Level Up!
Another Blueprint full of gems with impactful advice about navigating within the creative industry was had and we hope you made it out.
Drew McWhorter was the perfect model for anyone with certain skill sets that may feel stagnant in a career and want to learn ways of applying it in another industry. Imposter syndrome was one of the topics spoken about, and what happens to those who fall into that. Drew emphasized the push of being honest about your skills and how refreshing it comes across in a new space.
Of course, in particular jobs you need to show you can do said skill, however with certain roles it gives you a window to learn it. We listened to this path of defying pivotal moments with a story arc that highlighted the seamless transition between advertising and gaming. And no secrets were shared for popular game The Elder Scrolls Online, however there were some cheat codes on how to pivot in today’s job market.
Something is Brewing
The market continues to plummet and it feels like it’s not getting better. Major layoffs happened in big companies like Amazon and Mattel, that left employees shocked by the unexpected changes happening within their infrastructures. It’s not easy as things constantly shift however roles need to be filled for companies to keep their lights on and they need you. Package up your work and pick out the unique skills that make you stand out from others in your field. Something like direct to consumer could be huge not only it strengthens the relationships amongst you and clients, it cuts out any middle person and exclusively deal with you. The time is now to see where you fit and make yourself visible to companies you aspire to work with.
Keep Up with Us
Stay involved and subscribed, to be on top of all the upcoming events with brief insight on what to expect and how you can be involved. Follow The Gradient to be steps closer to where you want to be.
📰 Must-Read Articles
Kickstart your month with these quick, insightful reads.
Graduation is approaching for some in the fall term and the market is tough however, there are parts of it still doing well in many ways. In September, the U.S. added more jobs than people thought it would. However, the unemployment rate went up to 4.4%.
Read further more on how you can navigate fresh off campus.
Massive changes are happening at Amazon. Over 1,000 employees have anonymously signed an open letter warning that the company’s allegedly “all-costs-justified, warp-speed approach to AI development” could cause “staggering damage to democracy, to our jobs, and to the earth”. How many other companies will fall into AI development and how could you avoid this?
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🗞 More articles to explore!
Omnicom closes $13B IPG Deal, Uniting Rivals in Industry-Shaping Acquisition - read more
Paid Ad Scheduling Across Time Zones That Actually Works - read more
Dropbox": Is Digital Clutter Costing Your Business - read more
AT&T’s head of business operations shares her 2 favorite interview questions and red flag responses - read more
Pringamabobs is a New Line of Characters Inspired by Stacked Crisps - read more
How to Amplify And Measure Executive Voice For Real ROI - read more
💼 Job Openings
Your next career move starts here.
See featured jobs or browse 2,000+ listings on our job board.
🚀 Opportunities
Want to get your work noticed? Add to your accolades? We've handpicked a selection of awards and programs that can help you shine brighter and achieve your goals. Explore these opportunities for the month of December!
Do you have an agency that experienced a huge year with campaigns? Ad Age has recognized the best agencies in advertising on the annual Ad Age A-List. But, advertising is more than just the agency. Together, the coveted Ad Age A-List & Creativity Awards honor the forward-thinking leaders, top agencies and creative innovators in the industry today. It’s an opportunity to learn who competitors are in the industry and add the accomplishment to your website if chosen. Winners will be celebrated in-person in New York City on April 20,2026. Deadline today. December 2nd, Apply Now!
The MUSE Creative Awards is an international competition celebrating exceptional creative design, advertising, and digital media. It honors outstanding work across categories like advertising, digital media, marketing strategies, and PR communications. MUSE recognizes inspiring projects that challenge norms and set new benchmarks, bringing together a global community of innovative creators passionate about transforming ideas into artistic realities. Entry Deadline December 11th - Enter Now!
AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design, and production of digital communication. Here’s a moment to get recognition for your company by display of digital work done within. The work can range from digital campaigns to audio and video production, website development, social media engagement and mobile marketing. Deadline December 18th - Apply Now!
✨More opportunities to explore✨
The One Show
Deadline: December 12th
🗓 Upcoming Events
Stay ahead with events that matter to you! Whether you’re looking to become involved or network, we’ve got something coming up that’s worth your time.
Growth is the only option for today's top marketing strategists. Digital Summit events connect you with thought leaders, futurists, creatives and more from brands like Amazon, Ford, Google, charity : water, Linkedin, NFL, SubjectLine.com, Reddit, and Zillow. No other event gives you the insights you need + the close proximity to build relationships with change makers in marketing. December 3rd-December 4th in Dallas, Texas , don’t wait too long RSVP now!
As marketers chase pixels, prompts, and AI-powered everything, we’re returning to what’s real: the street corner, the subway platform, the skyline the moments and messages that meet people where they actually are. OOH is the last real thing: a medium rooted in truth, trust, and public presence. At a time when connection matters more than attention, OOH invites brands to show up big, bold, and human. Join us as we explore how creativity, technology, and culture converge in the real world, and why that matters more than ever. December 3rd- Register Now!
The One Club for Creativity is thrilled to announce their annual end-of-the-year portfolio review will return as a three session event, bringing together students, grads and juniors looking for advice on their books, and creative directors, recruiters, and other industry professionals looking to give that advice. The One Club’s December portfolio review features meetings between talent and talent seekers. The talent can range from Boston to Bangkok, from Berlin to Brisbane, with hopes to create a truly global review experience. December 3rd-4th in New York City and Virtual RSVP Here!
December 10th, Salesforce World Tour are bringing together the agents, it’s the next revolution, and this is your chance to lead it. Come explore 140+ expert-led sessions, demos, and hands-on trainings featuring Dreamforce’s boldest launches, including Agentforce 360, Slack, and Data 360, to unlock limitless productivity and customer success. Located in New York City for free. RSVP now
✨More events to explore✨
AWS re:Invent
December 5th
Las Vegas,NV
71st Global Conference on Advertising and Marketing Communications
December 5th
Cancun,MX
Art Basel Miami Beach
December 5th
Miami,FL
Textbook Holidays! Founders and Angels and Networking Oh My!
December 9th
New York,NY
Marketing, Content & Commerce Winter 2025
December 9th
New York,NY
The AI Summit New York
December 10th
New York,NY
HackSummit Climate x Deep Tech
December 10th-December 11th
New York
Marketing Mornings LDN: Building a Cult Brand with Grind
December 10th
London,UK
Blueprint For Financial Success
December 11th
New York,NY
Founder’s Breakfast Club
December 12th
New York,NY
Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected]
🌟 We appreciate you for being a part of this!
This month, we're energized for a journey of self-improvement, actively shaping our destiny with passion. Each day advances our work ethic, connections, and recognition. While others wait, we step into the spotlight, eager to engage and showcase our talents at upcoming events. After months of preparation, we're ready to dazzle and capture the world's attention. You're ready to connect and share your incredible gifts!
Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for daily insights, and remember that your updated Gradient profile is your best tool for capturing opportunities.
Our next edition drops the 3rd week of December with your monthly updates and most importantly a great start out for the month. Until then, keep creating, keep connecting, and keep claiming your space.
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Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays
Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.
Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.
