nearly two weeks ago now seems a perfect demonstration of the value of older, seasoned, and more experienced talent in any industry but in the ad biz in particular.
This all came to me during the game when I asked my husband why, on nearly every play, as Tom Brady stepped up to the line, he’d start tapping is index fingers on either side of his helmet? He explained that Brady was changing the offensive play call. He’d step up to the line, see the way KC’s defense was lined up, and change the play on the fly to adapt to the defensive call. And he’d do it with such apparent ease and effortlessness, it was impressive to watch, even for someone not familiar with the intricacies of the game.
At some point later in the game as Patrick Mahomes stepped up to the line, one of the announcers actually pointed out that he didn’t have enough experience yet to be able to change the play on the fly. Regardless of how the Pats defense lined up, Mahomes had no choice but to run the offensive play as called in from the sidelines and deal with the consequences.
Once again, regardless of your allegiances, or personal feelings on the matter, I think we can all agree that Tom Brady is an amazing quarterback, arguably one of the best ever. I think we can all also agree that Patrick Mahomes is a creative and athletic phenom, who is destined for perhaps even GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) status himself. But bringing all this back to the ad biz, while of course you absolutely want young, fresh, up-and-coming talent on your roster, why on earth would you not also want, working right alongside them, people with years of experience, who have seen or done just about everything at least once — who are equipped to ‘call an audible’? Both have so much to offer and to learn from each other!
Enjoy the “Big Game”! I hope your team wins!