Pros
Despite its challenges, Lerma does have a few bright spots. The social media and digital teams stand out for being genuinely collaborative and engaged. They make a consistent effort to stay connected to current culture and produce work that feels timely and relevant, which can be refreshing within the broader agency environment. There are also positives at the leadership level. The CEO is widely seen as approachable, kind, and down-to-earth, contributing to a more human and accessible tone at the top. Within strategy, there are a number of standout individuals who elevate the overall thinking. These team members bring sharp perspectives, strong intelligence, and credibility to their work, helping push ideas forward in meaningful ways. While these strengths don’t fully outweigh the broader challenges on the creative side, they do create pockets of collaboration and talent that can make certain parts of the experience worthwhile.
Cons
Lerma can be a challenging environment, particularly within the creative department. Leadership and parts of the team often come across as insular and, at times, unprofessional, with internal dynamics that don’t always encourage respect or cross-functional collaboration. As a result, it can be difficult to produce strong, integrated work across creative, strategy, and account teams. Compensation tends to fall on the lower end of the Dallas market, especially for creatives, and opportunities for career growth or advancement are limited. Many employees may find it difficult to see a clear path forward within the organization. The agency’s client roster is relatively small, which can impact both the scope and ambition of the work. Creative output can feel constrained as a result, and combined with a demanding workload, work-life balance can be difficult to maintain. There are also broader cultural concerns. Some employees have noted issues around inclusivity, transparency, and workplace dynamics, including cliquish behavior and limited collaboration across teams. In some cases, these patterns appear to be normalized within the organization, which may discourage people from raising concerns through formal channels. Turnover is relatively high, which reflects many of these ongoing challenges. For those considering joining, it’s worth weighing these factors carefully when thinking about long-term growth and sustainability.