We Are In Tough Times, Indeed

On Monday, I started my internship at the paper. In this role I work under a dozen Advertising Account Executives to support their operations. That's a fancy way to say that I'm their go-to guy for anything they need done, whether it be the completion of a sales presentation, or a promotional mailing for prospective clients. Even after four days in, I can tell that these people are on top of their game. Advertising requires an especially thick skin and a hell of a lot of perseverance. I'm incredibly fortunate to have nabbed a position in my field, as there are no doubt thousands of college graduates out there coming to terms with the fact that their ideal positions are well out of reach. Although I'd much rather be a salaried employee, I'm more than happy to take what I can get for now.

In the ad department, each Account Executive focuses on a specific area of expertise, in order to preclude any possibility of competition. For example, Residential Real Estate is designated to D, Commercial Real Estate clients are managed by A, and S deals with Educational Institutions. Whoever thought this up was wise to do so. Since there's no chance of the Account Executives pitching the paper to the same client, every one gets along really well. Which bodes well, seeing as how the entire staff is comprised of women. I'm sure male-dominated stockbroker firms deal with this same issue.

But there's nothing like working in an account services to make you realize just how bad the economy is. This position has already done a lot to educate me about current events, and that's not because I work at a newspaper. These people are stressed, and for good reason. Take for example the recent announcement of GM's bankruptcy. This affects D directly because she handles the automobile industry in addition to Residential Real Estate. I can only imagine what her commissions look like now as opposed to a year or two earlier.

This reminds me of my high school economics class, where my teacher told us that every expenditure is someone's receipt. Well, because receipts have been low for businesses in Atlanta (and everywhere else, I'm sure), they have less money to advertise, which hits the pocket of my supervisors.

I don't say all of this to incite feelings of depression or melancholy, because I believe this recession is teaching everyone a great deal about the importance of spending less than what's earned, and spending less in general. I'm pretty sure that the entire newspaper staff has picked up on this. Even though Atlanta is home to some really delicious local restaurants, nearly everyone pinches pennies by bringing their lunch. Advertising rates have been reduced sharply in order to entice existing and new businesses to place ads in the paper. The circulation department has lowered the price of subscription in order to keep money flowing into the company.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going, that's for sure. I think when this economy rebounds in a few years (don't delude yourself into thinking you'll be balling in 2010, because in all likelihood you won't), people may just emerge a bit richer and a heck of a lot smarter. I dare say there's hope for us yet...