A complete 360 of culture, for the worse - Anonymous employee Assembly Employee Review

1.0
18 Sept 2023
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

We've got some major, widely-recognized clients that can boost your resume. Plus, there are some really good folks here—everyone's pretty friendly and easy to work with.

Cons

Over the past year, significant changes have swept through the organization, and regrettably, these changes have taken a toll on everyone's collective morale. The good people I previously mentioned are now grappling with overwhelming exhaustion, contemplating their exit strategies. It's disheartening to observe that not a single soul appears eager to remain onboard, and I empathize deeply with those just embarking on this turbulent journey, as this is undoubtedly the most challenging phase the agency has ever navigated. There are scant prospects for excitement now; the summer festivities have been axed, complimentary lunches are a distant memory, and even the breakfast toaster has been rendered inaccessible. The only glimmers of positivity on the horizon are a forthcoming Christmas gathering and a proposed office relocation, which I fervently hope will be executed thoughtfully, keeping some character from the Aldgate office. The onboarding process is bereft of adequate training, primarily because our managers find themselves perpetually swamped and stretched thin. I've encountered bewildered stares when mentioning our proprietary technology, and this perplexity isn't limited to newcomers; even those with half a year under their belts struggle to grasp the essentials. The prevailing circumstances force new hires to plunge headlong into the abyss, driven solely by our desperate circumstances. Promotions and salary increases remain shrouded in uncertainty. HR redirects inquiries to our supervisors, yet the managers themselves are as uninformed as the rest of us. The established procedures have been revamped without a clear replacement or proper communication, a recurring source of confusion resulting in missed opportunities for advancement and higher remuneration. The workload has burgeoned to unmanageable proportions. Earlier this year, we witnessed redundancies, and curiously, these reductions affected the very teams that are integral to our operations. Subsequently, even more senior management personnel found themselves on the chopping block. Teams were left to fend for themselves, and since then, everyone has been stretched beyond their limits, struggling to stay afloat amidst this deluge of tasks. Strangely, this hasn't deterred the hiring of costlier senior staff members. One can only hope, for the sake of all involved, that circumstances improve, for our current situation resembles nothing short of a dogs dinner. My current advice for those looking for a career here would be to run, you can do better elsewhere. Or...come back in 12 months to see whether things have improved.

Explore other reviews about Assembly

5.0
5 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Robust client portfolio of global / multi region brands, many running full funnel media. Generous benefits (16 wk parental leave, fertility coverage, good PPO health option, flex time off that's easy to schedule/get approved). Culture that is inclusive everyday, not just tent pole moments throughout the year including several community groups within the agency. Incredible new business / growth team and approach allowing all involved associates to gain experience. Core org design to connect media activation with strategy, tech, analytics for actual business impact for clients.

Cons

Organizational changes and client shifts have made career pathing difficult for some positions at present, teams need more staffing like most agencies. Without going far above and beyond your JD it can be hard to be noticed by key leaders for bigger opportunities.

3.0
4 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Talented, hardworking teams and strong client work. You can learn a lot quickly, and many colleagues genuinely care about doing great work and supporting each other.

Cons

Over time, the company has increasingly prioritized profitability in ways that land heavily on employees. Perks and flexibility have been stripped back (e.g., Flex Fridays), while compensation and incentives often don’t keep pace with rising expectations and workload. Raises and promotions can feel delayed, unclear, or consistently “kicked down the road,” which hurts morale and retention. Benefits have also become more expensive while offering less value for many employees, and reductions to key supports (including parental benefits) send the message that employees are a cost line—not an investment. At the same time, leadership layers continue to grow while teams doing the day-to-day work are asked to do more with less, contributing to burnout. The contrast between cost-cutting internally and highly visible industry celebrations externally can feel frustrating and demoralizing. Separately, some employees are increasingly uncomfortable with the ethics and values of certain external partnerships and public-facing work. There’s not enough transparency or employee voice around where the company draws lines, which creates trust issues for people who want to feel proud of the work they’re associated with. The biggest risk is that the company is normalizing preventable attrition of high performers, which is already impacting continuity and institutional knowledge.

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