Creative environment with growth opportunities amid industry challenges - Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Firecrown Employee Review

Great culture for those who work hard and embrace industry and technology changes. It is one of those places that taking shots on goal are encouraged, even if they are misses. Benefits are great, pay is average but above industry standard, culture is great. The people are fantastic, a lot of desire to work together and give credit to others where due. Autonomy provided, but with it ownership expectations over tasks.

For those unwilling to embrace change in the industry, unwilling to adopt new technologies, and frankly those who are lazy it's really not a good place to work. It is a lean company so you can't hide in the masses... it trims the fat quickly. This company has aggregated a lot of unprofitable print media companies/brands and it quickly changes they way the brands operate to become profitable again and to modernize them... with that comes people that are unwilling to adapt and are stuck in there ways... they won't make it here. I suspect most of the negative reviews fall into that category.

Ability to work from home and unlimited PTO

- Lack of communication - Run by an owner/CEO who makes impulsive decisions that have negatively impacted brands and employees - Does not value relationships, only margins - Makes employees sign a restrictive agreement that includes a 2-year noncompete should you be terminated or leave on your own free will - Constant turn over on leadership team - No cost of living increases EVER - No employee review process for possible growth or salary increases - Owner expects employees to work at all hours with no regard to work-life balance - Will close legacy brands without communicating the upcoming changes to employees on those brands - Paying freelancers and vendors often takes months - Little room for growth - No training on new tech or tools - Ownership does not listen to employees or any constructive criticism whatsoever. Unless you are a firm "yes man" the ownership wants nothing to do with you and will quickly terminate you - Terminated well-respected journalists for speaking out about corporate policies that would damage brand recognition - Main margin strategy is all about cost cutting rather than investing in sound products and good people