Pros
-Jon Cook is a great man (but the buck stops there). -Used to have great perks, but those are all pretty much gone. Except for half day Fridays...those are pretty great. -The Finance Department is one of the best I've ever worked with. Expenses are submitted electronically which makes claiming a breeze. -By and large, the people aren't evil.
Cons
-Exceptionally passive agressive work culture. Always smile and agree and you'll be fine. -Not a meritocracy, but all about who you're friends with and your ability to suck up. No need to go above and beyond in your actual work remit, unless it's to support another colleague. You're a cog in the wheel: meet basic expectations and spend your extra time making friends and sucking up. -Lack of diversity is shocking and unacceptable. A lot of lip service and PR, but no real action or change. (Don't be fooled by the 3% thing -- fake news!) -Risk averse and conservative leadership throughout. -Inability to plan employees' future and growth with the company. -Clients are largely uninspiring, boring, and conservative -- don't expect to add a whole lot to your book here (unless you're one of the chosen few). -Senior leadership is an absolute joke. They're incredibly lazy and most don't have the credentials to be in their positions. They get by because they're all close friends that have been at VML for a long time. Special shout outs to Debbi Vandeven, Chuck Searle and Amy Winger -- they're an absolute nightmare. -If you don't have children, good luck! You'll be the one working late nights and weekends to make up for your colleagues who have kids, and leadership is fine with that. -Zero discrimination with new business. If there's a pitch, they will take it (irrespective of how crap the client is or how much business they'll bring). But new business isn't seen as real work as no one is paying for it. Never volunteer to be on a pitch...it will not benefit you. And if you are on one, do not take a leadership role. Do your basic job and move with the machine.
