The Era of Mad Men Is Gone; Now, Young Professionals Demand Recognition and Compensation
In the world of Mad Men, Peggy Olson's quest for recognition as a copywriter often met with defensive responses from her boss, Don Draper. He'd argue that acknowledgment wasn't crucial in advertising, especially if you weren't the creative director accepting a Clio award - a role Draper often played. Though Olson would soften her requests, she'd never quite get the gratitude she yearned for.
Fast forward to 2025, and the ad industry has evolved significantly from the Mad Men era. Today, the notion of crediting creative talent is no longer a matter of contention but a celebrated practice. While Draper's blunt remark, "That's what the money's for," may have rung true back then, times have changed.
Modern advertising appreciates a broader spectrum of creative talents beyond the traditional copywriters and art directors. Innovation is a team effort, and today's interdisciplinary teams include marketing strategists, digital creators, filmmakers, social media experts, and even technologists working with AI. The Adweek’s 2025 Creative 100 list, for instance, recognizes a diverse group of talents who’ve revitalized tired brands, boosted business growth, captivated audiences, disrupted feeds, and told stories that moved culture.
Today, collaboration and innovation are at the heart of creative success. Unlike the dominance of a single creative director in the past, today's industry is built on the understanding that great work emerges from collaborative efforts. Advertising leaders like Linda Boff, for example, credit partnerships with daring creatives for generating groundbreaking work, such as 3D printed fashion collaborations and other innovative projects.
So, while Peggy Olson may have faced a hard time getting recognized in the 1960s, modern creatives have it easier due to the industry's growing recognition of their contributions. Gone are the days when credit was overlooked or assumed to be compensated by monetary rewards – today, creativity is celebrated and acknowledged for its worth.
In the contemporary advertising landscape, the credit given to creative talents is no longer a matter of debate but a celebrated practice, unlike in the past when Peggy Olson struggled for recognition. Moreover, modern advertising appreciates a wider range of creative roles aside from the traditional copywriters and art directors, such as marketing strategists, digital creators, filmmakers, social media experts, and technologists. Today, creativity is acknowledged for its own merit, not just compensated with money, as pointed out by some industry figures like Linda Boff, who attributes groundbreaking work to partnerships with daring creatives.
