Digitas – “Great blend of creative/strategy work but belabored by process”

Pros

Digitas' relationships with its clients are often unusual for a marketing agency--in addition to the usual work on brand/creative/etc, it has a consulting-like relationship which allows us to make an impact on client strategy as well. It's very rewarding to be adding that sort of value.

I have immense respect for my co-workers, and especially many of the senior managers I've worked with. Broadly speaking, the people are also very friendly--I've made a lot of good friends while working at Digitas.

Very reasonable hours--most people work roughly 9~6 from Monday through Friday on the big accounts, although when things are very busy that definitely changes.

Cons

Digitas can often be belabored by its own process. There's a lot of paperwork and bureacracy, which makes many projects (offline especially, more so than online) arduous and frustrating. It feels like a small agency that grew overnight into a bigger one--which is pretty much accurate!

Some of the clients (e.g. American Express, General Motors, pharmaceuticals) are very traditional and careful marketers, so there's less opportunity to do exciting/cutting-edge creative or work in exciting/cutting-edge channels. That can be pretty frustrating sometimes.

It feels like Account Management has a disporportionate amount of power/control relative to the Creative teams--and I say that as an Account person. I think that situation sometimes handicuffs and demoralizes our art directors and copywriters, which obviously has a negative impact on our work.

Advice to Senior Management

Less process!