How to get a job Breaking into the business

First off, you need to figure out where you fit in.

Agencies generally have:

An account group that oversees client needs and liaises between the other agency groups.
A creative group that develops the work for the client.
Producers and studio artists who help bring the ideas of the creative group to life in print, broadcast and online.

Some agencies also have a media department. We do not.

If you think you’re a Creative, you need a portfolio. There’s no way around it. To get your portfolio right, read this excerpt from So You Want To Be In An Advertising Agency, published by the Institute of Canadian Advertising.

Tips on creating a portfolio

If you're just starting out, here are some tips on putting your book together:

Aim for 10 great ideas. They should ideally be for real clients, not the local dog walker.
As advertising great Bob Barrie says, "Do great ads for boring clients." Trying to do a great Nike ad is probably not a good idea, as the bar is already pretty high there.
Take risks. Working on your first book is probably the only time in your career that you'll have complete creative freedom, so go for it.
Stick to print, digital and stunt ideas. Avoid TV and radio.
Produce campaigns, not just singles— we like to see the breadth of your thinking, not just flashy one-offs.
Don't sweat the details. If you're a writer, don't kill yourself trying to make your concept look pretty. At this stage, you'll be judged on your concepts, not executions. So spend your time and energy on the ideas.
Let the work do the talking. Don't waste time trying to come up with a clever mailer. If you send us a shot of your foot with the line "Now that I've got my foot in the door..." we promise your foot will be removed from the door and inserted into the shredder.

Here are three portfolios that resulted in three Rethinkers getting hired

Take a look, then try to beat them.
Portfolio 1: Copywriter, website
Portfolio 2: Designer, website
Portfolio 3: Art Director, PDF

Where to get training

Below are a number of fine institutions that offer excellent programs for people starting out. They're not cheap, but the experience can be invaluable. In most cases you'll learn from some of the brightest minds in the business, and even get placements in some of the top shops around the world. And you'll graduate with a rock-solid book and a ton of contacts in the biz.

Art directors, designers and writers

Art Center College of Design, Pasadena
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London 
Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto
George Brown College, Toronto
School of Visual Arts, New York 
The Academy of Art College, San Francisco 
Langara College, Vancouver
Humber College, Toronto
Brainco, Minneapolis
VCU Brandcenter, Richmond
Creative Circus, Atlanta
Miami Ad School, Miami
The Portfolio Center, Atlanta
Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouve r
Capilano University, North Vancouver
Seneca College, Toronto

Online

Vancouver Film School Digital Design, Vancouver
Hyper Island, Sweden
Centre for Digital Media, Vancouver

Account Services

British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
University of Toronto, Toronto
Queen's University, Kingston
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton
Seneca College, Toronto

Production

British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver
Capilano University, North Vancouver
Vancouver Community College, Vancouver