Pros
Unparalleled intellectual property and industry insight, from Trust Barometer to Capital Staffers to other sector-specific research. Brainpower that is as strong as anywhere in the industry. Edelman people are smart and have good ideas. A fair number of passionate, good people who are colleagues as well as friends. Strong benefits package. Access to technology and resources like research and graphics/design.
Cons
Internal politics, both between and within offices, that lead to people being kept in the dark, trying to control staff/accounts to protect money, or talking negatively about colleagues (including to their supervisees). There are people known throughout the office for being mean or difficult, but they get promoted? Favoritism for certain groups and individuals in promotions and office recognition. it creates a negative vibe that causes cliques and harms the friendly nature of the place. No pushback on nightmare clients. Some clients are verbally abusive, issue unrealistic demands, or generally treat Edelman people horribly. Yet senior management don't push back on the abuse, always say "yes" instead of managing expectations, and expect staff to just deal with it by working harder and ignoring how they are treated. There's a reason there are accounts no one wants to work on. Decreased emphasis on core, fundamental skills like writing and media pitching, but lots of talk about buzzword-y "public engagement." As the company has pushed its strategic approach, there seem to be fewer junior and supervisor level employees interested in becoming excellent writers, understanding how media works, or learning all fundamentals of the industry. Limited opportunities for overseas exchanges or work transfers (management thinks they are resolving with International Fellows, which moves 8 people per year in a company of 3,500).
