Anyone working on Samsung? I’ve heard they are a tough client, but aren’t most? Thinking of making the jump and seeking opinions and advice.

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Oh they do anything they want. The Koreans will ask to change the color of the bathroom walls even though someone is moved in and taking a piss at the very moment. They also won’t pay the painter after the job because they just forgot to secure the funds and contracts are not binding... but swear to god they are good for it!

like

In my experience, they're more erratic than tough. Which can be hell for the agency. There are some very very good marketers there. Especially at the senior level. But the business is very disorganised. Especially when it comes to local vs global. And confusing input from the different areas of the business can be frustrating. But they have huge plus points. The fact that they're huge being one of them. Get something they like and it's suddenly everywhere. They outspend Apple something like 10 to 1 in media. And they genuinely want to do creative stuff (though they don't always know what that is). Plus, they have massive ambitions, like a challenger (even though they're actually the leader). I personally love the 'do what you can't' positioning because it's designed to be disruptive. And if you can survive working with them, you can survive anything. In my experience.

like

In 25 years in advertising, I've never had a worse client than Samsung global. Never.

likehelpful

Agreed 💯

like

Leo Burnett - worked with Korea’s HQ and 48 markets - they are a tough client and you are better prepared if you study Korean culture - it’ll help A LOT. Everything from decks, seating arrangements, contracts, etc. Let’s just say this - when I first met Rich Stoddart (former LB CEO) at the always fun LB Breakfast (lots of libations), and he learned I worked on Samsung, he put his hand on my shoulder and said “sincerely best of luck on that”. Susan Credle never touched it. Legal and finance hated them as contracts and SOW’s were only suggestions to them. Also, between HQ, and their different verticals (appliances, mobile, TV, IT, etc) you have to treat each one like a different client. And we were constantly pitching and having to prove our worth on everything even though we were the AOR for global. Billings $30mil+. Lots of long hours, time difference makes 7am and 7pm calls the norm. That being said, there are huge opportunities to make world-class work and learn a lot from smart clients. Huge budgets, huge global footprint, and if you do well, you can work on anything. Biggest factor is Korean culture.

likefunny

CD1 is the nicest experience I've heard about Samsung. All I knew to stay away was 3am meetings because I heard they work on Korea time with no consideration to the others time zones.

likehelpful

I worked on Samsung Global for two years (global business, mobile) and the best way to summarize my experience is with Charles Dickens- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

like

What broke you? The last minute changes? The 1am calls with Korea? Having your work torn down by Pio in front of your client and all the other agencies? All of the above?

like

Plz join and give us an update in month 2

like

The client that is single handedly responsible for the crippling anxiety and 2am panic attacks that I now suffer from (with a few ER trips thrown in for good measure). Those long days/nights, last minute changes, and middle of the night calls with folks in Korea took their toll.

Working on US business (SEA) is definitely better, due to lack of a cultural gap and slightly better working hours. But the local business still has the same culture of demanding a lot from their agencies, with no lead time, and playing them off against each other.

Also, the guy who manages all their agencies, globally, is an absolute tyrant but really leans into that reputation. I actually ENJOYED working with him the few times that I did, because I knew what I was getting. With other clients at Samsung, I wasn’t so fortunate. A lot of “this looks good” one minute followed by “this needs to change completely” the next.

like

Hm, yes this is not normal.

like

Who wants normal? ;)

OP creative director has left the game

likesmartfunny

Good for you!! Gotta do you, ya only live once!! No time to stress and be miserable every single day (including weekends since you will likely work, or think/dread about work)

smart

Global is insanely convoluted and awfully difficult. US domestic is more creative. Or at least they used to be

like

Again, ha!

like

Samsung (along with Verizon) is one of the few clients at my agency that people will literally move mountains NOT to work on

likesmart

I’ve worked on it with Korean clients. It was tough. I probably wouldn’t again.

I’ve heard American clients are better.

But I also get RGA reaching out to me every 12 to 18 months and it’s always for Samsung and always under different cds, so feels like lots of turnover from my perspective

like

The lead clients will treat you like trash. Nay, worse than trash. A scum filled dumpster. They will say they want to do big things and you'll believe them at first, reminding yourself great work doesn't happen without The Grind. But you'll churn and spin over holidays, weekends, and 4am meetings, with nothing really to show for it, only to wake up one day, in a soju induced fog. You'll wipe the sweat from your brow, and a tear from your eye, decide enough is enough, and never look back.

likeupliftinghelpful

@AD1 I remember those 3am meetings. Our senior client heard about those meetings and said "this is never happening again - so disrespectful to the agency". And it never happened again. I guess it all depends which part of Samsung you're working with.

