Minions We're Not

There are some questions I would like to ask the advertising industry elders: (Let's just do this numerically in no particular order)

1. "Did you really think an English major, with no prior advertising/marketing experience, was really going to get it right away?"

2. "Can you please point me in the direction of the e-commerce site where I can purchase 10-15 years of experience?"

3. "Ever heard of the expression, 'Attitude reflects leadership’?”

The reason I bring this up is because this last week at the iMedia Agency Summit, it became clear to me that the ad industry hates young people. I listened in on a panel where even Beethoven could hear the theme of gender bashing. It went along the lines of, "My/the 25 yr old media planner ___________! (Insert complaint here) This wasn't the first time I have heard this sort of talk. It's pretty commonplace to pass the buck in this industry and who better to take the brunt than the youth.

The panel had one participant that really rubbed me the wrong way. Let's call her "Ms. S". After listening to Ms. S ramble on about her problems with her young team it got me thinking: If her employees are so bad at what they do, why on earth did she hire them in the first place? That followed with the premonition that maybe she is just a shite educator and judge of talent. I mean it's just as viable a theory as saying all 25 and under employees are idiots.

Now she may right in that her employees are not all they're cracked up to be and can't handle their workloads. But that doesn't mean all young professionals in the ad industry are as such. The problem with people like this is that their drivel has a trickledown effect. Because of my age, I am then perceived as though I have no idea what’s going on and my thoughts revolve around tequila shots and porn, not strategic deliberation.

A typical conversation I have with people at industry events starts with me introducing myself and telling them where I work. This usually follows with, "Oh, so you’re a Durham-ite eh!" or "Ahh, so you're one of Durham's minions!" My inner monologue instant replies with, "Go f*@# yourself buddy!" I'm not going to name names here, but to one person in particular, "Chris Cornell called me and he wants his look back mate. This is iMedia. Not Lollapalooza."

This whole age bias needs to stop in my opinion. Yes, I am younger. No, I don't possess the experience you have. How can I when you are 10-15 years my senior. Yes, I do enjoy a drink or two during the week or on weekends. You're a bleeping hypocrite if you say you did otherwise at that age. No, I do not know everything about this industry and how to properly execute certain things, but I am willing to learn as much as I can under your tutelage. If you are unhappy with your employees, maybe you should look at yourself and your inability to hire those capable of doing the job you require. Maybe you are not a good educator. Maybe you should consider one's pedigree before having them sign on the line that is dotted.

All in all, it's about the individual, not the masses. Stop generalizing and have a chat with me before you feel the need to do the grandma move, of pulling my cheeks, by calling me “minion or “–ite”.

I'm not an intern. I have a degree. Check it at the door.