The current show (an excerpt is in the image above) is curated by Steve Dietz and features the work of Vuk Cosic, Graham Harwood, Lisa Jevbratt, Jodi, Jennifer and Kevin McCoy, Melinda Rackham, Vivian Selbo, and Paul Sermon.

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2. Add-Art is now Firefox 3 compatible!
3. Intro to Add-Art

Read Sarah’s tale of how she was sucked into the advertising industry vortex and how she escaped!

Sarah Gibble’s Application Letter

I never wanted to be in the advertising industry. Let’s face it, who does? Yet I somehow found myself among the myriad of NYC ad slaves, waking up in the morning, throwing my phone against the wall because my alarm, that dreadful thing, was screaming at me to get up, put on stuffy clothes, and jump through hoops for nine hours. A countless number of days were spent reminding myself to drop my shoulders that now seemed permanently tensed and trying to figure out how the hell I got myself into this predicament.

I’ll tell you exactly how it started. I wasn’t paying attention. My major in college was sports and entertainment media. After taking an Introduction to Media Production class during my sophomore year, I fell in love with the audio aspect of it. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a rock star (or an actress or pediatrician…ever the Gemini, I hadn’t quite decided). I had a fake microphone with these wicked strobe lights that blared in my face when I stepped on the pedal, and really accented my wig made out of brightly colored bicycle streamers. I was fully convinced that Cyndi Lauper had nothing on me as I did my best impressions for an audience of 2-4 (always my parents, sometimes my brother and sister). When I was 9 I started playing the flute. That hobby has stayed with me ever since and I was and still am quite good at it, yet sadly my adolescent dreams of living in New York working as an usher in a Broadway theater only to be discovered singing on stage while no one was there and forced into overcoming my stagefright because the production just –had- to have me; never quite came true. This brings me back to the Media Production class. When we got to the audio aspect of it, I learned that I was able to leave my creative mark without having to be in the spotlight: through recording, editing, and sound design. I quickly decided that I would minor in Audio Production, to make sure this was really what I hoped it would be. Fast forward to my senior year, totally engrossed Audio, and realizing I still have to do an internship for my major…sports…as a last minute effort I was able to get this gig with a basketball team at a neighboring school…doing ad sales for the games. “Whatever” I thought. “I’m going to do audio anyways, as long as I fulfill this requirement, who cares.

I graduated and quickly came to the cruel reality that I, with my fresh new degree and mile-long list of student loans, had to move back home until I found a job. I looked everywhere. Every job involving music or sports I looked at. 2 months went by and the reality that I was still working at Auntie Annes sunk deep with in the worry-folds of my mind. I became less specific in my job search and more eager to take anything that would get me out of my house and into the “real” world. When I finally got the call in mid October asking if I would come for an interview ad an advertising sales company in NYC, I nearly fell out of my seat. “It doesn’t matter if I don’t want to do this for a living,” I thought. “This is a great way to get me to New York so I can have a career in audio, so what the hell.” I got the job packed my bags kissed mom and dad goodbye and was on my way.

Nearly three years later, I have still been here at the same company telling myself “this is only temporary.” I never thought I would be in this job 8 months, let alone 3 years.

What I hate most about the advertising industry is the extreme amount of fear that prevails throughout the company and drives it to push harder harder harder. Not in the good, Olympic athlete in training if I just stretch my legs pump my arms faster harder I’ll shave 3 seconds off my time and win the gold, harder. Moreso the oh my god what the hell am I going to do if I don’t find a media buyer who is available to go to this dinner with me and my bosses boss I am going to look like a complete buffoon so I must sit here with a list of names to call pretending each one I call was the first and only person I wanted to come with me, harder. It’s the carotid artery about to burst yet never does, fully. It’s the nervous leg shake and completely gray head of hair at 32 that my boss has acquired. It’s the need to put women down to feel powerful and speak in unnecessary volumes into a headset that is worn at all times, even in the bathroom that my other boss has acquired. It’s those tense shoulders, the impatient sighs and the hurried walk I have acquired knowing that if I swipe my building id a minute late, they will know, because they get a monthly chart of my swipe in times, eager to find a flaw.

Sadly the three years I have spent in this industry have not produced many accolades. I started of as an executive assistant and was promoted within 7 months to a slightly loftier title, a 1% raise, and the luxury of having two new bosses instead of the one I had before. The only real show of my talents are the hundreds of powerpoint presentations I had made to show our clients how wonderful our company is. This was the only area in which I was allowed to add some of my creative input, and even though my work was praised heavily by clients and coworkers alike, I was still reminded that my work was insignificant and would most certainly be glazed over. “Remember, you’re painting a wall, Sarah; not a Picasso.” This was a daily reminder from my employers not to take too much time doing anything I actually enjoy.

