This may come as a surprise (in fact, it was a surprise to me) but after a long, hard decision making process I’ve decided to accept the role of Ad Critic at Advertising Age, where I will report directly to Editor Abbey Klaassen. Klaassen was kind enough to let me break the news here.
I started my career in advertising reporting nearly nine years ago, blogging from a swanky McMansion in Boston where the interns, clad in plaid, pleated minikirts would bring me my coffee at nine and my Old Fashioned at three. After having been layed of one too many times, I decided to forgo agency life and all the trappings that came with it and, instead, toil in the hand to mouth lifestyle as a burgeoning ad blogger. Well, what with all those plaid, pleated,miniskirt-wearing interns, it hasn’t been all bad. From there it was an upward climb towards Bob Garfield-like infamy. The two of us have had our fair share of words over the years but Advertising Age realized it was time for a change. Recently, Garfield announced his abdication of the Ad Critic throne after 25 years of service.
The decision to join AdAge was tough. I’ve had harsh words for the publication over the years but AdAge approached me and made it clear that they couldn’t operate under their current model any longer and needed some “fresh” energy in their hallowed offices. I look forward to coffees with AgencySpy’s Matt Van Hoven (yes, he’s been hired there too) and biscotti with Stuart Elliott. Wait, he works at the New York Times.
So thanks to all of you who have given so much to me over the last nine years. You’ve helped me grow into the new Bob Garfield, a position that, well, no one really aspires to but I hope to blaze my own pathway there as best I can.
Fear not, though, the death of Adrants. It will live on and continue to deliver all you’ve come to expect from it. I’ll still blog here but the interns will take on more responsibility and we’ll be adding some new blood as well. And if any applicant shows up to an interview wearing a plaid pleated mini skirt, they are guaranteed a job.
