Pros
Great notable clients, some major big names + players. As a result some interesting work. For the most part, a relatively friendly workplace - good mix of ppl (tend to be more of a research-nerd mix, not like thats a bad thing ;) Generally, everyone is brilliant and extremely intelligent. Nice perks like fruits on tuesday + carbo friday (also a beer cart friday every two weeks) AV has a somewhat recognizable name...but Kantar Media/WPP major players Office space is well down- open planned with retro furniture creating a cool vibe. Do sponsor work visas and pay for lawyer fees, etc. For more mature/experience employees, they do offer sabbatical leave to pursue outside interests.
Cons
Pay is HORRENDOUS. Grossly below industry standards, especially for the hours you are expected to work. Pay is well below average across the departments and levels, from PA's to PM's etc. No work/life balance. Everyone is expected to work around the clock to meet client demands, but unfortunately you cant record those overtime hours. Working on weekends... major possibility. No room for growth. Raises take forever to come into effect (1 year and a half... IF your lucky). You constantly get told waiting on final approvals from WPP/Kantar Media...'first in queue to review' delaying the process further. Even if raises are approved, the increase is minimal. No room to move upwards, often resulting in a complacent feeling. People have had the same PM role for 3+ years and in some cases 7 or more years. As a result, people feel stuck. High turnover.. young PA's attempt to stick it out for a year resulting in a large divide. AV consists of the long-timers, people who have been there for 4+ years and then remainders who are waiting for the year to be up before moving on. Digital dinosaurs- technologically stunted and no way increasing core offering towards a more digital landscape. Poor understanding of talent and skills - people are underutilized. Employees are hired for one job, and then given different, 'intern' tasks due to poor training or availability. Middle and Upper management are so busy, they do not offer or have time to perform proper training or proper resourcing.... so they hand the mindless jobs to the 'newbies', even those with multiple years of experience. Benefits pkg- fairly standard. Except warning, they officially close during christmas however you are required to take those days out from your 10 annual allowance. yes thats right, they are closed but you have to use your own holiday time! Business ebb and flows- a lot of pressure to sign and retain clients, resulting in high pressure, influx workplace. Financially are not performing in 2014..... Rumors of layoffs always looming.