Working in advertising, every now and then you see a concept and wish you created it. You curse. You scream. You’re mad at yourself for not thinking of it. But this week, someone sent me a holiday e-mail that was sent by a New York creative director to his team. I loved every word. I wish I wrote this. This captures exactly why I love the career I’ve chosen. And while I don’t know anyone who works at this agency, I wish I did. I wish I knew the reaction the people internally felt upon receiving it. Did they love it, too? Did they roll their eyes? I want to believe they loved it.

Here it is. I think it’s amazing. I wish I wrote it. Enjoy.

Subject: STILL in advertising- complete!

Recently, a certain unnamed and well intentioned person, upon hearing I’ve been in the advertising business some 20+ years, said to me, “Wow. How you feel about that?”, and I imagined from the tone of voice, that I was supposed to say something like, “God, I know. Time to do something more productive with my life.” Well, guess what?

I love building brands, and I really love building an agency. Speed bumps and all.

I love the loonies, the eccentrics, the overly-passionate, and the super hard workers I come in contact with every day. Sure beats making change at a bank or staring at stock tickers all day long.

I love the fact that in this business, you can never fully prepare for any day, because something unexpected will always be thrown at you. I love when the client asks you a question you’re not ready for, and you have to rely on your instincts and think fast, real fast.

I love that when everything goes pear shaped the night before a pitch we all band together to fix it- and somehow always deliver.

I love the stuff we make. Funny, beautiful, smart, meaningful. I love seeing it on tv, online, in a magazine.

I really love passing on what I know. And every day, learning something new, too. I love never being able to get too comfortable. I love having to constantly keep learning and pushing myself. And I love being challenged by creative people half my age (well, to a point).

I love the (sometimes delusional) belief that we’re actually making a difference in the world.

I love the wacky office parties, and the occasional bar room bitch sessions, the drunken faux pas that we laugh about tomorrow.

I even love the people that came and went, for the pieces they added, and the legendary stories they left behind.

I kinda love it all. Anyway, that’s what I was thinking. And I thought it was worth sharing. Despite all the blood, sweat, and tears, it’s good to be reminded every so often…

Advertising is a pretty amazing career to be in.

Happy holidays

I hope you have an incredible holiday. A great new year. I will be posting occasionally over the next few weeks. So check back.