What Top Creative Directors Want From Entry-Level Talent

About this episode

Geno Schellenberger discusses the evolving landscape of advertising and what young creatives should focus on to succeed in the industry.

In this solo episode of the Breaking and Entering Podcast, Geno Schellenberger opens up about how AI, holding company consolidation, and changing agency structures are reshaping the path into advertising. From portfolio schools to creative partnerships to tools like Runway and ChatGPT, Geno breaks down what young creatives should actually focus on in 2026. Geno also shares advice on building a portfolio, finding mentors, standing out to recruiters, and why “nerd up, work up, cool up” still applies in today’s industry. Plus, updates on the Crowbar Awards, the B&E Mastermind Cohort, and how Breaking and Entering is continuing to help the next generation break into advertising More from Breaking and Entering Media: 💼 Follow on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-entering-media 📖 Read our Publications https://www.breaking-entering.com/blog 💬 Join our Unlocked GroupMe https://groupme.com/join_group/102437585/xg5Z5tei ✉️ Subscribe to The Vault https://breakingandenteringadv.substack.com/ 📹 Subscribe to our :60 Advertising News Videos https://breakingandentering.beehiiv.com/ 🏆 Check out the Crowbar Awards to break into advertising https://www.crowbarawards.com/…

People in this episode

Host: Geno Schellenberger

Topics covered

• advertising
• creative direction
• entry-level talent
• AI in advertising
• portfolio building
• mentorship
• agency structure

Keywords

• advertising
• creative directors
• entry-level
• AI
• portfolio
• mentors
• recruiters
• Crowbar Awards

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Breaking and Entering Media, B&E Mastermind Cohort

Products: Runway, ChatGPT

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