Saatchi & Saatchi – “People are great but things are not well in the ad industry...”

Pros

The people are great and there's a genuine happiness to be there because everyone's so dynamic. Also, the company is supportive of people switching around departments vs. other agencies. There is a broad, impressive portfolio of clients to work for. Since it's advertising the culture is pretty laid-back and, for the most part, every one seems to know everyone else. I have been there for a couple of years which is considered weird for my level, but I have grown very comfortable there. There's a gym on the 19th floor that's pro-rated per salary. Finally, the location is one to be reckoned with since it's in the West Village.

Cons

There are many. Because we're a larger company, communication is not their strong point. For example, the company recently consolidated space which meant that many people lost their offices and moved to an open space or were downgraded from the office they currently had (i.e. moving from an office with a window to one that did not). It wasn't the fact that people had to move that was the problem, but the fact that this had been happening for two months and no one mentioned anything. Literally, employees got a slip of paper telling them that they were to be moved in two days. Junior people also tend to be paid VERY poorly in comparison with other agencies. As for reviews, they're very one-sided and not administered at a specific time every year. Finally, the company is slow regarding promotions and rotations.

Advice to Senior Management

I would urge them to place a greater emphasis on overt communication. It is not fair for employees to obviously know something is going on, but not to recognize it - it is VERY frustrating to be kept in the dark when you are working your ass off for this company. Senior management should also recognize, at a junior level, the length of time it takes to execute things.