What is 50:50/30?

In the world of creative work, fairness is often a casualty of tight deadlines, fluctuating budgets, and the pressures of the client-agency relationship. But fair compensation is a fundamental right, and ensuring that creatives are paid fairly and on time is key to making creativity a viable career. The "50:50/30" campaign is our commitment to holding brands, agencies, and clients accountable, while making sure that the people who make magic happen—the creators—are respected, valued, and financially supported.

The core principle of the 50:50/30 campaign is simple: 50% upfront when a project begins, and the remaining 50% on delivery, with 30-day payment terms. It’s a payment structure that strikes a fair balance between business needs and the reality of creative work. Here’s why this approach is essential to making creative careers sustainable:

1. Protecting Creative Talent’s Financial Stability

For too long, creatives have been expected to produce exceptional work without the financial security they deserve. The 50:50 upfront model ensures that creators are compensated for their time, skill, and effort from the moment they begin a project. The upfront payment acts as a safeguard, providing them with the financial support they need to focus on delivering the best work possible, without the stress of wondering when they’ll get paid.

The second payment, made upon project completion, not only ensures that creatives are paid for their labor but also serves as a fair reward for their completed work. With 30-day payment terms, the process becomes even more predictable, providing creatives with clarity and assurance about their income.

2. Encouraging a Sustainable Creative Industry

The creative industry thrives on innovation, passion, and collaboration—but without proper financial incentives, talented individuals are forced to abandon their creative pursuits for more stable, but less fulfilling, careers. By committing to a 50:50 upfront and 30-day payment terms, we make creativity financially viable in the long term. This model enables freelancers, contractors, and small creative businesses to plan their finances with confidence, invest in their craft, and continue contributing to the vibrant creative ecosystem.

When creatives are fairly compensated and their financial needs are respected, they can focus on doing what they do best—creating. This model empowers the next generation of creative talent, encouraging more people to consider a career in the arts, media, and entertainment without the fear of being underpaid or exploited.

3. Holding Clients, Brands, and Agencies Accountable

The 50:50/30 structure isn’t just for the benefit of the creative; it’s also a way to hold clients, brands, and agencies accountable. Payment is a direct reflection of the value placed on work—and it’s time to redefine how the creative process is valued. By requiring an upfront payment, we help create an environment where the creative’s time is respected from the outset. No more waiting months for invoices to be processed, or wondering if payment will be delayed due to client budget issues.

This transparent payment structure also sets clear expectations for both sides of the contract: clients and agencies know when they need to pay, and creatives know when they can expect to be compensated for their work. It fosters trust, reduces the risk of late payments, and aligns everyone on the importance of treating creativity as a valued, professional endeavor.

4. Creating Equal Opportunities for All Creatives

One of the most critical issues facing the creative industry is the widespread practice of unpaid or poorly paid work. Freelancers and independent creators, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, often struggle to make a living wage in this sector. The 50:50/30 model is a step toward leveling the playing field, ensuring that all creatives—no matter their background or career stage—are given fair compensation for their work.

The structure also helps foster equality by ensuring that smaller agencies and independent creatives can negotiate fair terms, making it easier for new talent to break into the industry without being taken advantage of by larger companies with more leverage.

5. Fostering Strong, Long-Term Relationships

When clients and creatives engage in a fair and transparent payment process, it fosters stronger, long-term professional relationships. Creatives are more likely to give their best effort when they feel respected and compensated properly. The 50:50 upfront/30-day payment terms model sets the stage for collaboration built on trust, respect, and mutual benefit. Creatives are more inclined to build a relationship with clients who honour their financial commitments, and clients, in turn, benefit from the dedication and high-quality work that comes from a motivated, fairly compensated creative team.

In Conclusion: Making Creativity a Viable Career

The 50:50/30 campaign is more than just a payment model; it’s a movement to reshape the creative industry, making it a sustainable and financially stable career path for the talent it depends on. By ensuring that creatives are compensated fairly, promptly, and transparently, we can encourage more people to pursue careers in the arts, media, and design, knowing that their work will be valued and their time respected.

As brands, agencies, and clients, we have a responsibility to ensure that creatives can thrive—financially, professionally, and personally. The 50:50/30 model is our commitment to building a creative economy that is fair, accountable, and sustainable for everyone. Let’s make creativity a viable career—because when creatives win, we all win.

Join us in the 50:50/30 campaign, and together, we can change the future of creative work.