Great Agency, Great Culture - Anonymous employee Griffin360 Employee Review

I freelanced with the Griffin 360 team for about six months, and it was such a great experience. I had been fully remote before, so it was really nice (and kind of refreshing) to be welcomed into their office since they have a hybrid model. Everyone was super friendly and made me feel at home right away! They've got a great office vibe—great team camaraderie, and they know how to balance work with fun. Coffee and snack breaks are a regular (and essential!) part of the day. For a smaller agency, they handle a surprising number of clients and do really impressive PR work. The team is super collaborative, so if you need feedback or want to brainstorm ideas, there's always someone up for it, without making you feel micromanaged. If I had wanted to stay in the agency world, I would've loved to have worked there full-time.

Truly have no cons for the team.

Good brand name clients, pay was fair

Lack of Genuine Company Culture: Despite being at the company for only a short period, I found the team bonding efforts to be rather forced. As a new member, I consistently felt like an outsider, and there was a noticeable lack of effort from others to integrate me into the team. Outdated Public Relations Tactics: The company's approach to PR felt archaic. The pitches we were required to create were excessively long and outdated, which was particularly embarrassing for me, especially when reaching out to reporters I had connections with from previous roles. Robotic Interpersonal Communications: There was a striking absence of personality in day-to-day interactions among colleagues. My attempts to bring a more human touch were met with criticism, and I was advised to be more 'professional', which in this context seemed to equate to being impersonal. Harsh Feedback Culture: The feedback environment was far from constructive. Rather than being supported and guided, I often felt like I was constantly under scrutiny for mistakes, with feedback being delivered in a harsh and demeaning manner. Condescending Attitude towards Experience: Despite having nearly a decade of experience in my field, I regularly experienced condescension in the workplace. My abilities and knowledge were frequently undermined, with simple tasks being over-explained in a patronizing manner. Inadequate PTO Policy: The Paid Time Off (PTO) policy was disappointing, especially for a PR firm. The lack of adequate time off not only affected work-life balance but also seemed inconsistent with the demands and dynamics of the industry. Inefficient Hybrid Work Model: The requirement to be in the office twice a week felt pointless, as the office environment was eerily silent with minimal interaction. This made the time and expense of commuting feel wasted. Limited Client Interaction for Team Members: Despite my strong skills in client relations, opportunities to lead or contribute significantly on client calls were rare. Account managers dominated these sessions, often taking credit for updates, while other team members remained silent. This approach stifled professional growth and hindered team members from showcasing their contributions and developing their client relationship skills.