Here’s Jeff Goodby’s Note to Staff Regarding ‘Changes’ at GS&P

By Kiran Aditham 

We’ve been hearing about it all afternoon on the Spy line, and though it took a while, we’ve finally received the memo that Jeff Goodby sent to staff about an hour ago regarding a shakeup at San Francisco-based Goodby Silverstein & Partners this week. This is the second notable round of cuts to hit Goodby this year following one mainly due to “financial reasons” back in May. No numbers have been disclosed in terms of staff affected, by the “restructuring,” but anyhow, read on….

 

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“We spoke about this at our agency meeting today, but for those of you who were unable to attend, here’s what we shared.

As many of you know, the nature of our business is changing quickly. Client relationships are splintering from large accounts into many smaller ones. Functions that were not only appropriate but also crucial a few years ago are now shrinking and even disappearing.

To that end, we are making some changes in our agency this week.

The changes are motivated by shifts in our financial position, sure. But they are also the result of a careful study of how our time is spent and what part of that time our clients most value.

In some ways, this is a course correction so that we all hew more closely to our mission: making stuff people care about. Our goal is to have everyone touching great work, facilitating great work and selling great work.

What parts of the company will change as a result of this?

First, we are simplifying our structure at all levels. A simple structure leads to better work and happier people.

We’re folding project management back into account management. And we’re scaling back the size of in-house production on eLevel.

That will mean going outside for some of the things that we have gotten used to doing internally. Outside eyes for film, digital design, editing, music and production will help keep our work fresh.

That doesn’t mean we won’t still make things like Christmas videos, the AV Club, meeting films and other unexpected things. We will not change things that are dear to  the unique and stupid culture of this place.

The result of all of this will be departments that are smaller and more nimble, with everyone working in more tightly knit teams on client-facing projects. Some people are leaving; some departments will change significantly. It is something that will take patience from all of us. But it will put people closer to the work, and we think that is something that should make everyone feel more fulfilled in the end.

None of this makes it any easier to part ways with staff members. The people here are the core and centerpiece of this company. We will do everything we can to find them a next chapter, in which they can have the remarkable impact they’ve had here.

There is nothing like this place, and never will be. We want to continue stoking the things that make us unique.

Jeff”

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