Adbusters and new young radicals

In the year 2006 I took part in finnish adbusters competition called "Mainoskupla". At that point I had been in advertising about a year or so, and I had no relevant education. Actually I drew this one by myself. I´m truly sorry about comic sans, but that was a part of joke. Guess what? I didn't win. But this year with similar idea somebody won price in amateur serie of Mainoskupla: Bitch. Oh yeah. I was good as an amateur...or maybe I'm a rolemodel. :D

In that same year 2006 I figured that I need more knowledge and education. So I took part in first class of copywriters in Institute of Marketing. From that same class has become many new talented and ambitious junior copywriters. I'm always happy to see them getting in the industry, or success in competitions. They work now in all the best agencies in Finland.

Nowadays I have more experience, but I think I'm still green. I feel that is a good thing, I will learn and my point of view is fresh. I don't know if there is a kind of cap between generations, but if you read finnish advertising magazines and blogs, you find the cap, and from the conversation behind them, you find lack of respect in attitudes, both sides.

So here are my thoughts:

Youngsters: It's not your fault to be young and fierce. You'll grow up. Someday you might be even BIG. Just respect older designers and co-workers and try to learn from them. I was lucky to get good mentors in the beginning of my career, and I'm eternally grateful of that. (Some name dropping: Micke Silén, Markku Rönkkö, Hannu Konttinen)

Professionals: Guess what, those young bastards did not came to steal your clients, they are more like worshipping you and your knowledge. Share it, listen, ask from them, so you get also something back. Insight of next generation. So you know even more. Knowledge is power. Keep your heart open to youngsters, if you are not young at heart, you suddenly start to fear change. It´s not easy to find new solutions in a fear of change.