likeuplifting

I work on the media side of things. Here’s how I see it: Samsung treats the creative agency as a passionate fling that is short lived and plans to divorce the media agency after a long and troubled marriage. Global clients are fickle and reserve to change their minds at the last minute. This unfortunately also drives the Local clients mad as well. If you’re stuck with Samsung, better Local like the US than Global clients.

likehelpful

Get ready for weird hours, lots of last minute total redos, and some very confusing feedback that even has account shaking their head. As a CD you may get some long flights in there combined with a short trip and...phone calls at weird hours. I second that they are a client you will move mountains not to work on.

like

And they are tougher than most clients

like

Related Posts

Brand Strategy VP-SVP- Aspiring SVP Our client, a Manhattan pharmaceutical digital advertising agency is looking for a VP or SVP Brand Strategy... Experience working on a brand w. multiple indications in oncology space (ideally) & actively working on approx. $7 mil. revenue.
1st. interviews will be internal/work remote
Candidate will be asked to present to the agency, then to client. The salary range is $165 to $210++ negotiable Contact us for job description.
Stay Safe
Nicole

like

Hi folks,
There are multiple openings in Thoughtworks for the below roles. Share your Tech Stack and YOE. I will refer you if your details would be matching with any of the profile's JD :
Data Engineer
Application developer
Devops
Quality analyst
Retail domain specialist
Principal technologist (retail domain)
Retail business analyst
Project manager
Product manager
Infrastructure consultant
Experience designer
Technical recruiter
Cyber security
Cloud architect
Content writer
UI developer

like
like

just wondering who else is in the construction business as a superintendent/project management in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and what the salary range is? are you getting bonuses per job completion?

like

Guys can anyone make me understand that what is Infosys process for promotion because today my sister got promoted to senior operation executive but no salary hike or bonus or anything.

like

How is TCS for a scrum master role? Currently I'm working with Capgemini.

Hi..in IBM ISL do we have client interview and bench? Plzz respond asap@..ISL members

like

Dear All,
Hope you're all well.
I have a query and I believe I can get some valuable inputs from you.

Myself Gautham, a certified PMP and Six Sigma Green belt Project Manager.
I have a Master's degree in Global Production Engineering (Industrial Engineering & Management) and 5 years of experience into Project Management . As of now i have been working in Software Industry for 3 years but I want to switch back to Automotive.
Is this possible? Can I get some leads?

Thanks in advance
Gautham

like

Hi Folks,

I am working in Deloitte as a Assistant Manager in Risk Advisory and I am working as Threat Hunter and Threat Intel in MDR, EDR and XDR technologies, I do have 6years of experience in Information Security Domain. I got the opportunity in Spain Madrid in Deloitte Europe location.
I wanted to ask as per my experience and profile what kind of salary bracket should I ask ? Also after deductions or in hand salary, is it manageable to live in Madrid Spain.
Kindly Suggest on this 😃

like

I am planning to switch to PWC from Deloitte for a machine learning engineer role (I know it will be a mix of data engineering and data science and not skewed to the right)

Is it worth the jump?

Have a date coming over tonight but just got hit with an urgent deck fix request - shouldn't take long but worried that date will be bothered to wait around the apartment while I fix it up? But I'm also thinking it might be impressive to her to see that I'm working with a high-value client and high $ figures. Wanted to see what ya'lls take on this was... wish me luck!

funnylike

Anyone know the salary band for Senior Consultants @ Capco in Dallas?

like

Interviewing with Gartner for business development manager position. I’m not sure where to start with salary discussion. Does anyone have info on a range for this position? Also interested in information about this position if anyone is familiar with the company. Thank you.

like

Hi everyone ,
I am currently working in client side application development with technologies like jquery, javascript, angular and java server pages.
Can anyone from CTS or Accenture refer me?
Am trying to switch after working for 2 years in my current company.

like

Planning a move to Big 4 consulting in London from Singapore for a senior consultant role. Secured a first round interview with Deloitte - any advice, salary guidance or tips?

like

Suggestion for Senior Project Manager in Sapiens Bangalore. I am yet to get into offer discussion. Have around 17 years of experience

like

Any review on globant EY project?

like

What is the current salary structure of Senior 1 & Senior 2 in EY GDS for IT Audit domain (Business Consulting > Technology Risk)? EY EY India

like

I have recently got an offer as V and V designer in Alstom with 13lpa, yoe-5 yrs

How is the role and company culture?

