What are some signs that an agency is seriously going under? (other than layoffs)

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

When the new business pipeline dries up. Pay attention to the amount of pitches that are happening.

likesmarthelpful

^^^^scatter shot pitching 💯

likesmart

Pay attention to the client roster and look for 3 red flags:
1) If the agency is not bringing on new clients
2) If the agency is losing clients
3) If clients are cutting budgets and reducing spend

likesmart

💀

Recent IconRecent

Pushing for everyone to use AI and talking about efficiency relentlessly

likehelpful

Sounds like WPP

like

It’s got “IPG” in the title

likefunny

🫠

Hiring me as CCO.

likefunny

Matt?

When they use the words “rebuilding” and “turning a corner” in town halls

like

or worse… “restructuring”

like

1. A re-brand
2. Changes in executive leadership
3A. Loss of clients / turnover
3B. No new clients / dry pipeline
4. Lack of thought leadership
5. Stale or out-dated website
6. Employee turnover

like

When the CCO/CEO/CMOs etc start doing a lot of motivational all agency speeches, and ask everyone to not put anything on Fishbowl.

likehelpfulfunny

I love how many of the responses are people shitting on previous / current employers.

like

when expenses get rejected because my uber was “comfort” not “wait and save”

likefunny

Damn, your agency is poor poor.

I always just tell them, “I have Lyft pink so comfort was the same price. 🤷‍♂️”

like

There’s usually a very dramatic tightening of expenditure. No free drinks or snacks in the break room. A complete ban on the use of cabs and couriers. Everybody asked to turn off the lights and computers at the end of the day. And….most importantly…..there will be a very cheap, generic toilet paper in the washrooms. 😐

like

1. Your agency is too reliant on fees from their two or three largest clients to cover barely/unprofitable clients.
2. Can't win new business pitches.
3. Pitching accounts that don't make sense for the agency.
4. Starts to have a loser reputation in-town inhibiting the hiring of new, talented employees (more applicable for mid-sized/small-sized markets).
5. Lack of new blood in leadership to bring in thought change/a new approach.
6. Unexpected layoffs of top talent and/or they leave on their own.
7. Downgrading the office space from a skyscraper to something in the suburbs or a less luxurious space.

like

When leadership ONLY talks about money/budget and fights any attempt to prioritize education/growth or creativity.

like

When they stop stocking bread, milk, cereal etc... the small costs that add up over time

like

In my experience the official company line is normally incorrect but the info leaked by the CEO's EA/PA is normally correct and spread through the rumour mill.

like

When they do everything BBDO has been doing for at least a year.

funnyuplifting

Lots of ‘busy’ meetings between leadership

like

When the culture dies

likefunny

real estate downsizing, excessive new biz work, cutting down freelance spend, hiring freezes, centralizing functions or combining roles, not backfilling roles, and so forth.

like

Apparently dropping $17m on private jets when you can't make payroll is a flashing red light

likefunny

When Twix & Sneaker bars at the reception get replaced with Jolly Ranchers & Lifesavers

likefunny

One pack of extra gum for the entire floor

like

Listening….

like

Related Posts

We need a Late Night Confessions bowl

likesmart

One of my friends works as a Director in Nagarro. She has been there for 7 years and has a CTC of 42 with total yoe 17. Per current trend this is low even though she is a constant top performer. She says that even though delivery people play a pivotal role, they are not paid well. In her team, she sees technical people earning 45-50 at 10-11 yoe. So the factor is 2.5 for delivery vs 4.5 to 5 for technical roles. Per her, this is quite common in Nagarro & she is not an outlier. ctd in comments

likehelpful

Negotiation in new offer: I’m moving from fully remote to fully in office (with chance of hybrid later) offer for associate director in quality in pharma for 170k base, 18% bonus and 75k equity. I’ve asked for a sign on bonus as I’m not eligible for annual next year and will be missing my current jobs bonus. I should hear tomorrow (asking for 28k). Thoughts about the offer? Should I ask for more equity or is that standard? They’re public (currently ~$20)should I get the hybrid option in writing?

like

What groups are best at tax valuations (e.g. IP and other asset valuations)?

Is it usually done by tax service lines or advisory service lines?

like

Hello :) If your county is returning with ONLINE ONLY, have you been told your roll, or even IF you have a job to start? We are a week out and the support staff has zero information on the return plan pertaining to us.

