MAD MEN Salaries. Accurate?
I just happened across this infographic talking about the wildly popular MAD MEN television show. Although this is very interesting, I would have to disagree with Carrington College’s salary for Don Draper. They have him making $80,000 per year in 2010 dollars which is exceptionally low, especially for top talent producing the best campaigns.
What people don’t understand is how hard it is to actually come up with a successful marketing and advertising campaigns that are true to a client’s brand, address appropriate messaging and integrate all other marketing and advertising channels. The show itself shows Draper casually spitting out creative campaigns that everyone loves, achieves client goals and makes everyone money! That in itself would command a six figure salary! What they don’t show is all the work that goes into creating such campaigns. Strategic planning is paramount in the creative process and the foundation on whatever you do. Next, research of the client, their competition, industry, strengths and weaknesses provides a road map for the tactical and creative process.
So Draper’s $80,000/year salary is peanuts for a Creative Director. In addition, he works in New York City where some top execs are commanding $750/hr according to Ad Age. Marketing and advertising agencies in Denver, such as my own, still couldn’t get a Creative Director at that price. If you do, you aren’t commanding top talent, which is an enormous disadvantage in this industry!
[ Via: Carrington College
adam-oleary
Adam is a graduate of Colorado State University (bachelor’s degree in marketing), and he has experience on both the client and agency side of the marketing world. These experiences led him to come up with a unique, more efficient business model, which he’s incorporated into Encite Marketing. Adam sets the strategic direction for all Encite projects, developing integrated marketing campaigns that bring results. He takes a consultative approach with clients, educating them about how the process works, and keeping them in the loop about end goals, steps, and tasks.