ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) interview questions

The experience started off pretty normal. The initial phone screen with HR went over my general work history and experience. From there they made me take an Excel assessment to show my skill level. A lot of the assessment was basic, but definitely brush up before because the assessment only allows you so many clicks, so if you are searching around and do not do the task the exact way it wants you to, you're kinda out of luck. The second interview was with a lead digital marketing specialist on the team I would have been working on. She was very nice, well prepared, and engaged, and I felt the interview went well. The third interview was with the Executive Director of Marketing and felt a bit awkward. She seemed unprepared, asked only a few generic questions, and then the rest felt like forced small talk. I assumed it was just a formality. After that, I received an email congratulating me on moving into the post interview process and confirming the three references I had already submitted. Note: The initial application stated references could be personal or professional and did not mention needing to be direct supervisors. Shortly after I confirmed, HR emailed saying my references needed to be direct supervisors, which had never been communicated before. I provided additional references who were direct supervisors. HR later claimed my references could not verify they were my supervisors, which is not true. My references told me when called by ASI's HR, they were never asked if they had supervised me. Instead, they were asked about not only my experience, but THEIR experience. I followed up asking for an update and was ghosted for three weeks before receiving an automated rejection email. Considering the role only required 1-3 years of experience and the pay was not great, the intensity of the post interview process felt excessive and inconsistent. The whole situation just didn’t add up. I assume they hired someone that an employee knew as it is a family run agency. I just wish they didn't waste my time.