Burson-Marsteller Reviews

Pros

Well paid; Great clients; Good medical policy

Cons

Long working hours; Easy to get burnt out

Pros

Great being part of a global PR firm with blue-chip clients

Cons

Consumer team never quite got off the ground

Pros

Some lovely intelligent colleagues

Cons

Absolutely zero leadership, guidance, direction or plan

Advice to Management

There is no management - felt completely rudderless

Pros

Big accounts, interesting work, fast-paced.

Cons

Difficult to get a foot-hold.

Advice to Management

Nurture talent better.

Pros

The people, as well as great working environment and clients

Cons

lack of personal development plans

Pros

Some good people, good office location, occasionally a good client too, good international network (if they were allowed to work with each other)

Cons

Global leadership, poor pay and promotions, WPP, poor industry reputation ensures the best clients go looking elsewhere

Pros

The Burson brand retains some cachet and rightly so - there's a good deal of interesting and challenging client work, some real experts, and a decent bench of senior leaders. There is also a real spirit of collegiality and a sense of shared purpose (at least in some offices), and good opportunities to travel and work across the network. Generally, people are proud to work at Burson, and with some reason.

Cons

Reactive strategic vision, with second-rate implementation - recent 'Being More' re-positioning being a notable example. More or less non-existent, (or certainly highly inconsistent) corporate culture. Very US-centric, with global leadership almost never visiting local offices outside the US. Very high local/regional payments to B-M HQ, supposedly for thought leadership and other support, with very little to show for...

Advice to Management

As the communications/PR world changes, and the agency model with it, encourage and support risk-taking and innovation in terms of business model, product development etc. Think beyond the narrow confines of Washington and NYC, and put in place a genuinely global-minded management team. Give local offices more leeway and invest in/train senior management more thoroughly. Invest properly in professional development, intellectual...

Pros

People are willing to help develop your career

Cons

Some snooty staff who are only interested in helping themselves

Advice to Management

Keep investing in the culture

Pros

Lovely people Great team Good clients

Cons

Poor promotion cycle lack of innovation low pay

Pros

Excellent exposure to some great global brands, opportunity to interact directly with clients, great office space in London, interesting people

Cons

Unstructured approach to career progression, can be an unprofessional atmosphere, long hours and poorly paid at a junior level

Advice to Management

Ensure that the brightest junior staff are retained by offering more incentives and a higher pay package