Pros

Agency has the potential to capture a lot of upside in the current economic climate. It has been able to sustain a high level of growth. There are some very smart people who contribute greatly and unselfishly.

Cons

Senior Leadership is disengaged and does not demonstrate important leadership skills (communication, fairness, promoting collaboration). Engine of the company is a dedicated core of professional who typically do not get recognition for their work. General lack of accountability and Lord of the Flies mentality with younger staffers.

Advice to Senior Management

Take a closer at who is doing the heavy lifting in the organization and engage them in a dialogue on how to improve an already strong performance. Don't reward mediocrity and promote accountability at all levels (including your own).

Pros

The name looks good on your resume. Air conditioning and decent computers. Comfortable chairs, professional enviroment, Good place to learn the industry.

Cons

Not a good place for creatives. Probably better for marketing/account people. Too many levels of management, too much Bureaucracy. Creativity is stifled.

Advice to Senior Management

Provide more training and career development opportunities for junior staff. Lose the cubicles and improve communication between senior staff and creative dept.

Pros

Very very smart employees who are extremely dedicated to the work. Great client roster and opportunity to work on many accounts.

Cons

Can be a grind with a lot of hours. Like all agencies, Digitas works on thin staffing models to increase margins.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to drive innovation and look for ways to increase company morale during the hard times (late hours, raise freeze, etc.)

Pros

Fun, social culture and great people. Generally everyone is helpful and there is a lot of information sharing. Hours are pretty standard.

Cons

People are always busy. May be difficult at times to get feedback from management. Most people leave work at a standard time but always work remotely to finish up their work.

Advice to Senior Management

Make sure employees aren't burned out. Just because the culture is fun doesn't mean that employees will be satisfied about their actual work.

Pros

Overall I think Digitas Health is a good place to work, I have opportunities for growth and find my job interesting.

Cons

We haven't received raises this year, although I'm glad we at least got bonuses (and still have jobs)

Advice to Senior Management

I wish things were communicated down the ladder more effectively.

Pros

The people you work with are fun, but come crunch time people have serious attitude.
Usually fast paced

Cons

Managers are not trained properly.

Advice to Senior Management

Get clued in to what is happening at all levels. Lower level employees are the base of your company.

Pros

On the plus side, Digitas has some very intelligent people who are very good at what they do. So there's excellent opportunities to learn.

Cons

On the downside, I feel like the company has lost much of its flexibility since the Publicis acquisition. Inertia and bureaucracy has become a huge issue and source of discontent.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't rely on the "network" so much. The value is overstated, and in actuality the way the financial system is set up, "partners" act more more like sniping competitors.

Pros

Digitas has a pool of young, creative interesting employees that seem to collaborate well and work extremely hard together for the greater good of the company and the clients they serve.

Cons

With few exceptions Senior Management does not work, organize or understand nearly on the level that they should. Very little regard for work/life balance, a CEO and CCO in Philadelphia who are diametrically opposed in almost every position and are successful at this point based soley on the talent they hire, not the ideas they generate.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop being so enamored with your success and position and go back to what made you good to begin with - thoughtful collaboration and creativity. The company has become so big, it doesn't know what to do with itself.

Pros

Good place to freelance, as the rate is decent and they are pretty flexible about coming and going if you have other projects.
Work and assignments are reasonable and can make good portfolio pieces.

Cons

Seemed very account management heavy with a lot of disconnects between the creative and delivery teams.
Some of the delivery team can be a little self-absorbed and condescending, especially to freelance staff.

Advice to Senior Management

I'd take a look at the delivery structure and balance out the creative vs account management staff. Some teams can get a lot more done with a lot less management structure.

Pros

Overall smart people and well established company. You get the opportunity to work with some of the largest clients in the business. However, you don't necessarily get the chance to innovate or do anything truly remarkable on a regular basis. This is a great place to launch a career.

Cons

There are MANY type As here. People take themselves too seriously and too politically. However, when you don't take yourself too seriously, and look for ways to collaborate and get around the politics and red tape, there are some great people here. Unfortunately, pay scale doesn't always match up with the level of talent.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't focus as much on what you know as what can be done. Focus less on lines and more on collaboration. Reward thinkers and team players, not just those who have the attention of the review committees.