Can sumone provide a reference for a person having 12+ years legal experience in multiple fields including litigation/consulting/advisory etc, in & around Delhi NCR?

like

Hello Fishes! I'm looking for a job change (In Pune or remote preferred) and I hope someone could help me with a referral.

Role: Scrum Master (PSM I certified)

Total Experience: 5.2 years with 2 years as SM and 3.2 as QA.

CTC: 8.2 LPA

Skill Set: Scrum, Scrumban, Agile, API Testing through Postman, Performance Testing through JMeter, JIRA, Bugzilla, SQL, JSON, REST, Manual Testing

Notice Period: 45 days.

In urgent need for relocation. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks.

like

Are any of the firms hiring for part time/primarily remote tax professionals? Is anyone aware of industry positions like this? I moved to industry a year ago but am realizing I’d really like to be 20-25 hours per week and WFH as frequently as possible. 10 years experience in primarily federal income tax/asc 740

like

I had customers tell me how amazing the salads I make for them. It’s great that I can make salads that good!

like

Having my worst of experience here in LTi, no projects updates, no one replies, no work, simply wasting time… how to grab internal projects anyone?

like

What’s a good experience gift for a 3 year old? She has gotten subscription boxes and tickets to museums in the past so anything that’s not that.

like

Hello all, what wud you prefer LA or New York keeping in mind next 5 years as peak career phase?

like

For anyone who is in the Mail order realm of Pharmacy, how is it such as pay, workload, etc. Also how did you get into the field of work?

Which one is a better career path for someone just starting in the construction industry? Design or project management? Whats a fair offer for an entry level position in each of them?

like

Any one has specflow dumps for CCA exam?

How long does it take for Infosys limited to allocate project to new joiners

like

I have $30 remaining in my technology subsidy. Can I use it to pay part of a purchase of an earphone set worth $200

Anyone interested in APM role? NYC based post-IPO company. Technical product and we’re seeking strategy background.

like

A friend of mine works with TCS as an Analyst, his base location is Bengaluru but he is been working from his hometown in Lucknow since the first COVID lockdown. Now he is being asked by his team to work from Ahmedabad, where his direct supervisor (manager) is working from. In this case, according to TCS talent policies, what is the procedure and the benefits that he can avail, as part of project initiated relocation? Also, how long it takes to get base location changed through HR in TCS?

funny

Anyone knows about orange business services, how is WLB, job security,Work Culture.. Need to decide in two days.


Please comment if you have any Idea... It will be very helpful for me.

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Any tricks for keeping up with social content trends? Anyone know of a site that tracks them?

like

Crushing real hard on my manager 😭😭😭

like

Dogs in offices are cool, but who's offering some comfy siesta benefits? 😴💤

likesmart

If you win an award for a category you don’t want to be known for (ex. Tobacco, B2B, or pharma), do you still mention it in your resume or book?

like

What y'all know about Space150?

like

So if the supporting rules(PM, BA, Digital producer. Etc) within an ad agency gets paid more than the creatives who are making the work, what does it mean for being a young creative?

like

Just realized it's not Friday ☹️

like

What’s the best social media hack campaign ?

like

What agency is doing the new Twizzler ads?

like

Client removes all copy in ads re: product description or product benefits due to pending legal review. Removes visuals of product doing its job. Blames agency that ads aren’t driving traffic/sales

likefunnysmart

Whomever is doing the tv placement for Advocate Healthcare in Chicago: do you have to have the ad going every other commercial? If I hear “come on get healthy” one more time, I’m leaving the state.

likefunny

I've seen quite a few people make jokes about being "aged out" of advertising. Could someone please explain what that looks like and when that typically happens? Forgive the dumb question, I'm a newbie to the industry so I'm a bit confused. Wouldn't agencies want people with more experience?

like

Is it normal for every single call (client or internal) everyone dials in from their desks at an open format office? Everyone avoids takings calls together/conference rooms like the plague.

like

Like this post if you want to TP one of Sir Martin's houses with me.

like

Any tips from social media managers?

like

What should you do if they don’t put your name on the credits of work that is yours? Anybody’s had this experience?

like

Do agencies rent spaces out in places like WeWork to give teams some autonomy away from the office?

like

Grey NY news on 4-Day work week option. Thoughts?

like

Stop with the unnecessary meetings. PLEASE.

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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