Creatives should be given way more opportunity to make a meaningful impact. On client business and on the world.

This is the magic wand wish from Ashley Rutstein, today’s guest on the DesuckifyWork® podcast (originally aired live on 12/11). Ashley is a freelance creative director, copywriter and the creator of @stuffaboutadvertising, with over 117K followers on TikTok(!) and nearly 25K on Instagram.

And she believes creatives can do so much more than make TV spots. We can influence operational changes, develop new products and help the world rethink some of our greatest challenges, like the environment and complex social issues.

This would make work feel a whole lot more meaningful, wouldn’t’ it?

But changes like this don’t happen without some fundamental shifts in the ad industry, according to Ashley.

🐱 Leaders need to help people feel safe sharing dumb ideas

🐱 Agencies should be more transparent about their values and client selection criteria

🐱 We all need to create more positive outlets for community vs. the toxic forums we often see

I find Ashley’s take on the ad biz to be refreshingly real and optimistic. I think you will too.

You can follow Ashley on LinkedIn. And check out @StuffAboutAdvertising on TikTok (🤞), Instagram and YouTube. You should also check out her private membership community called Internal Review at stuffaboutadvertising.com. It’s a delightful antidote to the toxic communities you’ll find elsewhere in the ad biz.

My site and my Substack newsletter are certified non-toxic as well. I’m on a mission to make work suck less and I’d love for you to join me. Want to make that desuckification happen ASAP? Let’s set up a free half hour coaching session.

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, share, rate, review, subscribe or consider going on the DesuckifyWork® diet… you can eat anything you want as long as you take a picture of yourself mid-chew with your food arranged into the shape of our logo on your tongue.

Bye, everyone!

If you’d like to watch the episode on YouTube, please click here.

#desuckifyworkpodcast #desuckifywork #advertising #creativity #executivecoaching #stuffaboutadvertising