Due to other obligations, I would not be able to blog here regularly. I welcome others to contribute. Please email me at asianmkg@gmail.com if interested.
July 09, 2008
July 02, 2008
Mid-level Asian Marketing Professional Wanted
In the past two months, four Asian American ad agencies asked me if I have any referrals for their mid-level positions. I wish I do.
These agencies have been looking for the right candidates for months or years. But so far not much luck. It is not that they do not have a good package or environment to attract candidates. Qualified professionals are just hard to find.
We need someone understand the dynamic market, the complex cultural, the various languages, and have the passion and other expertise that the jobs require. Most people have some of these qualities, but not all. For those that have all, they are either already working in the industry already, or have been there and choose not to stay.
The Asian American market is no doubt growing. The work could be challenging but definitely full of fun. Its rules and standards are not the same as the general market. You have an opportunity to redefine the game.
Unfortunately, many experienced folks choose to leave to work for the client side, return to Asia, or join the general market agencies. Everyone has their own reasons. No two have the same.
Judging from what I found, I believe agencies should spend more effort to retain their professionals. They should proactively train their assets and promote from within. Many of the Asian agencies have very strong top (owner and chiefs) and large bottom (juniors), but the middle is weak or even empty. Without the mid-level professionals, the chiefs become very busy and have no time to train the juniors. This makes the juniors grow slower. Since they grow slower, there will be less supply for potential mid-level candidates. And as there is lack of mid-level professionals, the chiefs are too busy and… It is a bad cycle.
What makes the Asian marketing career development more difficult comparing to the general market is that there are not many books or classes that cater to this unique and fast-growing market.
I should not mind this problem since it helps my freelance consulting business. But it does bother me because I think it holds back the industry growth.
If you know any qualified and interested mid-level Asian marketing professional, please have them contact me ASAP.
June 21, 2008
New York Asian Film Festival 2008
This month has been a crazy month for me. My pet project – a Chinese website – has just soft launched. I haven’t had much time blogging on Asian Marketing. I feel so guilty.
But I really want to share with all that the New York Asian Film Festival 2008 is up now (June 20 – July 13). See schedule at Subway Cinema.
For those interested to know more about the event, I would recommend checking out Beth Accomando’s article at About.com The 2008 New York Asian Film Festival - Highlights and Features
Enjoy the Asian movies!
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