Our industry’s drinking problem is stretching us to breaking point
Alcohol is the essential lubricant that oils our industry’s conferences, awards and networking events. But is it stopping us from doing our best work? Mumbrella’s deputy editor Josie Tutty argues it is.
“How many units of alcohol do you drink per week?”
It was the dreaded question, one I’d been mentally preparing for, just in case the doctor threw it my way. It was November, and so with some degree of honesty I replied: “About five or six?”
Early November was the calm before the storm, where the Christmas invites had been sent, but the parties were still a few weeks off. My colleagues were eyeing their December calendars with trepidation, and we were all trying to stay off the booze.
https://staging.mumbrella.com.au/hamish-and-andys-media-buyer-drinking-game-547002
I think a key part of this is to remember how most agencies treat their staff. Based at least, on my conversations with account colleagues in adland and media (I’ve been lucky to avoid it):
1. Hire someone
2. Add more work to their pile each month until they can no longer cope
3. Burn them out
4. They move to another agency who does the same
5. Replace them
Alcohol isn’t just a social thing, it’s part of the ‘apology’ of making certain individuals work way beyond what should be considered acceptable.
Couldn’t agree more! What even more sad is that many agencies almost build this disgusting culture into it’s business model. I’ve heard putrid stories of agency employees asking for pay rises only to be told that the perks (aka free drinks & parties) received in the industry were unlike others and justified their lower than average salaries… that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms though.
“A whole ‘nother” ?
Let’s see; apostrophe in place of a missing letter, Mmmmm
another? OK. That’s a whole another can of……no can’t be.
Oh I see, That’s another can of worms, as in metaphorically opening another can of squirming worms, which though dissimilar to the one already under discussion, is never the less equally or perhaps even more problematic :o) I think I need another drink…..
Tmesis (/ˈtmiːsɪs, təˈmiː-/; Ancient Greek: τμῆσις tmēsis, “a cutting”) is a linguistic phenomenon in which a word or phrase is separated into two parts, with other words interrupting between them.
It’s a practice dating back to Greek and Latin poets, used for emphasis and effect. As in “Some wannabe pedants are in-fuckin’-sufferable”
Thanks Really…… No really.
Pedant: A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.
Maybe I am the former and you the latter, or are we both just good at cutting and pasting from Google?
Forgive me, I am old now, and cringe at things like A whole nother, A ambulance, The animals, Our plan going forward and past tense reported in the present. I don’t think I am a pedant, just one who after years of driving the old highway, finds it confusing to drive the new, it feels to me to be somehow against the flow.
Workplace reference – I feel like the drinking culture in the media and advertising industry is so apparent because professionals in this industry are generally less paid than other professions and so one way businesses try keep staff content (or stress at a controllable level) is to encourage the consumption of alcohol (a perceived staff benefit).
Wouldn’t we rather reallocate that budget into initiatives that support wellbeing such as mental & physical health?
Let’s not even start on the cocaine usage and general drug culture in this industry. Just visit any agency’s Christmas party or industry event to witness that disaster in motion.
I kind of think we should start on that
Agree with this 100%. But not only does it impact our worklife but it’s left a whole litanny of ad people who’s response to a stressful situation is to reach for a drink to cope. I’d love to hear from the partners of ad people to hear how endless boozing has affected them
I personally love the drinking culture, but would certainly not shame anyone who didn’t want to get involved.
These days though F45 seems to be the new afterwork beers…
Working in an industry with basically zero job security, coupled with endless on demand articles regarding retrenchments, mergers, cost synergies, industry shifting, inequality, massive upper tier CEO pay packets and bonuses, or housing and mortgage stress, it’s no wonder we hit the tune out options like alcohol. It’s not just this industry that has problems, it’s a widespread issue.
Not to mention the above average consumption of drugs in the industry. If you didn’t see any drugs at your Christmas party then you were far too drunk to notice.
…..The Bagmen Cometh!
“While I’m not yet completely sure that alcohol is the culprit behind my back…”
Which renders the first six paragraphs as irrelevant. Talk about burying the lede.
