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  1. Embracing Marketing Mistakes
  2. FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't
FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't

FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't

Embracing Marketing Mistakes · Sep 18, 2025

A marketing director's 'terrible mistake'—getting fired from the wrong agency—became a brilliant career move into direct marketing.

A 'Failed' Career Move Unlocks Growth by Exposing You to an Industry Shift

A creative director describes getting fired as "brilliant" because the failed role introduced him to direct marketing just as it was becoming a dominant force. This mistake proved more valuable than succeeding in a traditional, less relevant field, leading to more learning and better connections.

FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't thumbnail

FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't

Embracing Marketing Mistakes·5 months ago

Misaligned Internal Incentives Can Make Talented Executives Ineffective

A creative director explains his failure at an agency where account directors were incentivized solely on account profitability. His high billable rate meant they actively prevented him from working on their accounts to protect their margins, making it impossible for him to do his job.

FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't thumbnail

FAIL: Direct Marketing Taught Me Everything Advertising Couldn't

Embracing Marketing Mistakes·5 months ago