Pros
You get the opportunity to work with interesting organisers and festivals, which can be rewarding regardless of the platform’s limitations. Many colleagues are genuinely talented, supportive, and mission-driven- the team culture at the individual level is often the best part of the job.
Cons
Leadership is often incapable of providing clear direction, and this lack of competence trickles down into the day-to-day experience. There is a recurring pattern of decisions being made without strategy, then blamed on teams when results don’t follow, instead of leadership taking responsibility. Management inconsistency heavily impacts the employee experience. Even when the company has potential, poor people management often overshadows the positives. Frequent restructures, shifting priorities, and sudden changes create instability and confusion, making it difficult to plan or progress. Internal processes are often unclear, unevenly applied, or reactive, depending on which manager you happen to have. Career development, especially outside the US, is limited and not aligned with performance or contribution.