Imagine Don Draper brainstorming ad campaigns not from a high-rise on Madison Avenue, but from a sunlit coworking space in Bogotá. Picture Peggy Olson crafting punchy headlines from her stylish apartment in Buenos Aires. What once took place in smoky boardrooms could now be happening on Slack and Zoom, at a fraction of the cost.
It’s no secret that Mad Men gave us an unforgettable glimpse into the golden age of advertising. But if Sterling Cooper were a modern agency operating in today’s remote-first world, how much would that all-star team cost? And what if they weren’t based in New York, but working remotely from Latin America?
In this article, we break down just that: how much Don Draper and his team would earn if their roles were outsourced to Latin America in 2025. We’ll explore who does what at the agency, compare current U.S. salaries to their Latin American counterparts, and explain why outsourcing creative roles to LATAM is becoming a smart move for companies looking to scale without overspending.
So light a metaphorical cigarette, pour a virtual Old Fashioned, and let’s dive into the real cost of running a team of modern Mad Men—remote edition.
Meet the Mad Men Team: Classic Characters, Timeless Roles
Before we crunch the numbers, let’s meet the legends of Sterling Cooper. These characters may be fictional, but their roles are very real and still essential to modern marketing agencies today. Here's a breakdown of who does what, and how each character’s responsibilities translate into today's creative industry:
Don Draper – Creative Director / Chief Brand Strategist
The pitch master. Don crafts big ideas, directs campaign concepts, and leads the creative vision. In today’s terms, he’d be a hybrid of Creative Director and Brand Strategist, equal parts storyteller and team leader.
Peggy Olson – Senior Copywriter / Creative Lead
Once underestimated, now unstoppable. Peggy is the copy genius behind some of the agency’s most iconic lines. She’d likely be a Senior Copywriter or Associate Creative Director today, owning content strategy, campaign tone, and cross-channel messaging.
Joan Holloway – Office Manager / Operations Lead
The glue of the agency. Joan manages the day-to-day with elegance and precision. In a modern team, she’d run operations or serve as an Executive Assistant or Office Manager, handling logistics, people, and process flow.
Roger Sterling – Managing Partner / Head of Client Relations
Charming, connected, and often a little too relaxed. Roger focuses on maintaining client relationships and winning accounts. Today, he’d be the agency’s Managing Partner or Chief Client Officer, keeping VIPs happy and contracts flowing.
Pete Campbell – Account Executive / Client Manager
Ambitious and relentless, Pete bridges the gap between clients and creatives. His role maps closely to an Account Executive or Client Success Manager, someone who juggles feedback, timelines, and expectations.
Ken Cosgrove – Account Manager / Brand Strategist
Ken’s all about networking, storytelling, and relationship-building. In a modern team, he’d handle multiple accounts, contributing strategy and messaging across campaigns. Think Account Manager with a storyteller’s edge.
Harry Crane – Media Buyer / Media Director
Harry’s fascination with TV would translate well to today's world of media planning. He’d be a Media Buyer or Digital Media Director, negotiating ad slots, targeting audiences, and analyzing ROI across platforms.
Salvatore Romano – Art Director / Visual Designer
A master of layout and design, Sal gives campaigns their visual punch. His modern-day title? Art Director or Senior Visual Designer, leading the creative look of brand materials, from storyboards to social ads.
Lane Pryce – CFO / Finance Director
The British numbers guy. Lane keeps budgets in check, streamlines expenses, and ensures profitability. He’s your classic Finance Director or CFO; behind the scenes but essential for every financial decision.
Salary Comparison: U.S. vs. Latin America (2025)
Each of the roles mentioned previously still exists today, though the tools, platforms, and workflows have evolved. Below, we broke down what it would cost to hire this dream team in the U.S. and what you'd save by hiring equally skilled professionals in Latin America.
Note: Salary estimates are based on 2025 industry averages for creative and marketing professionals in the U.S. and top Latin American countries, including Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico.
Why LATAM? The Smart Choice for Creative Outsourcing
So, why does Latin America keep showing up on the radar of U.S. companies looking to scale their teams? The answer is simple: world-class talent at a fraction of the cost, and with none of the timezone headaches you get from other outsourcing hubs.