Because I was in advertising sales and not the agency side, Neither I nor my colleagues ever worked on campaigns, so I unfortunately cannot begin to describe the sleaziest. However, I have been witness to and have heard stories of some unspeakable things account executives and sales managers will do to and for media buyers to close a sale. There have been those who, in fear of losing their job due to budget cuts or lack of talent, would go to higher levels of the corporate beast and offer themselves sexually to those who could secure their employment. There are those who will travel hundreds of miles to treat their clients to a night of fine dining, tons of alcohol, and a hotel room blow-job on the company dime. These are obviously some of the more extreme cases. On a regular basis however, a different kind of corporate barter system occurs. Expensive gifts are sent at whim, and shame no longer exists. I have actually heard an employee say “ I would roll over like a dog for that money”. It’s no wonder I felt like I was losing a little part of myself more and more each day.

Yet for some reason I continued to work there, and work hard for this company. I was frequently at the office long after everyone else had gone home, hoping that in the end, my hard work would pay off somehow. At the very least I hoped that those who I slaved for would stand up for me should my work or work ethic ever be called into question. This hope came crashing down the day I was told I would not be receiving my quarterly bonus, due to a “miscommunication error” on my bosses part. They had forgotten to mention something I needed to do as a requirement to receive my bonus, and did not fight HR to get me the stipend that I greatly depended on and that they looked at as pocket change. Visibly angry, I went to HR myself and was able to salvage half of the bonus, yet the little confidence I had in my employers was gone forever. Seeing how angry I was, they apologized for the “misunderstanding” and gave me a speech advising me not to walk around with a chip on my shoulder but rather to look inside myself to see what I could have done differently. “Sarah, you are a square peg and this company is a round hole. When that situation occurs, you need to conform to fit the image of the company if you want to succeed here.”

That night, I sent out a heartfelt cover letter and resume attachment to 100 different post production audio houses in New York. It took me all night, but the events of the day had given me the push I needed to put my passion in front of my obligation. I realized that I didn’t want to round myself off to fit the shape of the company. I needed a square company, and the urgency of my creative needs could no longer be ignored. I wanted to be doing audio, and I was tired of having to wait until I returned from my day job to pursue my passion. I was tired of having to muster up the motivation to work creatively when my eyelids were fighting sleep. I wanted to work creatively all day.

When I got an email back from one of the post production houses, I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for. I went on the interview and immediately felt a comfortable connection with the owners. I am now happy to report I have taken a job with this company, I no longer have to groan, roll my eyes, and say with exasperation, “I work in advertising sales” when people ask me what I do for a living. Nowadays when people ask me what I do, I light up and gush, “I’m the studio director for a post production audio house. I’m making a lot less money and I had to go on my boyfriend’s insurance plan to make it work, and I’m loving every second of it.” I never realized how unhappy I was in advertising until I freed myself from it. Like a bad relationship, I had forgotten who I was, and was so used to my current situation that I was afraid to try anything else. And now that I’m out of it, I can’t imagine ever going back.

Suck it, Ad Industry.

• Sarah Gibble

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If you’ve been waiting for Add-Art to work in Firefox 3, now is the time to update.

Introduction to Add-Art from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

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Eyebeam
September 19, 7PM
540 W. 21st St.

Panelists: Josh Greene, Service-Works; Geraldine Juárez, Tanda Foundation; Joanna Spitzner, JS Foundation. Moderated by Abigail Satinsky and Ben Schaafsma of InCUBATE and Sunday Soup Granting Fund.

Followed by the Anti-Advertising Agency (Anne Elizabeth Moore and Eyebeam senior fellow Steve Lambert) Foundation for Freedom 2008 Award ceremony and after-party, just in time for New York Ad Week!

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1. Announcing: One Lucky Former Ad Pro to Take Home Giant Check from 2008 AAAFFF Awards Celebration
2. Announcing: The 2008 AAAFFF Awards Celebration
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ANNOUNCING: ONE LUCKY FORMER AD PRO TO TAKE HOME GIANT CHECK FROM THE 2008 ANTI-ADVERTISING AGENCY FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM AWARD CELEBRATION Gala Event on September 19 to Grant One Lucky Ad Industry Creative Freedom, Giant Check

CHICAGO— Anti-Advertising Agency Foundation For Freedom (AAAFFF) Award judges today finalized their selection in the extended process of choosing the single applicant most worthy of the 2008 AAAFFF award money, giant novelty check, and September 19th celebration.