Back on topic: imo, alcohol is only a problem if you let it become one. Of course, as you get older and more senior, it is easier to avoid or refuse, but personally I have no problem saying no to Friday night drinks. I could however see how younger staff may see this as a part of their job – networking/building team rapport/brown-nosing the bosses – if no other options are in place.
Final thought – sometimes drinks, especially if on the expense accounts, can be brilliant fun. Let’s not get too puritanical. As always, balance and moderation. Don’t let it become routine to the point that it starts being a necessity and stops being fun
I’m 20 years in, and I’d say it’s much better now than it was a decade or two ago. Which was arguably much better than the decades that proceeded it based on the stories told by the seniors I trained under.
However, it remains a high stress industry built mostly on the backs of underpaid young people with big dreams – of course they’re still hitting the booze.
Kudos for shining a light on this.
Let’s remember folks, that on any relative harms index, alcohol is by far the most harmful drug on both an individual and population level.
The. Most. Harmful.
And it’s a carcinogen (which no one wants to talk about).
That booze is the “lubricant” of the industry is a management failure, as they are failing in their duty of care to employees.
Alcohol is not the most harmful drug at an individual level. Pretty sure most employers would rather their staff have after work drinks than shoot up heroin…
Nah. Booze is worse: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2810%2961462-6/fulltext
Doh… read the report wrong. You’re right: Heroin more harmful to individual, but when added to ‘harm to others’ booze carries the day.
Winston Churchill began each day with a weak Johnnie Walker and water, served to him at around 8 am.
He would drink through the day, entertain generously at lunch and dinner, before retiring to his study at Chartwell at around 10 pm with a brandy balloon in one hand and a cigar in the other.
There, he would dictate up to 10,000 words to a shift of two stenographers to meet his obligations for articles and books, finishing at around 2.30 am.
In the 1930s he was probably the highest paid journalist in the world.
In 1953 he won the Nobel prize for literature.
He had to work to maintain his ‘pasha’ lifestyle supporting up to ten servants (cooks, valets, gardeners, driver, etc) as well his family, and an adored only son Randolph, who at 18 went out and bought a Rolls Royce, which his father promptly sent back.
During World War Two Churchill saved Britain from becoming a Nazi slave state, a fate which befell much of Europe.
Twice British prime minister, he lived to 90 and famously said, “I’ve taken more out of alcohol, than alcohol has taken out of me.”
…and look at the horrors he committed in other countries.
Churchill is no hero.
This is a brilliant side thread. Please keep it going. Next, anyone?
OK Rob, he may or may not have been a Hero, though in the minds of many who at the conclusion of WW2 retained their sovereignty and way of life, he was certainly considered above the average Joe.
Whilst pointing the finger and accusing, have you considered the horrors that were committed in other countries, particularly the countries who were his opposition in a war he did not start and in which he was expected to defend the home land?
Yeah, but he could handle his booze Rob.
What a man!
Pump your brakes son, that man’s a national treasure.
Richard your point is ridiculous. In fact what is your point?
I believe that Richard Craig is merely pointing out that Churchill achieved an incredible amount under extreme pressures, in spite of being a user of alcohol in what many would consider excessive quantities. Drinking alcohol, being a “lush”, and the condition we call Alcoholic, are three very different states of existence.
Dylan Thomas and Brendan Behan would both have made very interesting writers of copy, in spite of the demon drink …..or maybe because of it.
Never ceases to amaze me how people in the media industry continue to have their blinkers on to the outside world. There are many other industries out there that share the similarities of alcohol, drugs, and overworking low paid junior staffers, some to a far greater extent than seen in media. There are so many more real and pressing issues facing the long term viability of the industry today.
Jumping from the mining industry to media, you’d be hard pressed to spot any of this as a problem. Try drinking to fit in every day, 7 days a week, for four weeks, then coming home and trying to relax on your week off. You know there’s a culture problem when everyone is cheating on the morning breatho…
Not long ago I’d have skipped over this article entirely, but having stopped my (previously excessive) drinking 9 days ago, I was interested in reading it. You make a lot of good points.
