James Cooper is not CEO. Jim has been respected near and far for literally decades since he was a reporter himself. Adweek’s actual CEO, Jeff Litvack, is the exact opposite.
Recently, these reviews appear to be planted significantly to position Adweek as a positive place to work. Make no mistake: It is not a good place to work. Previous complaints about management and leadership is specific to Litvack.
Under Beringer Group’s ownership and Litvack’s leadership the past couple of years, Litvack has effectively pushed out and replaced nearly all of Adweek's staff of less than 100 people. There are many reviews talking about the company's poor management. To be very clear, those concerns are about Litvack.
Adweek has an all-male leadership and finds ways to demoralize women. I say that fully knowing that 2 women are running the editorial side of Adweek. They have nowhere near enough power to fight for women staffers and break through to cause change. Working at Adweek as a woman means staring down a very bleak future with no possible career trajectory.
For example. several damning HR complaints about men staffers have conveniently been pushed under the rug by Litvack.
Adweek also recently lost a big reporter who covered the #metoo movement, leaving Adweek on more uncertain ground.
Litvack has never been a journalist but you would never know that when meeting him. He has no idea how to run a media company and is a risk for anyone he works with.
He is controlling, manic and interferes with everyone thinking that he can do anyone else's job and doesn’t trust his team. He calls, emails and communicates with staff at all hours of the day, requiring some staffers to constantly be on call. He has no boundries and doesn't show any interest in creating them. Run, don’t walk, away from him and Adweek. Fast.
