Still figuring out how to operationalize their ambitions - Group Creative Director Edelman Employee Review

3.0
May 22, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some of the smartest, hardest working people you'll meet anywhere. Very type A and ambitious. Independently owned (no holding company). Entrepreneurial spirit is authentic. Excellent maternity and family leave policies.

Cons

Still trying to figure out what kind of agency they want to be and how to operationalize those ambitions. Finance runs things -- it's like trying to do creative work at Goldman Sachs. You will be persecuted literally to your father's hospital bed to submit your timesheet. Offices in NYC are drab and open plan with limited spaces for collaboration, meetings, or private calls. Culture is competitive but represented as collaborative. Negotiate for the highest possible salary and do not believe HR when they tell you bonuses are paid every year -- they are not.

avatar
Edelman Response
7y
My goodness. I'm very sorry if that timesheet example was from your real life. And I agree with you that operationalizing our vision in a fast-moving industry is an ongoing challenge. We have further to go but we've also come a long way and have a lot in the works that I'm excited about on this front. I'm very glad to see you feel good about our family-friendly benefits. I also see some areas you've pointed out where we need to improve. If you'd like to talk with me directly, please reach out via Maria.O’Keeffe@edelman.com. Maria O'Keeffe, Executive Director, US HR

Explore other reviews about Edelman

5.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good people and cool clients

Cons

not a lot of work life balance

2.0
Jun 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I worked with some of the brightest and best people in the business. Most of them are no longer with the company. Some good clients, and nice office space.

Cons

Very limited opportunities for growth. During my time they reduced promotions to only once a year, and made many excuses for promoting as few people as possible (despite becoming the first "$1B" agency at that time). Morale was extremely low. People were forced to come into an office with nobody they actually worked with. Common to be passed from manager to manager. At one point I had 6+ managers within a 10-month span.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All