Awful place to work - Anonymous employee Surface Media Employee Review

1.0
23 Aug 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The Starrett Lehigh is a pretty decent office building. Kitchen had plenty of pseudo-healthy snacks.

Cons

Demoralizing office environment/dynamic leading to unhappy employees nearly across the board and very high turnover, mostly due to CEO Marc Loteneberg. He is unreasonable, unpleasant and unintelligent, i.e. impossible to work with. He has difficulty verbalizing thoughts clearly, resulting in vague, unhelpful guidance for the largely unrealistic demands he placed on entirely understaffed magazines. On numerous occasions he made tasteless/offensive remarks, and he was generally rude, dismissive and insulting to employees. CEO sometimes preaches far-right political views to employees, taking time from staff meetings to express colorful opinions with remarkable tone-deafness. Has other bizarre personal beliefs that he imposes on staff through company policies, in particular his superstitious and basically incorrect views on healthy eating. Serious problem with the quality of tech supplies; most computer equipment was very old, in bad condition and malfunctioned regularly. Observed coworkers receive reprimand for problems caused by equipment issues that had been called to management's attention. Concerns among employees about ethical problems at managerial level, including misleading advertisers with false readership numbers and ad placements having been traded for expensive personal gifts. Working at Surface was a terrible decision; I did not meet the CEO prior to accepting my position, I'm certain if I had I would never have considered it. He is a complete hack and not prepared to helm a legitimate business.

Explore other reviews about Surface Media

5.0
26 Jun 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It is a good company

Cons

It is ambitious company so fast-paced

2.0
31 Aug 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Working at Surface will enforce the skills of debate, navigating internal politics, and being resourceful (all skills undoubtedly useful to have mastered in one’s career). Gives thick skin, which is great. Most of my colleagues, especially those I work most directly with are incredibly talented, strong, smart, and optimistic. This has allowed us to get through some tough times. If anything, how far Surface had come is a testament to the hardworking, optimistic, and motivated individuals that make up the company. They impress me every day.

Cons

CEO preaches about dedication to “quality and craftsmanship” from one side of his mouth—to clients, advertisers, the legitimate design community at large, or anyone he can use Surface to get something out of—then leads and directs in a way to make it impossible to produce quality, often intentionally directing or imposing circumstances such that employees have no choice but to produce sub-quality work. Cutting corners in business ops and relationships until there will be no more left to cut. For freelancers and employees, the CEO sees Surface as a portfolio trophy. This outlook manifests in ugly ways that create a toxic internal work environment and poorly treated freelancers.

8
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