Here's how you can assess pursuing a leadership role in advertising at the mid-career level.

To pursue a leadership role in advertising at mid-career, start with a self-evaluation of your achievements and leadership potential. Seek feedback from peers and mentors, and assess your readiness for a strategic, people-focused role. Ensure your organization supports growth through mentorship and development programs. Present a clear, well-articulated case for your promotion to your supervisors, highlighting your strengths and vision.

When pursuing a leadership role in the advertising industry, examine your leadership skills first (communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, etc.). Then, focus on the success of your projects. Next, examine whether you have the ability to teach. Can you convey what you know to the team clearly and concisely? Will the team feel compelled to follow you? And most importantly, do you have keen listening skills? A strong leader leads best by listening and helping their team to find answers through self-discovery. When you have these skills figured out, go to your supervisor with a plan and ask for the promotion, outlining your skills, successes, and ability to listen to feedback. You'll be happy with the results.

Leadership skills: Do you inspire and guide others? Can you delegate tasks effectively? Strategic thinking: Can you see the big picture and develop winning ad campaigns? Communication pro: Can you clearly communicate ideas and motivate your team? Experience matters: Do you have a solid track record of success in advertising?

Do you have the skills? (Strategic thinking, communication, team management) Are you ready for the shift? (Less hands-on work, more strategy & people focus) Does your company support growth? (Leadership development programs, mentorship opportunities) Self-reflection is key!

Assess pursuing a leadership role in advertising by evaluating your experience, skills, and strengths in managing teams and projects. Seek feedback from mentors or supervisors on your leadership potential. Consider additional training or certifications in leadership and management. Evaluate your passion for guiding others and handling strategic responsibilities. Ensure alignment with career goals and readiness for increased responsibilities and challenges.

I saw a lot of people make the promotion jump during COVID - leaders were in high demand and there was room to train someone new in the role. The leaders who surfaced had a strong handle on industry trends, consumer needs, and client makegoods.

With the region's digital advertising market expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2023 to 2028, reaching $350 billion by 2028 , opportunities are vast for leaders who can navigate digital trends and consumer behavior. For instance, Ogilvy's rebranding success in China through leveraging local culture and digital channels highlights the value of culturally attuned leadership . Additionally, the shift by Indian e-commerce giants like Flipkart towards personalized advertising strategies underscores the need for leaders adept at integrating tech and consumer insights .

Many leaders are happy to share their experience, and mentor you - but you have to make it easy for them to say yes. Whether that is providing clear availability (skip the calendar link, or the "what works for you?"), or popping by their office with coffee each time you have a career pathing question.