Age and the industry
Is age just a number or can it also be your expiry date in the industry? In a feature that first appeared in Encore, Matt Smith investigates.
When Channel 10 fired respected newsreader Tracey Spicer shortly after her return from maternity leave in 2006, one of the motivations behind the axing was alleged to be age. Fellow newsreader Jacinta Tynan, who today works alongside Spicer at Sky News, says: “The formula for news presenting has always been an old bloke as the anchor with a young woman co-hosting. With every grey hair, the old man would get a raise in salary while his co-host would be replaced with someone younger every year.”
Ten denied they sacked Spicer because of her age and although she was not replaced by a younger model, the network settled the case out of court for $250,000.
While Tynan has seen a definite shift in recent years and points to Sky News’ current line-up of news readers, she says there is still a way to go. “When I began in the industry, I didn’t expect to last past the age of 35,” she says.
People hate history lessons, because history, often made up of a pack of lies and political imaginings, tells you one undeniable truth; you are very likely going to get old and you are definitely going to die.
Old age is universally feared, denied, avoided or ignored for a range of obvious reasons.
I began to ignore the so called generation gaps and the age related opinions, trends, occupations and perceived inabilities, many years ago.
It began for me when (in my youth) I visited a children’s hospital and saw little people dying of incurable diseases. The world, it suddenly seemed to me, was made up of those who were doing it in life and those who, regardless of age, were (sadly) unable and/or unlikely to continue.
Rupert Murdoch ( but for fortune) would probably have been overlooked for a job on any news paper, over the last twenty years, because of his age; we all know very well that he has been a capable and sharp manager of not only one news paper but an empire.
“Life be in it ” whoever said that has my vote.
How sad for our industry that despite all the positives internally , and providing the guidance clients need to grow their business, we shove funky young things to the fore. No risk – it’s cheaper and all the mistakes are with clients money.
Let me see who we should invest with … Warren Buffet, or the good looking 20 year old whose been have a great time investing our super funds with whomever has the best parties. Winning!
if people have great experience, good communication skills and can think outta the box then those it matter how old they are?
A recent article posted on the blog of recruitment company Tenth House revealed:
“around 1 in 2 account management professionals are desperate to jump the fence and move client-side and strategists are not far behind. In fact there are very few who will not pursue an interview if briefed on a role.”
http://www.tenthhouse.com.au/b.....of-talent/
The most common reasons for dissatisfaction in advertising roles appear to be (in no particular order):
– Low salaries vs. hours
– Lack of process and work structure
– No programmes for people and career development
– Lack of loyalty and staff retention
– No work-life balance
– Glass ceiling – for women in particular
– Instability of client base
Most importantly, this is not just as a result of being headhunted and offered a role they may not have thought of previously. It is a conscious request when they come in to see us for an interview that they want to move away from advertising”
Given the early use-by dates and lack of long term career path is it any wonder that 50% of candidates approaching Tenth House want out of the industry now?
Whilst the lack of senior experience and mentors within agencies remains an issue that directly affects clients, it also appears there is a major issue brewing that will greatly impact on what agencies have to offer in the future.
Postcard from the Eleventh House-
“It takes me longer but the results are better”