Harmon Group Reviews

Pros

Harmon Group is a fast moving, future focussed Ad Agency. Nashville is a small town and reputations travel fast, Harmon Group is making a great name for itself in the creative industry here. I've been encouraged and challenged - both of which make my work better. This combined with a desire to not only move the Agency forward in new avenues, but to bring our clients with us and expand there business makes Harmon Group one of the most exciting places in Nashville to work.

Cons

High standards come with hard work and the creative process can be taxing, but nothing good ever comes from anything easy.

Pros

Put plain and simply, Harmon Group operates on a "Top Down" management style. I worked there 7 years, and over the course of my employment, I enjoyed my job and the people I worked with. A reoccuring theme that I encountered over those years was a dissatisfaction among (especially) Account Executives. There was indeed a problem with the company, but the problem did not lie with the management as many others would suggest. The problems (in my personal experience) were with some of the people they hired. A lot of fresh faced folks that have been in the workforce for less than 10 years or so, have no idea how a "top down" management structure works. A LOT of the people I worked with had no clue about how this "works". Allow me to explain. It's simple really. Upper management directs the company. Upper management decides what needs to happen, they give instruction on the objectives, and expect that those objectives will be met. The minions (such as myself) are expected to perform whatever task they are presented with. See...it's pretty simple really. Do what you're told, how you're told, and when your told. Upper management at Harmon Group fantastic to me personally and professionally. Overall, this was a great place to work, but you NEED to understand how a top down management style works, and you need to be comfortable with that.

Cons

The only real con I dealt with was that all cubicles were arranged so that your back was to the entrance (door). And your computer screen was clearly visible to whoever walked by. I guess it's not a real problem though, as long as you're doing what you're being paid to do.

Pros

I see some poor reviews on here and have to say this is an ad agency and to succeed in the agency world, you must be deadline driven and have a thick skin. If you do not possess these skills, then the ad agency world is not for you. The bonus at Harmon is that there is very talented (and friendly) team. Yes, the CEO is very demanding and the result is the output of some fine work. It is never boring.... its a busy place. There is a good work/life balance but the deadline always come first.... its an ad agency people. I do not agree or believe all of the harsh words of the previous post(s) but maybe I have more experience in the ad agency world.

Cons

High turn-over, low language filter if you are a person who requires a high one.

Pros

A lot of the photography we do is very demanding. It requires that you keep your skills sharp and your focus sharper. Many of our assignments present unique challenges that often require you to stretch out, learn new skills, and stay on top of your game. There's no such thing as getting in a rut in our studio. There are a lot of great, talented people working there who support each other.

Cons

The work we do, because of the exacting standards we have to maintain, is very stressful. Because our clients expect world class work our output is constantly reviewed and nothing gets out that isn't top notch. It can be exhausting.

Pros

A lot of the team are simply great, quality, creative people. I made some great connections.

Cons

The senior leadership is completely out of touch with the way marketing is going in today's technological world. Those in charge don't know how to use the newer marketing tools themselves, nor do they invest in the tools and team to execute them at the level they need to stay competitive. They are an old school ad agency model that is not ideal for clients or staff if they want to be competitive longterm.

Pros

I see a few disgruntled fist wavers on here, but my experience at the Harmon Group has been very positive. I've always been treated with respect by management and been recognized for a job well done. The staff is very bright and talented, and the atmosphere is actually quite relaxed--as long as you're getting the job done. Naturally, any ad agency can be a stressful place to work when deadlines loom--but that's just the nature of the beast.

Cons

There's not a lot of hand holding, so if you're inexperienced and timid, you might find it a little stressful. The demands of clients--and the high expectations of management--are probably better suited to a more seasoned employee.

Pros

There are a few decent people on staff here. I pray that their job seeking efforts are successful, and they find a better work environment elsewhere.

Cons

I'm amazed anyone has written positive reviews about this place. The CEO of Harmon barks out orders and talks to his employees like they're dirt, getting into shouting matches with them. He has no consideration of personal space or time - he is known for having other employees knock on the bathroom door to chase somebody down because he cannot wait. When he goes out of town on business, there is a huge sigh of relief in the office as NOBODY can stand being around him. He has created an oppressive, hostile work environment. To add to all the misery, I was not compensated fully on my final paycheck. The CEO will do or say anything - often lying to clients and employees - to make an extra buck. The company is a relic of the past and cannot compete with agencies in this millennium. It's a sad, sad place to work.

Pros

Apparently the people posting negative reviews have never had a really bad job. I have had bad jobs in the past and The Harmon Group is not one of them. A lot of spoiled ex-employees need to grow up and be responsible for their own workplace responsibilities. You reap what you sow in life and in your job. Good workers are treated with respect and compensated accordingly. The management has always done their best to be fair to their employees in my opinion.

Cons

Long hours. Very demanding quality is required.

Pros

People who work here are generally very talented and hardworking.

Cons

Harmon Group was probably a top-notch agency in 1989, so why not stick to what worked then. That is definitely the mentality of the CEO, Rick Arnemann. The CEO does not trust or empower those who understand contemporary marketing strategy. While there is plenty of talent among the staff at Harmon, it is continuously torn down by the CEO which results in excessive over promising and under delivering to clients. Harmon tries to project that the place has a unique ad agency culture. That is not the reality. Most employees here are just working a job and trying to keep their sanity while working for a CEO who lacks real management skills.

Pros

Due to high turnover rate, if you need a job, and you qualify, you most likely will get worried.

Cons

there's no centralized vision from the leadership, as well as no set philosophy that drives the team, how we approach clients, why we do what we do - for a company that attempts to "do branding," they are still tied to old methods of management, thinking, and employee teamwork.