I didn't know that mate. What did you do? I try not to use too much of it but I do like the term branded content, does what it says on the tin.
Publishing side, ad rep. Tecnology mags CIO, Computerworld, PCWorld etc.. Worked at IDG for many years, huge company. Got the boot with the rest of the staff when everything went digital. A little grey hair was a sin I couldn't overcome. SF ad biz is about technology and youth. I had a great run out here representing top properties, so no complaints. Went on to handle Biz Dev for a London based ad agency after that, but it wasn't my thing. Glad to be out of it now. The lines are so blurred...we sold branded custom content campaigns to all the big tech firms dating back to the early days of the web. It was fun then, not so much now.
I've never heard of an industry where employees have a shelf life like advertising. It's not far behind the career span of elite sportsmen in a lot of cases. I find it a bit of a disgrace to be honest. Sounds like you had a very good run though which a lot don't manage though so well done! It seems in a lot of places when people hit forty they just disappear. As someone not all that long out of art school I can tell you youth isn't the advantage many think it is. It's an utter myth that youth means sharpened creative minds.
Couldn't agree more, Disco. It can be a cruel business. The ad biz, where 40 is the new 60! I was bitter for a while, because it really ****ed my retirement. But in all honesty, that had as much to do with my reckless ways as anything else. Finding a new gig out here is really tough. The wife has helped a lot, so we'll figure it out.
