ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms Beyond the Holding Company: Thriving in the Ad Talent Shake-Up with Jean-Michel Wu
Oct 5, 2025
43:03
The advertising industry's talent crisis isn't coming—it's here.
As AI automates junior roles, consolidation eliminates mid-level positions, and holding companies restructure at unprecedented speed, professionals at every level are asking: what's next? We're joined by Jean-Michel Wu, a two-decade talent expert who has held leadership roles at creative and media agencies, including WPP, IPG, and beyond. Now the founder of Tripitakka Consulting, he coaches individuals and organizations navigating this transformation. This conversation isn't about doom-scrolling the industry's decline—it's about the practical shifts happening right now and how to position yourself for what comes next.
1. What shift in the talent market are agencies not seeing yet—and why do talent people see trends before the headlines?
2. Publicis restructured dramatically a decade ago. Were they right to move fast, and what can we learn from that now?
3. What type of senior leaders are successfully evolving their skill sets, and what are they doing differently?
4. From entry-level to executive—what's the one skill that matters most in this new landscape?
5. Are we moving toward generalist roles powered by AI, or specialist experts with AI support?
6. How does the consulting model compare to agencies when it comes to talent structure and compensation?
7. What's the fundamental role of talent management in 2025—and how must it change?
8. Why is psychological safety suddenly a talent function priority?
9. If clients change how they pay agencies, will that finally force the "one P&L" issue?
10. You coach people who've been laid off. What limiting beliefs do you encounter, and how do they break through?
11. The fractional/consulting life—is it actually viable, or just a nice story we tell ourselves?
12. What advice do you have for entry-level professionals when agencies don't know what to do with them anymore?
About Tripitakka: https://www.tripitakka.com/
Jean-Michel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanmichelwu/
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam
https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/
As AI automates junior roles, consolidation eliminates mid-level positions, and holding companies restructure at unprecedented speed, professionals at every level are asking: what's next? We're joined by Jean-Michel Wu, a two-decade talent expert who has held leadership roles at creative and media agencies, including WPP, IPG, and beyond. Now the founder of Tripitakka Consulting, he coaches individuals and organizations navigating this transformation. This conversation isn't about doom-scrolling the industry's decline—it's about the practical shifts happening right now and how to position yourself for what comes next.
1. What shift in the talent market are agencies not seeing yet—and why do talent people see trends before the headlines?
2. Publicis restructured dramatically a decade ago. Were they right to move fast, and what can we learn from that now?
3. What type of senior leaders are successfully evolving their skill sets, and what are they doing differently?
4. From entry-level to executive—what's the one skill that matters most in this new landscape?
5. Are we moving toward generalist roles powered by AI, or specialist experts with AI support?
6. How does the consulting model compare to agencies when it comes to talent structure and compensation?
7. What's the fundamental role of talent management in 2025—and how must it change?
8. Why is psychological safety suddenly a talent function priority?
9. If clients change how they pay agencies, will that finally force the "one P&L" issue?
10. You coach people who've been laid off. What limiting beliefs do you encounter, and how do they break through?
11. The fractional/consulting life—is it actually viable, or just a nice story we tell ourselves?
12. What advice do you have for entry-level professionals when agencies don't know what to do with them anymore?
About Tripitakka: https://www.tripitakka.com/
Jean-Michel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanmichelwu/
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/
ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam
https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac
Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/