Pros
Many of my colleagues were excellent people. The location was nice--you could walk to cool places on Willy Street or downtown for lunch. I wish I could say I liked the office but now I hate it, but we'll get to that. A few clients and select projects were fun, but that doesn't really count for much.
Cons
ELEVEN people, including myself, were let go just before the holidays...ALL IN ONE DAY. The president's reasoning was that not enough clients had signed back on, and the budget needed to be fixed. Turnover had always been awful, and should be really embarrassing to them. They crossed the line and this is their new all time low--before they really hit the bottom. They kind of deserve it now, I think. This would be a lot less upsetting if they hadn't just renovated their office (it looks tacky, by the way) and leased and refurnished an office in LA for ONE person who could very well have just worked from home. Appearance matters more than their employees. If Gordon Ramsay had a show called "Marketing Agency Nightmares," Evoke would have inspired the series. If they ever somehow recover from this, and you're thinking of applying here know this: 1) Just don't do it 2) Pay is low. Don't even bother thinking about ever getting a raise. 3) If business dealings seem sketchy, it probably is. 4) You are absolutely replaceable, so don't ever think you'll be valued. 5) People don't matter to them. Blowouts, designer bags, and social media likes do. I think they really only respect a person if they're largely considered to be a celebrity. 6) Hate micromanagement? Well, this is heavily practiced at Evoke. 7) They have favorites, and it's obvious. Be a favorite, and you might get treated okay. It won't ever be real respect, though. 8) It's a marketing sweat shop. 9) Outward appearance matters more than ANYTHING. 10) Don't do it. Please.
