McCann Erickson Reviews

Pros

Great people to work with. Lots of flexibility and openness to the creative directors. Homelike feeling with a professional vibe.

Cons

Still undergoing a transformation period, not sure what the next clients will offer to the agency. Might be a gamble.

Advice to Senior Management

Good job on finding out what is going on with the interns on the ground floor. It makes for a good transparent work environment.

Pros

Supportive people, large and well reputed agency. McCann Erickson is a good name to have on your resume, particularly if you're interested in carrying on a career in advertising.

Cons

Not many young people, high bureaucratic, which makes it difficult to move within the organisation. There's a general lack of creatively, and not everyone seems to know each other, which would make the experience more sociable and conducive to company pride.

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate more with junior employees. Host more events where people get to meet you and know you.

Pros

new management in creative and account that seems to be genuine and not as politically motivated. However, have a lot of negativity they have to overcome

Cons

POLITICAL! not human, bad energy, lack positivity - often buzz kill for new ideas because not an environment that encourages play and failure.

Advice to Senior Management

Encourage safe environment for play and failure.

Pros

The best part about McCann Erickson is their name still carries some weight

Cons

Very little opportunity to be innovative, grow or excel. Leadership is paranoid and offers no transparency into their decisions.

Pros

Name has recognition around the world

Cons

Top heavy
No follow through
You feel isolated from everything
Swedish Hub

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate

Pros

Friendly workers. I'm having a difficult time thinking of anything else. Work is mediocre but slowly getting better.

Cons

'hiving' is code word for people doing work far beyond their job title. I thought it would be a great opportunity to be able to work WITH other departments, not do their work for them. In return, it means you stay late doing other people's.

Advice to Senior Management

High school clicks are over.

Pros

- Comfortable work environment
- Good benefits
- Relatively diverse base of clients compared with other Detroit shops--and these clients, especially Michigan Tourism and ALDI, are good, smart clients who really seem to appreciate the agency
- Great location

Cons

- Not a place that's willing to push the envelope in terms of creative
- Weak account management compared with other agencies (even within the same market)
- Poor information sharing outside just a few mangers at the top
- Too quick to sacrifice quality for whatever project-based fees they can get from GM

Pros

McCann is great for a work/family balance. I've never had a problem getting time off when needed, even when it's an emergency and I have to leave immediately. When I was more junior I was afforded a lot of opportunity. The environment is collaborate and open. Management seems to be trying to increase morale through summer deck parties and more open communication.

Cons

Communication is lacking. People come and go and there's no introduction or communication about that. It's not uncommon to have a new team member come on board and not know a thing about it. The office is full; employees are 2 to an office, and getting a conference room is a daily battle. Parking is limited; there's garage parking for senior management, but there's a waitlist for that (for those lucky few who get promoted). Otherwise, employees park in a city deck and walk about a block into the office. Promotions come only after fighting for them - at least 2 years, often longer.

Advice to Senior Management

Improve communication with employees. I can't stress that enough. I haven't heard a thing from our CEO in over a month.

Pros

But the culture is dying

Cons

poor management, no recognition, training and compensation.

Pros

The people were friendly and the social environment was fun, young and very flexible. There were some good perks such as watching movies at Sony Studios and beer Fridays.

Cons

Workplace advancement route is vague - not clearly outlined. The corporate environment felt stodgy and rigid. There were some signs that the account side is more important than the work from creative.

Advice to Senior Management

Make sure the work is always supported by account, not the other way around. Also, make it clear how employees can move up and in what time frame. Otherwise, we'll bolt.