Pros
The Centro experience varies by team according to who you work with (including from a role, coworker, office location, and client standpoint). Prospective employees should understand that an employee’s experience is tailored depending on these factors. That being said, it seems that the Centro culture makes it a great place to work for a majority of employees. Centro offers employees a great deal of upsides including: 401(k) & HSA contributions, unlimited vacation, sabbatical, gym reimbursement, and the opportunity to transfer between positions/offices when company & employee goals align. No company is perfect, and neither is Centro. But if you’re looking for a top place to work in the ad industry, I would recommend Centro. More than the material benefits, the intangibles (such as feeling challenged at work and believing in the company’s mission) contribute to feeling satisfied. Centro sits in a unique position within the ad tech marketplace which is constantly evolving, and the company is frequently iterating on its products and services in order to better serve the industry. Some people, including some employees, may see this as a negative because of the company’s need for continual realignment (this included changes near the end of 2015). But many others see this as a positive, because although it’s a large company, it is still highly adaptable to meeting the needs of the market on a real-time basis. It's fun to be a part of a company that you feel is contributing to something larger than yourself. The company, which is still led by the founder/CEO, has made well-informed, strategic decisions for acquisitions and areas of growth. The company does take risks to position itself as a leader, and while not all of them have led to immediate returns or without their hiccups, the leadership is humble and has been quick to take responsibility and correct course rather than fall behind the industry. Centro’s track record proves that the CEO and leadership are more focused on integrity and the long game than they are with status quo or quick gains in the short run. This fits well with employees who are intrinsically motivated and see their work as an investment into the future version of Centro.
Cons
A good review of Centro doesn’t mean that it’s an easy place to work. It’s not all downhill coasting; you must be prepared to work hard. Some employees have a sense of entitlement, perhaps partly developed because Centro is a generous place of work. As stated in its manifesto, Centro works well for those who have a sense of personal responsibility: “Each person is responsible for her/his own improvement, the improvement of those around them, and the improvement of the company.” Centro is a wide company with many different types of roles available, but the hierarchy isn’t always as deep. Growth most often refers to expanding your own skills, knowledge and capabilities, not necessarily by way of title and salary. It’s not the kind of company where you automatically move up into a new role or title each year.