Directive reviews

2.8

33% would recommend to a friend

(151 total reviews)
avatar

Garrett Mehrguth

36% approve of CEO

30% positive business outlook

Directive has an employee rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars, based on 151 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Directive employee rating is 25% below average for employers within the Media & Communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

151 reviews
5.0
Mar 7, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Directive is made up of an extremely smart, high-performing group of people. Their methodology is top-tier, and clients truly get the best of the best, making it an incredible place to learn and grow. Unlike many agencies, Directive has figured out how to keep a remote team engaged in a meaningful way. All agencies face similar challenges, but the difference here is that leadership genuinely understands that people drive the organization. They don’t just talk about putting people first, they actually invest real resources into solving problems and improving the employee experience.

Cons

The expectations are high, but if you’re motivated and looking to grow, it’s a great place to push yourself. Like any fast-growing company, there are challenges, and not everything is perfect. I know some past reviews have called out struggles, but from what I’ve seen, leadership genuinely cares and is putting in the effort to make things better.

1.0
Mar 6, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They have lucked out with their strategists; these people are absolute rockstars, well-versed in their subject areas. However, these individuals are priced out of the market due to their compensation, making it very difficult for them to move to another role.

Cons

Leadership This is the worst leadership experience anyone could ever have. Having worked in so many different verticals for years, I can confidently say that nothing beats the sheer incompetence and lack of character of this so-called executive leadership team. It starts with some leaders who have been in the same place for so long, out of touch with reality and general labor trends, trying hard to act like know-it-all, be-it-all types. It’s topped off with some senior female leaders who are the epitome of manipulation, favoritism, and micromanagement. The most pathetic I have ever experienced. I think it stems from a place of great insecurity, seeing others who are capable and knowledgeable. Feeling threatened, they move toward treating these people most disrespectfully, whether it's publicly humiliating them, gaslighting them, or even going to the lengths of trying to make life so miserable through omission that people leave without even finding a job. Honestly speaking, they must be leading quite miserable lives to attach so much value to a position like this and then go to these lengths to defend being in these roles. Culture Fear is their go-to tool for everything. They don't treat people with respect or understand that every person is a human being trying to get through life and responsibilities. When I say "fear," this isn't just the type where people get yelled at or spoken to in filth (though that has happened in the past; some have shared those colorful experiences as well). This goes beyond that, where people will talk nicely to your face and make you feel heard and cared for, and then privately mock you or talk negatively about you while trying to outshine you. And the so-called leaders love these types of people because those are the very bootlickers they love to keep close and promote over time. Gaslighting This place is a great example of how someone can eat into your very soul and erode every part of your creativity and positivity, making you second-guess every single decision. It's deeply rooted in the fearmongering culture they have, and the leaders love to abide by this. Onboarding Program While I understand the optics of needing to have this type of program for people so they can learn the methodology and do their role well, they go beyond that and make it into a paid test where people are put through extreme levels of pressure to jump through a series of exams that you need to pass to secure your employment, failing which you will be terminated. I think they've figured out a legal loophole to exploit people this way because there's a lot at stake for anyone joining a new company. I have seen so many people come and go who previously had great job security and who have families to feed, and then leave feeling demoralized, with their confidence broken because of this practice. It is quite detrimental to anyone's mental health or career; these people are so distant from the sheer, hard-working reality of the world. I wish people would report these types of practices and make it illegal to practice them. Extortion For anyone hoping to join, here's what you need to know: They know that the job market is hard right now and that the package and compensation they offer are pretty attractive, so they are counting on you to make that deal with Satan and sell your soul. They even sometimes strong-arm people to get them to do more work by adding more accounts, simply knowing that, given their circumstances, they won't be able to walk away. So, anyone reading this, there's 100% truth in all 100-odd reviews here. Be wary of the extremely positive ones because those are the targeted ones coming from the bootlickers and the so-called incompetent leaders, just so that this mockery and modern-day slavery can continue. If you haven't yet signed your contract, or you are doing your due diligence for a friend or yourself, learn from others' mistakes and make smart choices. Think of it as all of these people have done a solid for you so you don't have to go through this pain.

1.0
Mar 3, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

For those who want to know the numbers: the pay is ok, above average, good benefits. For those who look for more than numbers: the people (except most management) is what makes Directive what it is (although some may have forgotten it). I have never worked alongside people as competent, intelligent, resourceful, and helpful than here. I wonder what happens if you take those people out.

Cons

Well, where to start? You are a number. Don't drink the Kool aid, you are absolutely disposable. They stopped (at least for a while) hiring Mexicans because, thanks to MX labor laws, RIF-ing them comes with a big severance. Straight from HR's mouth: "It's more expensive to hire Mexicans because we can't just fire them". That being said, I lost count of how many times I saw someone being praised as "Player of the Week" (a feel good shout-out to someone who did something incredible the previous week) only to learn the next day that they were fired. Make up your mind? If anyone running a business fires their best performing workers, I wonder how long could it last? Where to start with Garret, the CEO? I know, with a quote from him: "I invite you to my house, you drink my beer, and this is how you pay me?" - Garrett, after Summer 2023 company-wide get-together when, after firing 30 people, saw bad numbers in productivity. Is this decent, thought through behavior? He had the most amazing leadership team I've seen in quite some time, and his ego pushed them all away one by one. Working with him is a death sentence, not a promotion. Oh, what's that? You were selected to work alongside on a project? A creative rebranding, maybe? Great opportunity right? Nah, you're being soft fired. You'll be mistreated, worked to the bone, chewed up and spitted out. Then you'll quit. That's one way to circumvent severance. Next: Head of People Opps Jesse. He openly said "I don't care about the people, I care about results" which is both ironic and poetic. You just can't write stuff like this. It's like if they saw what was working, completely ignored it, did a 180° and ran away. It's unfathomable how a company that is run this badly hasn't imploded yet. But hey, if it's getting to that, you can just mess with people's livelihood instead of taking a pay cut, as a true leader would do. Right? i.e. Nintendo has lasted over 100 years, firing everyone, right? Oh wait, when the company went down in 2012 the company's president took a pay cut so he wouldn't mess with their employees' livelihood, as he knew employees make the company. Just food for thought. Honestly, your peace of mind is worth more than the lukewarm above the average pay you'll find here.

Viewing 19 - 21 of 151 Reviews

Glassdoor has 164 Directive reviews submitted anonymously by Directive employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Directive is right for you.