Step Change Marketing launches ‘Wankers That Don’t Work Here’ recruitment campaign
Every major industry’s saddled with stereotypes: lawyers are heartless, bankers are money-hungry and clowns are downright terrifying. So it’s no surprise the advertising world is just as riddled with clichés and hackneyed typecasting…except of course that with every stereotype comes an element of truth. That’s the thinking behind the cheeky recruitment drive of growing Sydney start-up consultancy firm Step Change Marketing and their ‘Wankers That Don’t Work Here’ campaign.
“We wanted to attract staff who love the industry but hate the politics, egos and rigid, demarcated roles of the big agencies,” explained Step Change’s general manager, Geoff Cooper (left). “It’s ridiculous to the point of offensive that only ‘creatives’ are capable of great ideas or that only ‘suits’ know how to talk to clients, so we’re looking for people to do both in the one role; something we’ve called ‘Creative Solutions’.”
And creative solutions is what this video’s all about. Rather than spending tens of thousands of dollars on corporate recruiters and advertising, the team decided to go straight to the source with an amusing piece that deliberately cuts very close to the bone. “The one great thing about wankers is that they need no explanation, so we were able to forego the traditional recruitment channels and approach candidates in a far more direct way. Ours is a pretty simple message: wankers don’t work here, so do you want to?”
It’s a message that’s already paid dividends, since the writer of the film subsequently signed on with the company after being drawn to its flexible and performance-based approach to work.
As an added bonus, the money saved on the campaign will instead go into higher salaries for the successful applicants.
So how does Cooper feel about making fun of the industry? “It’s a bit like throwing rocks at a beehive”, he replied. “You might get stung, but there’s honey in there as well.”
If you’re interested in working with an agency that’s young and thinking of things differently download the job description and then submit your resume to jobs@stepchangemarketing.com
The wankers below are available for talent requests. Enquire on the above address.
Creative credits:
Script: Tom Glasson
Director: Dan Ilic
Cast:
General Manager: Jeff Cooper (as himself)
HR Director: Tom Glasson
ALAN (Creative) – Cale Bain
SIMON (Planning) – Phil Willis
JESS (Production) – Megan Ormsby
ANTOINE (Account Manager) – Steve Lynch
CLIVE (Senior Manager)- Greg Flynn
19 Comments
no one is going to work there now
So you’re after a suit and creative all in one? You’ll end up with someone pretty average at both. Jack of all trades, master of none as they say. Instead of being cheap, why don’t you fork out the extra cash and hire two people who are actually experts in their respective fields. I would never hire a creative who claimed to be a sort-of-suit too. Do one thing, do it really well, and yeah, don’t be a wanker. That bit’s true for sure.
Good luck with that boys. Hope you didn’t invest too much into the venture.
I think the interviewers are the biggest wankers
Charlie sheen interview was better.
Good on ’em for trying something different at least.
Why the sports jackets?? You are the wankers!
I’d hire her! she’s a cutie
You can tell he’s not a real creative. There’s no spinning in Foosball.
I’ve got just the candidates for you – free of charge.
Just go head-hunt Billy, Alison and Amanda from D&D Advertising on Melrose Place
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKDiy5WKNnY
Unfortunately “Step Change” is one of the wankiest buzzwords going around. Fail.
What a bunch of self serving drivel.
Two wet behind the ears wankers thinking they are going to do something different and they have the answer of ‘no wankers work here’. Interesting point of difference, saying that the industry you chose to work in is full of wankers.
I can see them reviewing this internally with their hands on their cocks, oh wanking??
Shit like this makes my ring sting.
Hi guys – yep you got it, specializations is very important and we (I
work at Step Change) recognize the need for specialist Creatives and
Strategist. We like to put a lead on the account from either
discipline (depending on what the client needs), and have them
partnered with someone who either balances the team or is very strong
in either discipline and can work more closely with the client. Yes
it’s new, yes there is a risk it might not work… And we’re having
some fun trying something new. Thanks though you have a point which is
why the recruitment has been tough. He’s hoping. Thanks for the feedback.
Step Change Guys:
A little free advice.
There’s a whole heap of older ex-agency creatives who got very, very good at EVERYTHING.
If you’ve carved out a good career in this business as a writer/CD, more often than not you’ve gotten very good at strategy, very good at client interface, and very good at creative problem solving.
But agencies throw these guys out once they get a bit old, because they no longer fit the mould. Not complaining about that, it’s just the way the current model works.
Point is: there’s a whole bunch of extremely experienced people out there you could tap into. And they’d probably come for less than you’d expect, because they’ve been shunned by an industry that in this country at least, is pretty ageist.
If you’re happy to have a bit of grey hair around the place, I reckon you could make a fortune off of these guys.
But trying to find a young, talented creative who can also think strategically and deal with the kind of real-world client stuff that a small shop like yours will have to deal with on a daily basis… you’ll need more than a web film. You’ll need a miracle.
Why the dig at production? I would not be too hasty at dismissing all specialties in your new shop or you will run the risk of all future communication continuing to look like amateur hour.
11:15am — And I thought it was just me. Truer words have never been written. This is the huge, hidden tragedy behind this industry. It’s a bloody enormous waste of talent, resources and experience. Kids, this is what the future holds for you.
Hey Jeff or Geoff?
Perhaps you should try and find some PR people who can spell your name right?
how the hell does this shit even get posted on campaign brief? we need standards, c’mon guys…
At least this one was MEANT to be funny.
Jeff’s previous work was hilarious but presumably this was unintentional: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq2cX9Zeckw
OMG. WTF. SCM. Sorry Step Change Marketing.
Guys common, whose gonna work at a place where the constant concern would be who the hell is going to be paying the bills? It certainly wont be clients.. maybe mum n dad? Campaign Brief, come on… sort your stuff out … this is complete drivel.