Doner Reviews

Pros

Obviously some of the best reasons to work here are to gain experience on a range of accounts. Also, working at the HQ of a large agency is fun in terms of holiday parties and other perks.

Cons

Longer hours than other agencies. Known as a "sweat shop" if you ask some people. However, due to the long hours I never felt my job was in jeopardy. Also, I was young and naive when I first started so terrible at negotiating salary and they smelled blood in terms of the fact they knew I really want to move back to MI so I go screwed in terms of pay. When I accepted the offer I asked for a review in 6 mos to potentially increase but never got it. Never got an offer for a significant increase (though my boss fought for me) until I got an offer somewhere else that I had already accepted.

Advice to Senior Management

Your employees are your best assets. Don't assume they don't know when they aren't getting screwed over because eventually the best ones leave.

Pros

If just starting out in the business you will learn the skills needed for moving on to a better agency

Cons

Out of touch upper management, lack of a defined corporate culture. I've never worked at a place with higher employee turnover.

Advice to Senior Management

Become more visible to front line employees. It's no secret that working in advertising involves long hours with tight deadlines. For the first several years pay is low. Senior Management needs to communicate to these employees why working in advertising, and for Doner matters. Apart from providing a paycheck, senior management has not created any compelling reasons that makes employees want to stay with the agency.

Pros

Experience working with a range of national clients. For anyone living in Michigan, a good opportunity to work for a "NY" or "Chicago" type agency.

Cons

Not enough staff to get all the work done during reasonable hours. Frequent late nights (until 8-9 pm) and weekends.

Advice to Senior Management

More support/staff to day to day operations.

Pros

It looks good on your resume. Bragging rights of surviving a sweat shop. Credibility as a hard worker.

Cons

Low pay, comparatively. Very negative, fearful environment. Co-workers are all afraid for their jobs. Management has no regard for workers--only bottom line. Poor management isn't seen as a problem. No sense of loyalty from anyone--including employees. The culture promotes back-stabbing and rewards Machiavels.

The pay scale at Doner is lower than elsewhere, and the majority of us go years--if not indefinitely--without so much as a cost of living raise. After four years, I have yet to be reviewed by my boss (in fact, no one in the group is reviewed)--and hence, no bonus. Employee morale is terribly low, and its heartbreaking to see how it demoralizes co-workers. The overall management style is based on instilling fear, rather than respect and support.

Advice to Senior Management

Be prepared for a mass exodus once the economy turns around.

Pros

The place can be young and fun with good people. Good recent creative hiring. Very strong client network.

Cons

Terrible Pay. Way too many employees that couldn't pass a marketing 101 class. Upper management gives false hope for the actualities of responsibility improvements when promoted. There is a disgusting lack of empowerment by certain upper management, you may end up being very micromanaged. Perhaps from a lack of trust. In ability to keep talented people leads to working with less that satisfactory peers.

Advice to Senior Management

Trust, learn, listen.