Advice for job seekers - there are better agencies - Director Flamingo Employee Review

This review is in the interest of prospective applicants who deserve the opportunity to know what they might be getting themselves into. Flamingo claims to put ‘people, culture and brands’ at the core of its offering, but the reality is sadly quite different. Bar a small handful of people with genuine interest in brand strategy, good talent is largely fast frustrated at the lack of interest in (actually) solving brand challenges, in favour of pseudo-academic smokescreening 'cultural strategy' with limited real world application. More worrying, the predominant cultural POV is dangerously white Western-centric with a distinct lack of authentic market representation in the outputs. Perhaps the most problematic is an obscene toxicity - a culture of dishonesty, backstabbing, lack of integrity, aimed at anyone not awarded CEO crony status. Expect to be treated with suspicion, paranoia, gross unprofessionalism, manipulation. An experienced professional may have the objectivity to determine whether a toxic drama-driven culture is worth their reputation/ sanity. The danger lies with younger talent - those with great potential in their first years, growing their careers, at risk of entering this great industry believing that the “Flamingo way” is the right way. Don't even get me started on the burnout you'll experience as you live from work, without support. Plus lower salary level than market rates. My advice to you: there are many great agencies who do great work and treat their people right. Find one.