Hill+Knowlton Strategies Reviews

Pros

I'm truly enjoying this season in my work life. I get to work with very smart, knowledgeable people across the globe who are committed to making our employees' lives better. I am empowered to make decisions, properly equipped to do my job, but most importantly, treated with respect and trust. As I work to take my career to the next level, I’m building meaningful, trust-based relationships that motivate me to give my best and add value in every aspect of my work. I've been given opportunities to work on global projects and initiatives that truly demonstrate the company's commitment to help our employees grow and thrive with us. On top of that, and more importantly from a personal perspective, I have found the work-life balance I so much needed and thought unattainable.

Cons

Managing time zone differences and people's schedules can be a challenge when you do global work, but is that challenge what at the same time makes the work exciting.

Pros

None except maybe the people who are in misery with you

Cons

Everything. The president is horrible. Don't do it. The agency brand is well-known but this office isn't worth the name on your resume. Just leave. Or stay there two months to get set up and then leave. Either way this is not long-term. I haven't worked there in years and I still have PTSD.

Pros

World class clients, great environment, collaborative. Love the boss.

Cons

PR requires long hours. It’s 24/7 client service. Not for the lazy.

Pros

There is not a single thing that is worth working here.

Cons

The H+K Miami office was originally an agency named SAMCOR, this agency was acquired by H+K but contains none of the company's ethical values. The HR department is basically non-existent, the "president" of the Miami office is extremely disrespectful and unprofessional. She is consistently degrading her employees, has no concept of modern day communication tools, and shows up to the office at 3 pm, making everyone stay until she leaves at 8/9/10 pm. If you notice they are consistently looking for a "senior account executive" that is because not a single new hire stays. Working at this office may present you with the opportunity to work with influential hospitality/tourism industry clients, but in doing so you will forsake mental stability, physical well-being and happiness.

Pros

Great network of H+K agencies worldwide, renowned clients, amazing benefits.

Cons

Where do I even begin. Initially, when I was hired at H+K two years ago, I was working for two smart, knowledgeable PR professionals in the LATAM division. After many changes and downsizing in LATAM, I was tasked with working at the Miami office. Before even starting the transition, I was warned that the Miami office had high churn and the management was a joke. What can I say... I wish I would’ve listened to what others warned me about. My first two weeks, two people put in their resignation, one of them was told to not even conclude her two weeks notice and was told to hand in her keys three days shy of her exit interview. This left one fellow, one account executive, myself and a VP as the only full-time employees in an agency managing several multi-million dollar accounts. We were severely understaffed. The root of the problem? the President. Though she’s had many years in the industry, she has zero respect for employee work hours. She comes in at 11:00am daily, goes to the gym mid-day and insists that employees come in at 8:30am, forcing them to stay past 6, including Fridays, to compensate for the time she’s not physically in the office. (There were times I was there until 8:30 pm on a Friday while she corrected and dictated word-for-word a report until it was completed). She would interrupt time off and sick days with constant calls, texts and emails with the expectation that they get answered promptly. Constant yelling and shouting at employees instead of providing constructive feedback on work that took hours to complete. She is zero receptive to new, innovative ideas, because of her antiquated ways. She has a forward-thinking VP (Holly) supporting our team, and to help the office obtain new business and project work, and yet overrules her every chance she gets. She has belittled not only myself, but several employees in the office, questioning their career choice. The work culture is a joke. Lourdes and Laura (finance/office management) are the only one’s that try to implement some sort of excitement in the workplace and that lasts from 8:30-11am, while the President is not around. The mood changes completely once she’s in the office. She uses the H+K name to justify her actions/demands, giving those that are more junior a false impression of what it’s like to work for this company. Lastly, during my two week notice, I was told by her I could not reach out to HR in NY to conduct my exit interview. Wonder why... Overall, the accounts and client work is fun, manageable and exciting . It’s a shame that many won’t speak up to change the many flaws this office has as a result of one person.