The ceremony in New York City, will kick off “Advertising Week” by honoring the freedom of one of the most forward-thinking creative professionals in the US, recently released from the extensive bonds of giant paychecks, daily deception, and constant commercial pressure to bring in ever-higher profits for products and services increasingly losing performance power. This single honoree will receive all accrued funds—currently at $700—integrity, the opportunity to network with the most brilliant noncommercial creatives working today, and a giant novelty check. Additionally, co-founders Steve Lambert and Anne Elizabeth Moore will sing a special song to the honoree while wearing fancy attire.

“I can’t believe the number of applicants we received,” Anti-Advertising Agency’s CEO Steve Lambert states. “After all, we’re only offering $700! Who knew so many advertisers still cared first and foremost about creativity, service, and the deplorable state of the nation?”

The Friday evening gala will celebrate one lucky former ad pro’s future in noncommercial creativity and offer networking opportunities with working artists and potential artistic funders.

“Our original goals, to respond to the increasing commercialization of public space, human relationships, journalism and art by decreasing the number of individuals working in the advertising, marketing, and PR industries, were certainly about creating an environment where the relevance of advertising in a tanking economy would be questioned,” AAAFFF Executive Director Anne Elizabeth Moore states.

“But we never expected that we would also find love—the love of former ad pros for their fellow countrymen,” Moore continues.

The fund is seeded with hard-earned cash from creative endeavors, initiated by Lambert and Moore. The co-founders also judged the applications and chose the honoree for the September 19 gala. Hundreds of individuals across the country have donated to the fund, expressing a strong desire to decrease commercialization of the public sphere in any way possible.

Further donations—financial and non-financial—will be encouraged and accepted up until the event date of September 19.

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2. Official Foundation for Freedom Press Release
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We here at AAAFFF HQ have received many late-coming queries as regards the 2008 Anti-Advertising Agency Foundation For Freedom Award—and our deadline is only one week away!

Therefore, I, the Executive Director of the AAAFFF, will attempt to answer the most frequent of these asked questions, to save you necessary minutes that could otherwise be spent hatching your getaway scheme.

1. We will accept your application form, when complete, via email. However, all essay questions must be responded to in full, and additional materials (CV; Pay stub or business card from previous job or confirmed and dated registration as a college major in the field of advertising, marketing, or PR; and proof of new occupation or confirmed and dated registration in a college major unrelated to advertising or PR) must be submitted via PDF by midnight September 1, 2008 to the email address: FFF (at) antiadvertisingagency dot com.

2. You are required to leave your position or all freelancing gigs in corporate advertising and while we do not require that we are BCCed on your letter of resignation, we will look kindly upon it.

3. If your pet has starred in a pet food commercial, but has never been directly employed by an advertising, marketing, or PR firm, your pet is not eligible for the 2008 AAAFFFA. If your pet is currently a marketing manager or ad pro in some other capacity, you must complete the application form in full on their behalf, and provide proof that the animal is willing to leave his or her position. Do not leave the application to your dog or cat! Animals are notoriously bad at completing award applications in a timely manner.

4. If your plans for the $700 prize money are really cool, please outline them in detail.

5. Our judges look kindly upon flattery, as well as gifts and event invitations. If your plans for the $700 prize money are that cool, you should invite us to the opening, celebration, or event. That’s just good manners, but we also love a good party.

6. No, it is not too late to donate money, skills training workshops, or frequent flier miles to the 2008 AAAFFFA. Just click here for more information.

7. Further information about our September 19 gala event first announced here will be forthcoming. Unfortunately, the gala event is for applicants only. If you wish to attend, you will have to complete an application.

8. Applications are available here.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us.

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2. AAAFFF up 35% in first 2 weeks
3. Announcing: The 2008 AAAFFF Awards Celebration

We here at the AAAFFF did some research on second careers. What if Albert Einstein stuck it out with his job as a patent clerk? If Billie Holiday remained a maid who hummed while she worked, or Duke Ellington stayed a peanut vendor at Washington Senators’ games ‘till the day he died? I’m sure Henry Rollins would still be a great manager at Baskin Robbins. And if anarchist/feminist Emma Goldman had been able to keep shoving all her misgivings deep down inside, maybe one day she’d have made manager at that garment factory. Henry Miller, it is rumored, gave up fantastic benefits (the fresh air!) when he left the bike-messenger industry. Barbara Walters, one of the most respected journalists in our lifetimes, was once a publicist. Che Guevara could easily have retired on his income as a doctor.

