So you are a Photo Editor and want to make the move to Art Buyer?
As many magazines close or cut their staff, some photo editors are thinking seriously about getting into Art Buying at an advertising agency. How do you do this? A former student of mine who is an AB at a major agency wrote me this bit of information:
Hey Greg,
I am sure she could start out as a Junior AB, and those positions definitely exist at many agencies. The trick is how to get hired. Write a bang-up cover letter that is not too fluffy. And send it out with Resume to all Directors/Supervisors of Art Buying/Art Production at any and all agencies.In the email note, she should include some info about herself that she’s interested in making the move into Art Buying, even if they’re not currently hiring, would be extremely appreciative for a few minutes meet-n-greet as an informational visit to the agency.
she should be able to find all the directors either within LeBook or AdAge, Agency Access…things I’m sure she can score access to if she doesn’t have them already…she should hit up her photographer friends, or buds at photo-agencies for some help on names and contacts.
I wouldn’t recommend cold-calling off the bat….send things out via email…give it a week before you call anyone.
Thing is, she can send these out and not get a call for a while…but these Directors keep most resumes sent to them and hit the stack when they’re in need.
Hope this helps her!
So the important info above is that even though there is not a position open at an agency, Sr. Art Buyers keep cover letters and resumes on file for then there is an opening, so it is worth sending your cover letter and resumes even when there is not a specific posting and, if possible, to get a short meeting with the head of the Art Buying Department.
I would also include in your cover letter those skills that you believe translate from P.E. to A.B., including: knowing established photographic talent as well as young/new talent, sourcing stock imagery, understanding pre- and post-production of shoots, knowing (something) about estimates and usage terms.
Finally, any meeting you go into, know who you are meeting and what they have done. Do your research and if it seems appropriate, comment (positively) on a campaign that the Sr. Art Buyer was responsible for or an award the campaign won.
I’m sure I’ve left some things off you could include in a cover letter. I don’t know anyone personally who has made this switch, but I will try to do some research and see if I can talk with someone who has.
