Most toxic environment ever - Brand Strategist Edelman Employee Review

2.0
25 Jun 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Some cool projects and a handful of people that were humane and actually taught me a lot about how to approach the company's clients about thinking more creatively about their external communications. The research department is stellar and the Edelman Trust Barometer is still an industry benchmark for delivering the most relevant insights and trends amongst the global gen pop. Edelman still carries huge name recognition that gets you through the door when applying and interviewing for new jobs, so having experience there still counts for something.

Cons

The overwhelming majority of people are awful; ready to throw anyone under the bus and ready to publicly humiliate people. My experience felt like a real-life "Hunger Games". There are too many "lifers" that are stuck in the antiquated world of "PR" and push back against creative strategy; they don't know the value of creative strategy so they budget 5 hours on projects that need 20+ hours. While Edelman still carries high name recognition, it's lost a lot of respect from marketers for having a "holier-than-thou" attitude and projecting the image that nobody (including clients) knows a clients' business and brand as well as Edelman does.

Explore other reviews about Edelman

5.0
8 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great clients. Great people to work with.

Cons

Office politics. Silly things that were sold to the client that just did not make sense.

2.0
18 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I worked with some of the brightest and best people in the business. Most of them are no longer with the company. Some good clients, and nice office space.

Cons

Very limited opportunities for growth. During my time they reduced promotions to only once a year, and made many excuses for promoting as few people as possible (despite becoming the first "$1B" agency at that time). Morale was extremely low. People were forced to come into an office with nobody they actually worked with. Common to be passed from manager to manager. At one point I had 6+ managers within a 10-month span.

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