But where would we be then? And where will we be if you don’t leave your job?

Clearly, the time to act is now. There are only two weeks left to apply for the 2008 AAAFFFA, and to make it just a tiny bit easier for you, we’ve created yet another handy tool for your personal use: The Clip ’n’ Send Letter of Resignation!

To use the Clip ’n’ Send Letter of Resignation, simply replace the text in all-caps with your own information, and send along to your boss, supervisor or HR department.

Don’t forget to BCC the FFF at AntiAdvertisingAgency dot com, and insert flattering comments about us for especial consideration!

The Clip ’n’ Send Letter of Resignation

YOU
YOUR STREET ADDRESS
YOUR CITY STATE AND ZIP CODE
YOUR COUNTRY


THE DATE


THE ADVERTISING, MARKETING, OR PR FIRM WHERE YOU WORK
STREET ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
COUNTRY


Dear Sirs or Madams,

I am writing today to post my two-week’s notice at [YOUR FIRM OR AGENCY].

I can no longer bear to apply my problem-solving skills, creative flair, wit, charm, and hard-won integrity to increase the sales of [HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS/MEDICAL DEVICES/CARDBOARD BOXES] and [ITEMS OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/SODA/ATHLETIC WEAR]. I do appreciate that your excessive dedication to consumer awareness of such goods and services has inspired me lo these many [YEARS/MONTHS/DAYS] and wish you good luck in pursuit of your goal of [X-NUMBER OF DOLLARS SALES INCREASE OVER PREVIOUS YEARS/MARKETPLACE DOMINATION/YEAR-END BONUS LARGE ENOUGH FOR SUMMER HOME DOWN PAYMENT]. I feel sure, somehow, that you can achieve your dreams.

Still, you will have to do so without me. I am a brilliant thinker flush with creative talent interested in changing the world—not changing what it buys. I’m leaving your employ, therefore, and pursuing work [AS A JOURNALIST/IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE SECTOR/OF MY OWN CREATION]. By divorcing my creative output from commercial interests, I am reinvesting in the notion that one person can make a difference. Without corporate backing. These are, after all, the principles that [YOUR COUNTRY] was founded on: freedom and self-determination.

Which brings me to my point. In leaving this position, and the exploitative industry in which it is housed, I am eligible for an exciting new funding initiative from the Anti-Advertising Agency’s Foundation For Freedom. By filling out their AAAFFFA Kit—a short, enjoyable form I urge you to download now—I put myself in the running to:

1) Win accrued funds in the realm now of $700; 2) Be honored at a gala event on September 19; 3) Network with like-minded noncommercial creatives working for real social change; and 4) Receive a giant novelty check. Giant!

The cubicle-mates I will leave behind in two short weeks can attest to my deep-seated and long-held desires to be awarded a giant novelty check. They will be less likely to admit—although we discuss it frequently during smoke breaks, coffee runs, and at the bar—their own deep-seated jealousies that I will be finally leaving this inhumane environment and long-held rage built up by corrupting the public trust for personal profit.

So as eager as I am to leave your employ, I have no desire to discontinue our working relationship. Please, won’t you join me in going after a creative world-changing work environment unhindered by obsessive profit tallies, occasionally dishonest claims, and regular violations of state and federal laws?

I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]

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ANNOUNCING THE 2008 ANTI-ADVERTISING AGENCY FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM AWARD CELEBRATION

September 19 Soiree to Celebrate One Lucky Ad Industry Creative Freedom, Giant Check

CHICAGO—The long-awaited Anti-Advertising Agency Foundation For Freedom (AAAFFF) Award Ceremony, to honor the freedom of one of the most forward-thinking and creative professionals in the US, is set for September 19 at an undisclosed location in New York City. The private celebration will be open to all AAAFFF applicants and one single honoree, who will receive all accrued funds, integrity, the opportunity to network with noncommercial creatives, and a giant novelty check.

AAAFFF Award Audience

The Friday evening gala will kick off one lucky former ad pro’s future in noncommercial creativity. “We’re really excited to start working with her or him,” AAAFFF Executive Director Moore states. “The creative talents of these individuals have so many immediate and tangible applications: tamping the escalation toward another war with Iran, advocating for immigrants’ rights, creating health services for veterans, educating our nation’s youth. There’s no end to the amazing work that could be done when we stop focusing on product sales!”

