Why Authenticity and Alignment Matter for Creatives and Marketing Departments
(And why you can’t afford to ignore it anymore)
Let’s get one thing straight: the old-school employer-employee dynamic? It’s on its last leg. The new reality is this: employees are the brand. Saying it louder for the folks in the back. Your people, their online presence, and their growing social reach can be your biggest brand assets.
And since KDA lives and breathes the creative world, we’re diving into how this new power shift is playing out across creative departments, hiring teams, founders, agency owners, and yes- even you, CEOs.
Creatives hold the power- are you paying attention?
I’ve been tracking three critical shifts that are flipping the script on how creative talent shows up, how they’re hired, and how brands stay relevant. Buckle up.
1. The employee IS the influencer
Forget your perfectly polished campaign videos, your most powerful brand storytellers are already on your payroll. Creatives are out here building real-deal followings, showing up with a strong POV, and becoming thought leaders in their own right. If they’re doing it right, their personal brand is carrying yours further than your marketing calendar ever could.
This is your wake-up call to respect that power. And for creatives: get that LinkedIn house in order and start showing up like the brand you are. Your next gig is watching.
2. If you’re not investing in your team, you’re losing them
Want to retain top talent? Invest in them. Support them. Develop them. Give them leadership tools, not just swag bags. Empowered creatives stay longer, grow deeper, and shout your name from rooftops (and LinkedIn posts).
And if your company’s not giving you that? You'd better start skilling up on your own. The future isn’t waiting.
3. Hire for influence and alignment, not just a résumé
Hiring managers: stop chasing unicorns and start aligning on values. Your next creative lead better not just have the chops- they better believe in your brand. Because the wrong hire doesn’t just slow you down- it can tank your reputation and burn trust in ways no rebrand can fix.
Job seekers: this is your green light to stop hiding. Start following, commenting on, and engaging with the brands you love. Passive isn’t a strategy. Apply like you already belong there.
The market is moving. Are you evolving or getting left behind?
Let’s be honest: we’re all still reeling post-COVID. Buying behavior is erratic, geopolitics are unstable, and AI is pushing work in every direction at once. Welcome to the new normal. If you’re not adapting, you’re falling behind. Fast.
Here’s what I’m seeing in the wild:
Social media is no longer just marketing
More and more, social is being handed to creatives instead of traditional PR or comms teams. Why? Because creatives understand the power of voice, visuals, and authenticity. If that’s not part of your skill set, you’re officially on notice.
AI is a partner, not a threat (Unless you ignore it)
The future of creative work isn’t about being replaced. It’s about managing AI as a collaborator. The human magic happens in the edit, the curation, and the story. The best creatives are learning how to integrate, not compete.
The talent that got you here may not get you there
Founders and CEOs are waking up to this: the people who thrived in growth mode might not be the ones to lead in scale mode. Teams are shifting. Experience matters more than hustle. Creative leaders need to evolve, too.
Schools aren’t keeping up
Let’s call it out: most design grads aren’t coming out ready. They're still learning how to design letterhead while the industry is building content ecosystems and brand POVs on TikTok and LinkedIn. If you’re a new grad, this is your moment to self-educate. If you’re a leader? Time to build some real learning tracks internally.
So, Keva, how do I get hired right now?
I get asked this every week. Here's the no-fluff version: Level. Up.
And no, you can’t build a killer personal brand on YouTube. You hire a pro. You wouldn’t DIY your own taxes or plumbing, right? So why would you wing it with your career? You are a brand. You need to market like one. Period.
Here are four steps in the right direction:
Step One: Define and align
Your online presence needs to scream your actual goals. What do you want to do? Where do you want to work? What sets you apart? Define your value and own your positioning. Loudly.
Step Two: Show up online like you mean it
A dusty LinkedIn profile and vague job titles won’t cut it. Engage with people. Follow industry leaders. Share your POV. Show your expertise. And please, don’t let ChatGPT write your posts. People can tell.
Step Three: Get your tools tight
Your resume, LinkedIn, and portfolio should all be lockstep and airtight. Showcase your wins, highlight your voice, and for the love of branding- tell a cohesive story. Bonus points for sharing side projects or AI experiments that show initiative.
Step Four: Be the damn solution
Know the company. Understand their pain points. Show up with ideas, not just experience. Your interview is a pitch, not a therapy session.
Bonus Step: Call in the experts
We’ve helped generate over $300M in creative salaries. We know what works. We’ve got you.
Mind the expertise gap—it’s real
Whether you're hiring or job hunting, what worked five years ago is gone. And you can’t afford to go it alone.
Reasons why you need KDA in your corner:
We know the trends before they hit. We’re watching the whole market shift, and we know what’s coming next.
We know how to position you. Whether it’s a role or a résumé, we know how to tell the story that lands.
We know the people. You want in? We know the way. And we’re already in touch with the right folks.
Bottom Line: Authenticity and alignment aren’t optional
This market rewards clarity, not confusion. It values connection, not cold emails, and strategy, not scrambling.
Whether you’re a hiring manager trying to fill a role or a creative trying to land one, the game has changed.
Now’s the time to align who you are, where you’re going, and how you show up. And if you need help? You know where to find us.
- Keva
The Keva Dine Agency is in the people business. Let us connect you.