RTC Reviews

Pros

Very collaborative and fun office environment. Access to world class agency resources and clients. Insight into all aspects of a marketing program. Generally, the people here are very smart, competent and passionate.

Cons

Being part of a larger company has its drawbacks, primarily stemming from the need to manage overhead and staff costs very tightly at a macro level. The biggest concern I have is that I question the commitment of executive management to making the tough decisions and changes that need to be made if we are to continue to compete in a changing environment. Traditional advertising models are on their way out. Only agencies led with purpose and vision will be left. Our leadership often seems to have its head buried in the sand.

Pros

- flexible hours, good benefits, decent pay, exciting industry and customers, positioned for growth, good name in the industry if using it as a resume builder

Cons

out of touch sr management, some Sr. managers have been promoted beyond their ability (one even admitted it to me!), hard to get things done if not on one of the dedicated account teams that make up a majority of the business, unclear messages on performance and how to improve,

Advice to Senior Management

Stop believing that because your managers have been there for 20 years that there is no new ways to do things. You hire seasoned professionals and expect them to fit into the holes that you feel appropriate. Let them grow and show them what they can do...or hire moldable college grads for a lot less money.

Pros

Good location, people try to work past inept management to deliver solid product to their clients...

Cons

Unfortunately most everyone is working around leadership who don't give a crap about providing resources, headcount or guidance to teams. Infighting and politics galore.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't need more upper level posturing, invest in folks and increase retention

Pros

Casual atmosphere - can wear tshirts and jeans any day of the week. RTC makes a great effort to plan social events and create an office culture.

There really are some smart people who work here.

Benefits: Good vacation time (10 days/year, plus 4 summer fridays, 3 december days, 3 personal days and 3 floating holidays), Pay your own medical/dental/vision, 401K matching after 1st year, Wii and ping pong table in office

Cons

The office "culture" that senior management tries to create here isn't what they think it is. I think they see it as a fun workplace with open communication, but I think most employees would disagree.

Management seems to pick favorites and those are the people that have a chance to succeed and be promoted. Everyone else is kind of stuck. I've been here 4 years and have received only 1 raise, despite positive performance reviews. RTC doesn't value its employees and it shows.

The agency doesn't work efficiently and does not seem open to change. Everyone talks about "process" but there isn't one clearly defined.

Lastly, working in Georgetown is a pain. No metro and traffic is awful. Plus you have to deal with Georgetown tourists on a daily basis. And there are few good lunch options in the area.

Advice to Senior Management

The one real strength of the agency is that it's part of a well-known network of agencies. Taking on the Wunderman or Y&R name would give legitimacy to RTC. It seems like executive management lives in a bubble when they say that RTC is well-known in the industry. When I tell friends at other agencies that I work for RTC, no one has ever heard of it.

Stop talking in terms of big, lofty goals and start doing something! Your employees don't need to be sold to. Let them know what's going on in actual, concrete terms and the agency will feel much more open.

Pros

RTCRM has the reputation of being a great Direct Marketing place in DC.Its in the Foundry building which is a cool place to go to work everyday. There is some good people there that care about RTC being successful--yet they are never heard. They are open to change, but don't know how to go about it.

Cons

They are trying to become an advertising agency and focus on the creative work now. Not going to happen until they fire and start over. The place still thinks, acts and performs like a DM shop and handles creative like a production house. Just a bunch of worker bees and no culture. Very depressing place and everyone is bitter yet they choose not to quit. They are all lifers and love to do the bare minimum.

Advice to Senior Management

no. Maybe a title change here and there but forget about raises and bonuses. Once in a blue moon type thing.

Pros

Casual Friday every day
Monday Bagels
Thursday Fruit
Bright and airy workspace
The people are wonderful - friendly and nice

Cons

Management is secretive, despite attempts to "be more transparent"
Senior Management allows for canned answers from HR
Senior Management likes using catch phrases that often sound as if they are talking in circles.
Cannot decide if we are a corporate company or a family minded company. They rule as a disembodied corporate head - and behave as a small business. Causes confusion and frustration in the staff.

Advice to Senior Management

There are large divides in the staff opinion. No one voice speaks for all. Management is divided. It's easy to see there is no unity. Barry is gone frequently and Jeff stays in his office unless there is a meeting he should attend. He's unapproachable and others I've spoken to feel he's disapproving. The new ECD is friendly and inviting, but we wonder how long he'll last. They seem to treat their assistants poorly, this is the only company that has a revolving door on that position! I've seen 4 people in that role while I've been here. That says something about the senior management.

Management - please stop listening to the handful of whiners and complainers that oppose everything. If we are to be a "new digital agency" we need to stop behaving as if it's the mid-90s. The workplace is changing - the culture is changing. If we don't, we'll simply be washed over by those that do.

Pros

Brilliant group of collaborative individuals who focus their energies on great work and believe good ideas can come from anywhere, in any department at any level.

Cons

Organizational changes have had mediocre impact.

Advice to Senior Management

Define a vision and plan that gets the company's A+ talent a chance at center stage and generate some name recognition. The product is awesome, but few people know about it.

Pros

The people and the environment

Cons

Lots of meetings, some unecessary

Advice to Senior Management

Not much advice, love the people and the company

Pros

The people and talent. Culture is great.

Cons

Limited opportunities to work remotely.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more flexible around schedules and allow for more remote work. Plan billable projects better to allow for thinking rather than fire drills.

Pros

Employees are very intelligent and teamwork is highly valued. Management is accessible and there is lots of room for growth upward and laterally.

Cons

As with any agency, the hours can be longer than 9 to 5. The work is based on relationship marketing so don't expect to work with a lot of branding.

Advice to Senior Management

You have created a wonderful corporate culture of very smart, dedicated, and fun people. Be sure to keep up the good work.