A Creative Disaster

Brooks Gilley, Managing Director of 52 Limited, talks about the impact the recession has had on the Creative Industry on Episode 9 of Job Search Radio on the Small Plate Radio Network. Brooks says the recession has been disastrous for folks working in Portland, Oregon’s tight knit creative community.  A lack of diversification in the Portland economy has made creative gigs hard to find.

52 Limited has an interesting business model.  It’s both a staffing resource for clients looking for talent in the creative space, but it also has created a freelance talent network that is unmatched anywhere in the U.S.  52 Limited’s “virtual teams” are custom crafted around a specific project initiative.  One team might tackle a rebranding effort, another team might work on an internal communications project.

These virtual teams put creative talent to work on challenging assignments while 52 Limited’s placement experts help them find a permanent gig.

Brooks says frustration is the job seeker’s biggest enemy and he often counsels weary creatives to take a vacation and clear their head.  “Getting to the happy” is the way to clear the path for great creative work to come through.  

Brooks also points out that good people are hard to find and says companies seeking great talent need to take the long view and treat their creatives like true partners.  That will help them attract the best talent in what will undoubtedly once again become a competitive hiring marketplace.

Brooks urges job seekers not give up hope.  The creative industry is changing and people who have the right skills will succeed in the new economy.