- Classic agency "silo" structure exists between departments, unless working on the agency's largest account.
- Lots of exec prose about "meritocracy" but I never saw someone actually promoted when they deserved it.
- If you're on a lean team (which is most there, these days), hours can be very long with little reward or recognition
- Lots of internal politics prevent management from hiring the teams they need in line with the level of work they are bringing in.
- Roadmaps to promotion are not clearly laid out, and timelines are indeterminate
- Salaries are well below industry average, and raises coinciding with internal promotions are also well below standard.
- Rotations are increasingly rare - especially for account mgmt, search, display
- Benefits package is expensive to employee
- 401k match doesn't vest under 2 years, so keep it in mind.