The 2008 AAAFFF Award responds to the increasing commercialization of public space, human relationships, journalism and art by decreasing the number of individuals working in industries that directly support these goals. “We wish we could honor all the former advertisers eager to leave their careers,” states Steve Lambert, CEO of the AAA. “Response to our programming has been overwhelming!”

The fund is seeded with hard-earned cash from creative endeavors, donated by Lambert and AAAFFF Executive Director Anne Elizabeth Moore, who will also judge the applications and chose the honoree for the September 19 gala. Hundreds of individuals across the country have donated to the fund, expressing a strong desire to decrease commercialization of the public sphere in any way possible.

Further donations—financial and non-financial—are encouraged and accepted.

Application forms are available now at the Anti-Advertising Agency’s website, and must be typed and postmarked September 1, 2008.

# # #

The mission of the Anti-Advertising Agency Foundation for Freedom is to bring the best and brightest former ad pros together once a year; inspire young people to leave the craft; focus the industry and public at large on the profoundly negative social and economic impacts of advertising; inspire problem-solving methods focused on the most important issues facing the real world; and shine a light on the influence that advertising, media, and marketing industries have on dwindling public space, atrophying human relationships, and the destruction of democracy.

Related posts:

1. Official Foundation for Freedom Press Release
2. AAAFFF up 35% in first 2 weeks
3. Foundation For Freedom announces grant program: The 2008 AAAFFFA

We’d like to thank you for your dedicated support and attendance during the last month. You’ve helped us accomplish:

• An 11% raise in funds over the initial investment donated by Steve and I, to be awarded one lucky advertiser for leaving the industry!
• Targeted outreach to Chicago’s top 50 ad agencies!
• A 400% increase in joy in the advertisers whose lives we touched while narrowly avoiding bonking them with footballs downtown.
• The creation of a flyer, to be posted along Madison avenue–or wherever you want!–describing our services (see below)
• The Cut’N'Paste Ad Responder–soon to be a widget maybe!
• A greater awareness of the possibilities of non-commercial fields!
• A full day of skills-training workshops over our Weekend of Independence!

So, thanks! We couldn’t have done it without you! But there are still ways to be involved:

• Consider joining the AAA mailing list!
• Write us a testimonial!
• Be a fan of us on this website!
• Donate frequent flier miles, skills training workshops, or money!

And, of course:

• Apply today!

(Applications are due September 1.)

Thanks so much for your support of our important mission. Feel free to keep in touch!

Sincerely,

Anne Elizabeth Moore
Executive Director
Foundation For Freedom

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Now, you’re probably aware that you’re under no obligation to respond to such requests for free or underpaid labor—unless you’re really desperate for money, in which case I’d start billing the agencies the industry standard rate of $45 per hour—and saying “no thanks” can get a little old.

So here at the AAAFFF, we’ve developed a simple tool—a form letter, really—to respond to such offers. And instead of requesting the advertisers give us free or underpaid labor, we’re offering them the Anti-Advertising Agency Foundation For Freedom Award!

We’re posting our letter here for you to cut, paste, and send. Feel free to personalize it—and let us know how it works!

Dear Advertiser / Marketer / PR Person,

So great to hear from you!

Thank you for your kind offer to host your content on my site, in either a paid or volunteer capacity. Surely I will regret turning it down, because it certainly does seem like a fantastic opportunity!

Please don’t feel rejected. There are still several online venues available for you to legally and ethically pursue the wider audience you feel your product, event, or service deserves—without the trouble of chasing down individual bloggers or site owners! Two of the more popular are the Yellow Pages and Craigslist. Many local newspapers also offer affordable rates you may wish to look into. (One helpful hint I like to pass along is, if you are surfing the net and come across a site you like, check to see if they offer ad rates, usually noted by a link marked “advertising”!)

Maybe, though, this email comes at a bad time for you. Perhaps the legal and ethical problems plaguing advertising today have begun to gnaw. Likely, you always wanted to do something more fulfilling and creative with your life—and I can help!

My friends at the Anti-Advertising Agency Foundation For Freedom just might pay you cash money, throw you a big party in New York City, and award you a giant novelty check if you quit your job!

Plus, they’ll help you network with creatives in noncommercial fields and assist you in putting your talents to good use to help solve real-world problems! The application is easy, and you have plenty of time—it’s not due until September 1! Just download it here.

Or perhaps the problem runs deeper than that, and the legal and ethical issues the ad industry raises simply do not concern you. I completely understand. Maybe you’d be more comfortable making a donation, or forwarding the application link along to your colleagues in the industry. Now could be the time for you to weed out a bit of the competition!

Well, thanks again—It’s been great talking with you!

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME HERE]

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