WE Communications Reviews

Cons

Pay could be a little more competitive.

Cons

The environment really changed over the years I was there. Was always a little competitive (most agencies are) but agency leadership seems to be leaning into it and the comments around the "mean girls" type vibe aren't much of an exaggeration. Other things to be aware of:
*Opportunities to work on some of the splashier sounding accounts or any of the non-profit/CSR orgs are few and far between.
*Work on the Microsoft account is pretty dreary and the client dynamic is tough. Account teams and their clients frequently compete against each other for opportunities. It's pretty awkward.
*Teams are very inconsistent about advancement so make sure you go in with a clear plan and document, document, document.
*Benefits have dwindled over the years.

Cons

One of the worst management team I have experienced.

Cons

Bad management, "mean girls" culture, promotion of people into non-PR specialist senior roles who have no relevant experience, just because they're good at PR. So much time spinning each other, nobody knows what's real.

Cons

Drink the kool-aid to survive. It was utterly bizarre working with communication professionals, yet most people there are incapable of communicating honestly or directly with each other, which made it almost impossible to work. Understanding this "WE culture" is crucial to getting by there. An incredibly poisonous internal culture that is aggressively cultivated.

Cons

It takes awhile to work through some of the passive aggressive behaviors that some employees exude.

Cons

Low salaries. It's clear from day 1 that they don't expect anyone to stay and retire here.
Bizarre benefit range. A company created by women and packed with younger women offers two weeks parental leave.

Terrible management that encourages people to turn on each other in the name of competition. No promotion track outside of management, so people who don't want to be/aren't qualified to be managers are given direct reports without proper training.

Constant layoffs means everyone lives in fear of losing their job. Being a PR agency, everyone works hard at spinning bad situations rather than trying to improve them.

Cons

Utter inability to see potential, upper personnel keep moving up while lower personnel stay at the same place for eternity.

Cons

The agency has become a dead end. They are not considered innovative in the market and have not secured a new, major client since landing Microsoft in the 80s. I have learned so much more about the changing field of communications since leaving.

If you don't fit the mold, you may lose your soul trying. I've seen the term "mean girl" used to describe the work environment, and I would have to agree. Senior management is made up of what they call "lifers." Those who have been there 15+ years and who have completely lost touch. The mold to get to senior management is the sorority, alpha female type who bullies and undermines the confidence of those around them to give the appearance of "managing." Senior leadership postures and positions well, but in the end accomplishes fairly worn-out, mediocre work. This seems to be rewarded for some reason. You really don't realize how much confidence you have lost and how much of yourself you have given up trying to move up until you leave, and then you feel as though you escaped an abusive relationship. I know this could be said of many work environments, but I wouldn't chose this again.

Cons

Not very energetic on some teams