Here’s why more agencies and startups are hiring roles like copywriters, designers, account managers, and media planners directly from countries like Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico:
Time Zone Alignment
Unlike teams in Asia or Eastern Europe, professionals in LATAM work in real-time with U.S. businesses. That means same-day feedback, real-time collaboration, and fewer delays across campaigns.
High-Quality Talent
LATAM has a booming creative economy. Cities like Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Bogotá are teeming with talented marketers, designers, and writers, many with agency experience, fluent English, and a deep understanding of global brands.
Massive Cost Savings
As shown in our salary comparison, hiring in Latin America can reduce your creative staffing costs by up to 65–70%. That’s not just budget-friendly, it’s business-smart.
Cultural Compatibility
LATAM creatives are well-versed in U.S. pop culture, marketing trends, and brand tone, often consuming the same content as your target audience. This makes collaboration smooth and messaging more on-point.
Fast-Growing Freelance & Remote Workforce
Remote work is booming in Latin America, and creative professionals are embracing international clients more than ever. You’ll find professionals who are tech-savvy, deadline-driven, and eager to make an impact.
Hiring from LATAM isn’t just about saving money; it’s about gaining access to skilled professionals who work in sync with your vision.
Can a Remote Team Capture the Mad Men Magic?
Could Mad Men exist in a world of video calls and Slack threads? Would Don Draper still deliver brilliant pitches if his team was working remotely from five different countries?
Absolutely! Just with fewer martinis and more Google Docs.
Today, the tools have changed, but the goals remain the same: creative chemistry, bold ideas, and winning campaigns. And a modern remote team, especially one built from Latin America, can absolutely deliver that magic, with even more flexibility and less overhead.
Collaboration Tools Have Replaced the Boardroom
The watercooler’s gone virtual. Platforms like Slack, Figma, Asana, and Miro have made real-time brainstorming, feedback, and execution seamless, even across borders. You don’t need to be in the same room to create something powerful. You just need the right people and the right tools.
Creativity Thrives Without Walls
Remote creative teams aren’t limited by office politics, outdated hierarchies, or fixed 9-to-5 schedules. Talented copywriters in Lima, designers in Buenos Aires, and strategists in Mexico City can work together to produce compelling campaigns, often faster and with more agility than their traditional agency counterparts.
Chemistry Isn’t About Geography
Don and Peggy’s legendary creative tension didn’t come from where they sat; it came from mutual respect and shared ambition. The same kind of chemistry can exist across screens when you hire people who are passionate, talented, and invested in the mission.
Modern Clients Expect Remote Agility
Today’s clients don’t care if your team is spread across three time zones, as long as the work is sharp and on time. In fact, remote teams often outperform traditional ones thanks to better talent access and faster execution.
So yes, the Mad Men magic can absolutely happen remotely. The suits might be less tailored, and the offices less glamorous, but the ideas? Just as bold. Just as brilliant.
The Takeaway
The Mad Men era may be long gone, but the need for brilliant creatives, sharp strategists, and smooth-talking client managers is stronger than ever. The difference? You no longer need a Manhattan office or a Manhattan budget to build a world-class team.
Today’s agencies and startups have access to an international talent pool that’s just as capable, and often more adaptable, than the teams of the past. Latin America, in particular, has emerged as a go-to region for finding skilled, reliable, and cost-effective professionals across marketing, design, media, and operations.
And while Sterling Cooper relied on proximity, charisma, and an elevator pitch, modern teams thrive on transparency, collaboration tools, and a shared drive to create great work, regardless of where they’re located.
Why settle for overpaying when world-class talent is just a time zone away?
If you’re ready to build a creative, marketing, or operations team that delivers Madison Avenue quality, without the Madison Avenue cost, Latin America is your untapped goldmine. At South, we specialize in helping U.S. businesses connect with top-tier professionals across LATAM, from sharp copywriters and brilliant designers to strategic account managers and finance pros.
Want to see how much you could save while leveling up your team?
Schedule a free call with our team today and let us help you find your Don, Peggy, and Joan, minus the overhead!