I have neither heard about V and V designer role nor the company name.

like

More Posts

Does anyone know what industries / competencies got hit by the layoffs yesterday? A few people mentioned it, but no one gave any details.

like

My current package is 22LPA, designation Senior Engineer, experience 5.5 years , joined Nagarro exactly 1 year back. How much increment can I expect in my appraisal which will be in this month?Nagarro

like

Recently Store Managers have been offering me jobs from different locations but same company in my town. The company is T-Mobile. It’s going to be my first job. I have a couple questions for any former/current employees. Is it better to work for T-Mobile, metro by T-Mobile, or a third party T-Mobile? Any difference in benefits or wage? Thanks

like

“Judy Dench in Cats is a cautionary tale to not agree to extremely short timelines...cat paws need fur!”

likefunny

To all my new construction home buyers or people with an eye for interior design. I just purchased a new build and have the ability of selecting all of the interior (floor type, carpet color, cabinets, back splash, counter tops etc.) Any advice on how to select timeless finishes vs trendy? What are things I should avoid?

like

Lenox Hill "Pandemic" episode. Heartbreaking and frustrating.

like

Anyone open to providing a referral to CrowdStrike Canada?

like

Now with the omicron variant, what's your take on working from office / home?

Post Photo
helpfulfunnyupliftinglikesmart

First night of Ferber method with our 6 month old. Wish me luck

like

I drank a bottle of wine by myself. Winner winner chicken dinner.

likefunny

I’m a sr litigation assistant at a boutique firm. I have been task to recruit, interview and hire new talent. I am shocked to hear that non-attorneys are seeking hourly rates and annual salaries higher than post-bar law clerks and first year attorneys. Is this the new norm???

like

Is anyone using Snowflake for any of their projects? Been researching it wanted to know if it lived up to the hype.

like

I got a dog and realised I am allergic. What should I do now?

like

Need help with 5th grade science question:
Materials that are good carriers of sound are known as what?

Tried google with no luck.

like

Where do you reckon the best company to be a sales engineer is? (Besides Salesforce 😉)

like

Just recieve the offer of pwc Mumbai as senior associate on Technical consultant.

Offer of CTC fixed:- 20 lpa

My yoe is 7.5 years

Is senior associate equivalent to senior consultant?
Also , I have hdfc bank offer of senior manager with 17 lpa fixed.

Which one is better?

like

Who hasn't cursed their email? Totes guilty here.

Post Photo
likefunny

Hi guys, I am a systems engg in TCS with 3 years exp. Technologies known: C, C++, Java, COBOL, Oracle DB, SQL, Unix/Linux, Shell scripting.
I had applied for Infosys in the company portal long back, but haven't got any replies yet. I am looking for the Developer/ Production support roles.
And I am in my notice period, lwd is 27th sept.
Also, have an offer from L&T with doj 29th Sept.
If any one can help me out with a interview referral, it would be great.
Thank you

FYI, if anyone is looking for a cool political podcast, Slow Burn (season 1 and 2) is so good! I’ve been binge listening, lol

likesmart

Additional Posts in Advertising

What’s blasting through your headphones?

like

How do you guys feel about double dipping? Working full time and freelancing else where on the side.

like

Can an American creative freelance in London? What visas do you need? Anyone done it?

like

When your CD kills your partners idea that you secretly didn’t like, but didn’t feel like fighting with them about 😮‍💨

likefunnyuplifting

Name a dating app just for people in advertising.

like

📋 So, this may have been asked before but: how did you get into advertising?

like

Would you rather live in Williamsburg or East Village?

like

Any creatives live in Las Vegas and commute weekly to LA for work or work part time remote?

likesmart

In this current advertising climate, if I get a freelance gig in pharma, I’ll be extremely grateful. Am I the only one who feels this way?

like

CCO and art partner are really close, only talk to each other in meetings. They even send each other emails and texts about this project and leave me out. But I end up doing all the work. What to do?

like

DDB Chicago posted ‘we’re hiring!’ today. For the same creative roles they just laid off.The press DDB would’ve gotten for being the first agency to bring people back? But instead they humiliated those people with this tone. Really sad!!!!!

likesmart

Great winter date ideas for NYC? First date, assume that getting drinks can be added onto any idea. Thanks 🔥

like

Any advice on how to handle an ECD who has turned your idea into something that’s been done thousands of times. About to go into production on something I’m quite sure could be a turkey.

like

Heard about layoffs at Digitas Boston today. Anyone have any info?

like

As a creative, what are the best kind of agencies/jobs for higher income? Im tired of the hunt for awards with low $

like

Why are you worried about the fate of agencies if you can just pack up and work for a brand? Agencies may be on the chopping block, but WE aren’t. Right?

like

Etiquette for declining an offer - is an email ok or does it warrant a phone call? Do you need to explain why? Don’t want to burn a bridge.

like

Any advice on how to transfer internally to another team/department?

likesmart

Getting so over the grind of New York but don’t want to give up the pace of my career. Where should I consider moving (PR necessary, healthcare preferred)

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal