Creativity is critical for success in many roles, yet creative workers often face challenges related to identity and work environment, which can affect their professional recognition and career longevity. Drawing on social identity theory and work environment literature, this study explores how social and personal identities interact with work environments to predict creative recognition (i.e., awards) and retention in the advertising industry. Through an online survey of 115 self-identified creative professionals, we examine how factors such as social belonging and creative independence impact external recognition, career longevity, and employer retention. The results show that social identity, particularly a sense of belonging, significantly predicts career longevity and retention, while personal identity (distinctiveness) is linked to creative recognition. Additionally, workplace policies moderate these relationships, with stricter policies negatively affecting creative recognition and retention. These findings contribute to scholarship by demonstrating the importance of fostering supportive work environments that align with the identities of creative professionals.
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