Equator Reviews

Pros

- You get to work with some really big brands - It's large enough that you should be able to move around into different teams and develop your role if you want to - There are some incredibly talented people across the agency and generally everyone is really nice and friendly - I think the salaries are generally good compared to smaller agencies - You'll learn a lot, especially if you're a younger member of staff ...

Cons

- Occasionally there can be a tendency to micro-manage and decisions can sometimes feel a little top-down but probably no more than other companies of this size

Advice to Management

Try and act on any key themes coming from staff appraisals etc.

Pros

You get to work with lots of big brands and exciting projects. Great for your career and the team is fantastic.

Cons

It can be challenging at times but everyone pulls together to get the job done. To be honest that is the only con I can think of.

Advice to Management

Keep being transparent and letting everyone know what is going on. Is it possible to have two BBQ's per year too please?

Pros

Biggest agency in Scotland Good clients

Cons

Equator has so much potential. But it is so badly managed. The client servicing team tell web developers, designers and marketers what to do and how they should do their job. Nothing great or standout is ever made. You will never be promoted unless you're favoured by management. The salaries, for most people, are a joke. People who have moved on are so much happier, developers who have left actually get to do their...

Advice to Management

Stop client services from calling the shots. They aren't capable. More input from your teams who actually do the work - your developers, designers, marketers - in key decisions. Without them you would not exist, and you have lost so many talented people due to not acknowledging them.

Pros

Some of the employees are nice

Cons

Incredibly high stress Very cliquey in tribes (particularly tribe xl) Account management put on pedestal Expected to work overtime for free Only allowed half an hour 'unproductive time' (including internal meetings and tea breaks) Focused on 20-20-20 brand vision, not on people

Advice to Management

If entire teams start to leave, maybe think about where you're going. Is your 20-20-20 vision to only have 20 people left in the company?

Pros

The people at Equator are great, talented and hard working. The client roster is strong.

Cons

Micromanagement is rife, with a huge focus on commercial aspects. Time is managed closely, with little freedom. Salary and benefits are below average, no bonus scheme. Unhealthy work-life balance with scrutiny of those who do not stay late. Feedback is often not well received.

Advice to Management

Provide staff with freedom to deliver.

Pros

Good calibre of clients, lots of opportunity to learn (if you're young). There are some really smart, talented people across the business and the standard our work is generally very high.

Cons

Company culture favours loud, dominant alpha-personalities. Client services have too much power and influence. A ridiculous amount of time and money is wasted on debating minute details and back and fore internally. Very top-down management structure which doesn't foster individual accountability or creativity. A lot of middle managers that don't add value to the business.

Pros

Clean office International client base for a Scottish agency

Cons

The hiring process was a complete disgrace. Taking 7 months from the first interview to start date with barely any correspondence. Regimented scheduling. Every hour is timed down by a scheduling team which has to be obeyed strictly. Therefore there is no autonomy and value to tasks is unweighted. Inflexible working environment. Policy against taking doctors appointments during 9am-5.30pm. Very corporate for...

Advice to Management

Change the culture. Modernise the working environment.

Pros

Equator offers a wide range of services, across a lot of great clients, so where many smaller agencies focus on one or two services, you gain exposure to much more than just the basics. Unlike many other agencies where I have worked, I find that the management are always very open to listening to what you want from your career, supporting you in achieving your goals, with training and providing you with opportunities...

Cons

Clients can be demanding, and sometimes there is not enough capacity in teams to deliver work, meaning late nights. Although, if you are needed to work overtime, as I mentioned in the pros, you will be paid for it, unlike in other agencies where they often expect you to work late without any remuneration or thanks. It can be stressful at times, but this is the same with any job, It’s worth noting too that if you are...

Advice to Management

To help improve communication on changes and the bigger vision, try and make sure the MDMC (managing director’s monthly catch up) always happens, or implement a new meeting for company updates to help improve transparency and make sure it happens consistently.