We need to make a public list of agencies who treated people well, and horribly, so when these same agencies desperately need people, we can go to the good ones and leave the horrible ones to fall apart.

likesmartupliftinghelpfulfunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

As someone who’s been full time at a handful of agencies for a long time, and then freelanced at another dozen, I’m going to say this: the list of agencies who treat people like billable hours with a name is long, and the list of agencies that treat people like people fits on a post-it note.

likesmartupliftinghelpful

Can I get those post it note names? @CD1

like

Leo Burnett Chicago did pretty well so far. I may be wrong but it seems like Publicis as a whole was on a scale of pretty good to great on their response.

Pretty fast on social distancing to begin with, shipped all my hardware to my home, and my client has been reasonable (our leadership set expectations properly back in Feb/ March to allow fluctuations in timing). No layoffs yet, and I haven’t seen a pay cut.

We also receive weekly updates from Publicis, and biweekly from our own leadership.

Overall I have a better opinion of Publicis and LB after this than I did prior to Covid, which is surprising.

likesmart

Leadership at Leo is doing very well.
The town hall last week was inspiring and good to keep track on what people are working on.

likefunny
Recent IconRecent

There are agencies where the executive team is taking 20% pay cuts and there have been no layoffs, and there are agencies where the executive team collected a march bonus, took no pay cuts, and fired staff. Both of these groups include major and smaller agencies. You would be surprised. And it should be public.

likeupliftingsmarthelpful

Our leadership took bonus cuts and we retained all staff. People should spread good business practices where people were protected. Threads like this should be where we speak up.

like

To build on this, clients (both brands and individual CMOs) deserve to have their reputations open to scrutiny the way agencies do. Why are there no report cards for brands? In this era of radical transparency and social media criticism I say their time has come. And if you are a cheap, stupid amateurish client that doesn’t really know what they are doing then there should be a forum where this can be laid bare for all the world to see.

likesmartuplifting

I get that a lot of agencies behave like shit and very few act decent but I think what is going on in this industry is unacceptable. We never stop working, we give up our lives, our physical health, our sanity, in return for what?!
We need to start holding this places accountable.

likesmart

Reminds me of Stan from Mad Men “Reality got her. You work your ass off for months, bite your nails, for what? Heinz...baked...beans.”

I would gladly take you that account now though. Or really any other day. Le sigh

likesmart

Anomaly bad

likesmart

GS&P has handled the situation extremely well and continues to be transparent and communicative with everyone. Very happy to be here right now compared to where I’ve been in the past...

likesmart

Liz is WW CCO and chicago CCO

like

Someone should start a spreadsheet similar to the ad industry salary spreadsheet.

Agency name, city, what was the agency work from home response, what was the personnel response?

For instance, I would love to anonymously report that my agency asked every employee to take a cut, but didn’t offer any details on what exec leadership was doing beyond that they took “a larger cut.” Did they give back bonuses from last year? How much larger of a cut is appropriate for C-level positions vs the plebes on the floor? Idk...I’d like to know what percentage cut they took, and what bonuses or other compensation they gave back though...

like

Google “Real Agency Salaries”. Should be in the top results.

like

Ueno just laid off 35% of staff - one year after sinking a million dollars into a brand new shiny office in IS and holding a costly ‘un-conference’. Short sighted decisions from leadership (read CEO) weren’t cited as a cause, rather new biz pipeline and Covid were scapegoated. We’ll see if another round comes this year...

likehelpful

May be a good opportunity to change the name? Or add another consonant?

likefunny

Agencies that have to let people go to to finances are not to blame. It’s how they do it. If leadership is taking bonuses. If they extend health benefits or if they don’t. If their layoffs target people over 40 or minorities. If their leaders are complete hypocrites with what they are saying in the trades and to clients, versus what’s actually happening. Today, clients want to work with partners and vendors they can standby. There is a culture of doing the right thing at many major companies. When the brand teams learned of how their agency partners have been treated, which is how they are really being treated in terms of the staff left to service them, they will call reviews. So the spreadsheet should be done in a very readable info graphic kind of way suitable for sending to the Fortune 500 CMOs, and posting on a million business community sites.

likesmartuplifting

Where do you work?

like

Madwell has been nothing short of amazing during this time. Full transparency. Reassurance. Will not be leaving this company for a while.

like

I've heard nothing but good things

like

Yeah that’ll show em.

Take that, hobbled industry! We laid off creative folks desperate to feed our families and unskilled at anything else that pays won’t tolerate this treatment more than 10 or 12 years, or however long it takes to get pushed out for being over 45.

likefunnysmart

VpCD: check this out didtheyhelp.com

likeupliftingfunny

We're all grown ups here VP. Give us the info and we can choose for ourselves

likesmarthelpful

Publicis Groupe as a whole is doing a great job so far. Weekly updates from the top and also from leaders. Transparency and a focus on our people first.

like

What Publicis are you working for, certainly not the one that I do. They had layoffs yesterday and apparently there will be more this week? Who, what and where would be helpful. I feel like I am dead man walking until Thursday.

like

Mindshare (and as far as I know, GroupM as well) has been absolutely fabulous. No layoffs that I have heard of, no pay cuts for general staff, great transparency and weekly check ins from local, national and global leadership. Feeling extremely lucky - this is how a great company is run.

like

DoDS, I know exactly what you’re talking about. But that was 4-5 years ago, no? I hold my statement that current Mindshare leadership has been great and things have changed since that era. I will retract my statement on GroupM as the same day I posted that they announced layoffs. I can see why you would still be disgruntled, but currently, we’re doing great.

