The case for optimism: Why our industry needs positivity now more than ever

From global affairs to a local outlook, the news cycle isn’t exactly cheery at the moment. But as GumGum’s newly appointed managing director, Australia, Matt Coote writes, that’s even more reason to celebrate the positive things that are happening and to play a part in initiatives for good.

Spend five minutes scrolling LinkedIn or skimming headlines in our trade press and you'd be forgiven for thinking the sky is falling.

Redundancies. Restructures. Agency consolidation. Flat or backwards marketing budgets. It’s a tough cycle we’re in and for many people in our industry, it’s their day-to-day reality. I know many talented individuals - people who are passionate about their craft - who have found themselves suddenly out of a job. And around them, teams are increasingly stretched and leaders are dealing with mounting pressure to deliver ROI.

Let me say this first and foremost: if you're one of the many currently navigating a redundancy or in search of a job, my heart is with you. This piece is not designed to gloss over your experience or pretend it’s business as usual. It clearly isn’t.

But after many recent conversations with my peers, mentors and teammates about the state of the industry, one theme kept surfacing. We all agreed that a little more positivity is needed at present. A reminder of what still makes our roles, and this community, special.

I have recently been fortunate enough to take part in some brilliant initiatives that highlight this very thing. Firstly, there was a fantastic event hosted by The Village, which zeroed in on how career progression and parenting can co-exist. The panel shared what it’s like to balance our roles, while being part of the ‘sandwich generation’, who are managing both up and down with young children and ageing parents.

The next night, I was challenged and inspired by the unwavering work of industry charity UnLtd, which put on its annual Adland Bail Out. There’s no sugar-coating it, this is a sobering event that makes you grateful for what you have, while also focusing on the harsh realities for underprivileged youth in detention. Those who support it are raising money for the worthiest of causes.

These events are reminders that, away from the headlines, our industry is still deeply connected and full of people who genuinely care.

It’s not lost on me that we are fortunate to play a role in shaping culture and dreaming up ideas that genuinely make an impact. We get to work with some of the brightest, weirdest, most passionate people you’ll ever meet. And even when times are tough, that magic doesn’t just disappear.

That’s why I’d encourage everyone in a position of influence to think about what they can do to make a meaningful difference. Hire that person who’s been on the bench itching to get back in. Share that job lead. Recommend a colleague. Champion the work that lifts others up. And get behind industry events that are a force for good.

It takes five minutes to reach out to someone doing it tough. But it will probably mean more than you know. And on the flipside, if you’re in a tough spot, reach out to those you trust or those who might be able to lend a hand. People are almost always more likely to help out than you think.

And to those at the coalface, I’d also say: don’t take it for granted. Pour your energy into building something better, not just for your agency or your clients, but for the people coming next.

Let’s get behind each other and be generous. If we lead with positivity and kindness we’ll continue to build the industry we want to be part of.