11am first day at DDB London 1981 “Nip round and get us a bottle of whisky lad”. Things are getting better, but it’s slow progress.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. No drinking at work things. These people are your staff, not your mates. Stop making them drink with you.
Hold the meeting (or better yet just email everyone) during work hours rather than forcing people to drink with you rather than going home to people they actually want to see.
Bonus! This will also decrease the amount of sexual harassment at work…
I read with great interest your article. I myself chose the give up alcohol to support a friend who has a serious problem with it. He lasted 2 weeks. I kept at it, the longer I refrain the better I feel. I have lost 12 kgs in weight, have so much more energy, perform much better at work, no longer have those awfull hangovers and am proud of myself. BUT it is the season where eveyone else is partying, and I am always asked why am I not drinking. The choice of non-alcoholic drinks leaves a lot to be desired, not all of us like, coke or lemonade. So come on guys, leave us alone, we don’t constantly ask you why are you drinking!?
I agree with Tom, well done for writing about this. It’s a topic close to my heart. I quit alcohol 3.5 years ago because it was ruining my life, nearly lost it all. Thankfully I never felt the need to change industries or that I wasn’t doing my job properly. Yes there were major adjustments. Social nights out end earlier, but end with pride and dignity. Stronger connections are made because it’s your genuine self talking not the version masked by booze. The people around you soon get used to the idea and if they have any decency will support you in your decisions. Soon life completely sober becomes more normal and satisfying than any life with it.
*Thankfully when I quit I never felt the need to change industries or that I wasn’t doing my job properly.
Drinking and/or doing lines have been part of this game since the eighties. Not too much damage done. And what wonderful stories/lies we can tell. Josie you could have been a schoolteacher.
Honestly, it your personal responsibility to look after your health and set the boundaries that you choose. Don’t blame an industry and peer pressure.
@Denime , yup , some people make the effort, some people make excuses.
Yes of course it is Denimie, but why does the industry need to push alcohol so hard? And let’s be real, plenty of people are getting promotions due to being part of in-crowds (boys clubs) who go to the pub together.
It’s time for some brave companies to have a crack at an alternative way. I’m working with brave high level exec’s at the moment (been in the ad game 20plus years) on integrating a mindful approach to boozing. Put simply – consideration, accountability and reflection.
I was an ad intern once and loved all the partys. It felt like I’d gone from Uni to adult Uni but we were selling stuff.
This isn’t about stealing the beers (aka Google’s latest meltdown) it’s about being smarter drinkers which innevitably leads to smarter workers.
Any Brave people or companies? Give me a shout to discuss.
Either way, I’ll be coming to hang out and share a beer with you very soon.
Advertising is a grown-up industry! You are the adult, and the choices are yours to how you handle things. Don’t blame the fact that alcohol is available and enjoyed.
“… standing around without a drink in our hand feels wrong.” That’s your very immature reason. Maybe the industry is not for you if you are socially so frightened. Advertising has communication and social interaction as a major part of its operations. This sanctimonious preaching and criticism is more about people’s lack of maturity rather than the industry’s problem.
Part of me agrees … but a bigger part of me tho is that if you don’t want to drink don’t. If people are bugging you about it, laugh it off or ignore them or tell them you would appreciate it if they would give it a rest. Honestly is it really heavy pressure to drink or light rubbing that you could get past? Yes I have felt under a bit of pressure to party it up while at a work event (especially when I worked as a PR within an ad agency – double whammy) but I also controlled myself as I preferred to, drank when and as much as I wanted to, got smashed when it was what I wanted to do but also left earlier than most on many occasions and – oh wow! – it didn’t impact my career at all. So while part of me agrees that overall the industry could use a bit less focus on booze (though it is much better than it used to be), a bigger part of me says buck up and be responsible for your own self. Shake off the peer pressure. Speak up when necessary. And anyone making fun of someone for choosing not to drink, grow the hell up.