likehelpful

What a horrible, typical “progressive” idea. Do you have enough insight in every agency’s situation to know why the decisions were made, the way they were made? It’s a free country with free enterprise and this makes this country unique and so strong. That’s what brought a lot of us immigrants here, the ability to run your business freely as long as you not breaking any laws. You want to blacklist agencies started and run by people, not the government. They are free to do whatever fits their business model and whatever is necessary to keep their firm alive. I had zero layoffs and so far everyone gets the same salary as before the crusis but I’d defend the right of every agency owner to make their business decisions on their own, without involvement of a mob.

funnylikesmart

Beyond laws, there’s human and business ethic...which is exactly what many agencies unfortunately lacking and, believe me clients are fully aware of that nowadays...as a result agency reputation is on a downward spiral.

like

The Community. They think they have slaves instead of creatives

likehelpfulfunny

Yes. I’ve heard this a lot. Had a lot of friends there at some point. They all came out with mental breakdowns.

likesmart

Was just talking about this with my non advertising friends. Consumers are definitely taking notice.

like

Yeah was talking about brands. They don’t know what a WPP is 😂

like

Small market agency, but HLK has been killing it. Releasing fully transparent numbers. Zero reductions in salary or staff as of yet.

likeuplifting

Didn’t HLK pretty much gut its Denver office?

like

Doing a spreadsheet and chances of being tracked can literally eliminate someone from this industry. The method should insure privacy as well as authenticate its validity.

likesmartuplifting

Related Posts

like

please help me how to apply performance test engineer jobs in nagarro please let me know

like

Hi,

I am 31. Married for 12 years. I spoke to my doctor two days ago about sterilization. It was the first time a gynecologist didn't judge me for that. I know they're supposed to council because of the risk of regret, but sometimes they seem judgy. I am considering getting my tubes tied, but my husband isn't super on board because of the finality of it.

He is ok with not having kids, but seems to think I will change my mind.

Anyone taken this step without having had a y children?

like

When you have a hot bod but your face is ugly 🙃🙃🙃

likefunny

How much of a raise are you getting for 2023?

like

Anyone snag the John Mayer x Hodinkee gshock?

like

I have a $40 voucher for Uber eats. How would you use it?

like

Any idea. How is IIM bangalore 2 year weekend MBA?

like

What are your top Excel ninja tricks? Ones that few people know...

like

When I became a scientist, I thought I'd become Iron Man. Turns out I'm more Dr Strange, except that I'm not a doctor.

likefunny

Decent food in SLC airport? Had catcora's last Thursday and got sick as a dog 🤢

like

So you’re single. You travel alone. What do you need most?

like

Could anyone please fill me on the current salary for a Manager 2 in US Tax based out of EY GDS India ?

I understand the salaries vary even at the same level but just wanted to get an Idea & make sure i am not being lowballed.

like

Hello Fishes, I am a Servicenow developer with 3+ years of experience.
Currently having offer from wipro of 13.5 Lpa is it worth joining ?

How is career growth, job security and work/life balance in wipro?

Thanks

like

What are other account directors making right now?

like

Hi fishes, can you guys share your favorite websites to look for remote job? To look for start up companies? TIA :)

like

Campervan or hostels/hotels with car in Iceland? Looking for advice. Planning a 5 day trip in September

like

Happy to announce my new book Food & Beverage Magazine's Guide to Restaurant Success! available on Amazon

Post Photo
like

Looking for recommendation - Anyone here uses air purifier for allergies and which one?

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

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

I’ve been laid off and, as I embark on my job search, I’d like to keep my marketing skills sharp. Any recommendations on must read books, or resources?

like

Are raises given after yearly performance reviews?

like

Any advice on how to deal with a bad performance review?

like

What are the benefits like at Droga5 vs Widen + Kennedy?

likesmart

I see a lot of people complain about how shitty the industry is (and it's well deserved). But let's hear from those who love their job. Tell us why you're happy in advertising.

likefunny

Going to apply for a credit card. What do you have/wish you had?

like

Just saw a banner ad for Smirnoff. Headline: Welcome to the FUN percent. Y’all need to stop it with this nonsense.

likefunnyuplifting

I've been working in my role for 4 months straight out of uni. My pay is low and my work is easy. how long before I should look for a new job?

like

How involved are PMs at your agency? What are their responsibilities on different types of projects? Ours seem to be resource managers and time trackers only. Feels redundant.

like

So what was the thinking behind the agency "MUH-TAY-ZIK | HOF-FER" name? How the hell do their clients even pronounce their name? 🙄

like

What do you do if your former boss asks you to grab lunch although you are happy at your current agency?

like

I’m a Junior Copywriter from New Zealand but I’m moving to London in September. Any tips on landing a job over there?

like

Pretty quiet around here today. Looking forward to the evening/drunken hours when all the trenchant snark comes to life.

likefunny

Saving for a down payment vs. aggressively paying down student loans vs. retirement...what are your strategies?

like

If we actually did move to a single payer healthcare system (Medicare for all) and companies no longer offered healthcare plans, would you switch from staff to freelance?

like

What should a senior AD / ACD ask for per hour / day going freelance?

like

Anyone done Austalia's Work and Holiday Visa (the year for adults under 30 thing), and snag an industy or industry-adjacent gig? How hard is it to land one when it's so short-term from the start?

like

For those of you who have fled LA, NY, SF for smaller markets — how on earth did you deal with the pay cut?!

like

What are the pros/cons of moving from WPP to IPG? I can’t give specifics about which agencies but I’m curious in a general sense about benefits, compensation, career growth, culture, etc.

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