If you're like us, you've noticed some chatter going on in our comments section here about
freelancers organizing a union.
This seems unlikely since none of us wish to give up the conceit that we are highly regarded professionals and concede that we are mere wage apes.
Besides, the only good reason to have a union is to strike for higher wages and/or benefits, and that sort of brinksmanship would only play havoc on all our insecurities about a younger, cheaper work force coming in to take our Wacom pens from our cold, arthritic hands.
So our advice is to just shut up, assume the position and be ready for May Day - and no, we are not referring to the May 1st celebration of the International Workers' Day, but to May 1, 2010 when Blue Cross Anthem doubles the premiums for individual policies.
In the meantime, you can satisfy your morbid curiosity at GlassDoor.com where they are attempting to provide some transparency in salaries for Art Directors.
Scroll to the bottom to click on links to salaries for Senior Art Director, Junior, Interactive, etc.
Isn't a union based on trust and mutual respect of it's members?
Good luck trying to organize a group of backstabbing, concept thievin', petty, ageist, ego-driven, opportunistic art directors...
Posted by: Norman Rae | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 09:52 AM
But Edwina says we are all brothers and sisters in the ad jungle!
Posted by: Professional Wage Ape | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Less Karl Marx. More Charles Darwin.
Posted by: fully-justified billing blockhead | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Less Charles Darwin. More Charles Nelson Reilly.
Posted by: Douche Bigalow | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Less Karl. More Groucho.
Posted by: John Lenin | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Less Groucho. More Zeppo.
Posted by: Mister Magoo | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Arbeit macht frei? That will end in tears.
Posted by: Boozey Flapjack | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:33 PM
"Arbeit macht freilance"
Posted by: Sir Freelancelot | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 02:05 PM
I think the term Freelancer goes back to medieval mercenaries. Bit ironic the idea of unionizing soldiers of fortune, no?
Posted by: HenryII | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Actually...The term was first used by Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) in Ivanhoe to describe a "medieval mercenary warrior" or "free-lance" (indicating that the lance is not sworn to any lord's services, not that the lance is available free of charge). It changed to a figurative noun around the 1860s and was recognized as a verb in 1903 by authorities in etymology such as the Oxford English Dictionary. Only in modern times has the term morphed from a noun (a freelance) into an adjective (a freelance journalist), a verb (a journalist who freelances) and an adverb (she worked freelance), and then the noun "freelancer."
Posted by: Wikipedinmypants | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 03:57 PM
I use it strictly as a pejorative.
Posted by: Donald The Draper | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 06:44 PM
Has anyone's company gone through layoffs again or threats of more salary cuts? Or do we feel like the worst is over?
Posted by: Inquiring Minds | Friday, March 12, 2010 at 09:05 AM
According to Glass Door, I can make around $150k as a Sr Art Director at Crew. Where do I sign?
Posted by: crispy frog | Friday, March 12, 2010 at 12:39 PM
LOL, the Gong Show
http://tinyurl.com/yewwszm
Posted by: Chuck Barris | Friday, March 12, 2010 at 02:55 PM
These Glass Door numbers - taken largely from traditional advertising agencies - seem to have little connection to motion picture advertising.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Friday, March 12, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Motion picture advertising is more of a Back Door situation...
Posted by: Reech A. Rownd | Friday, March 12, 2010 at 05:25 PM
I've heard rumors about the identity of Edwina Trout.
Posted by: m. | Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 08:50 PM
http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/theme/edwina+mckenzie/
Miss Edwina Celia Trout was born in Bath on 8 July 1884.
She boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second class passenger (ticket number 34218, £10 10s.)
When the ship hit the iceberg, she left her cabin to investigate. Being told of the iceberg, she went on deck and saw lifeboats being uncovered and prepared for loading.
She came upon two of her table companions, Jacob Milling and Edgar Andrew.
"What is the trouble, Miss Trout?" asked Milling, "What does it all mean?" "A very sad parting for all of us!" she replied. "This ship is going to sink."
Miss Trout was rescued in lifeboat 16. She later recalled hearing the ship's band playing Nearer My God to Thee in the ship's last moments.
She later filed a claim against White Star Line for a marmalade machine valued at 8s 5d.
Posted by: James "King Of The World" Cameron | Monday, March 15, 2010 at 08:24 AM
pay no attention to that woman behind the burqa.
Posted by: the wizard of awes | Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11:48 AM