The most toxic company I’ve ever worked for - Anonymous employee Hawke Media Employee Review

1.0
Apr 7, 2022
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You meet some great people but no other pros that I can think of.

Cons

This place is a complete mess. If you have any respect for yourself and your mental health stay as far away from this company as you can. The CEO Erik is completely self obsessed and has no idea what is going on in the company. He doesn’t care at all about his employees well being in the slightest bit. The marketing book that he released was written entirely by his staff and he slapped his name on it and didn’t give a single person any additional money for it or any credit. He is running a marketing sweatshop with young, low skilled workers that he can exploit and pay way below market while working them to the point of constant anxiety attacks and extreme mental distress. Hawke promises to train you but they don’t. You will immediately be put on clients with no support, no guidance, and constant berating from Tony and Erik to “work harder and get more done”. Neither of them have any emotional intelligence or empathy for other people. Tony is a subpar business operator who sexually harasses women constantly, and berates and gaslights everyone every chance he gets, he has no ability to take accountability for his actions and how he destroys people. He acts like he has your back but he talks poorly about every single person in the company, especially Erik. They are completely misaligned on how the company should be and is ran. Tony is incapable of running a business and blames everyone else for his constant failures. This place is the most toxic work environment I’ve ever been in and I can’t believe it’s still running. Between the terrible work they do for clients to the constant abuse and mistreatment that happens within the company. They just keep hiring young people and running them to the ground. I’ve never seen so many unhappy, stressed out people in one company in my life. All of these 5 star reviews you’re reading with 1 sentence pros and cons are there because Erik and Tony push new employees to write nice things about the company before they get to experience what it really is to work there. Their egos are so big they can’t realize what a terrible and disgusting environment they’ve created and continue to perpetuate. They tell you Hawke will allow you to work anywhere but that’s a lie. The lack of proper training and management you get there doesn’t give you all of the skills you need to apply them to future jobs. You’ll be stuck churning through clients who were completely miss sold (just so they can make a buck) and you will rarely get to work with a client for longer than 2-3 months which doesn’t allow you to build the skills you need to actually run marketing at a brand. Not to mention their reputation is so bad in the business world, Hawke on a resume is no longer a name that excites companies and makes them want to hire you. This place is a joke. A frat house ran by two extremely immature men who think they know it all. Save yourself the therapy, mental breakdowns, constant gaslighting and manipulation and go work somewhere else. It will be the best decision you’ve made for yourself.

Hawke Media Response
3y
Due to the serious nature of your accusations we would like to invite you to contact us directly at hr@hawkemedia.com to discuss this matter in private. At Hawke Media, we take all grievances seriously. Any matters that are brought to our attention in the appropriate manner are thoroughly looked into, per our policy.

Explore other reviews about Hawke Media

5.0
Jun 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Hawke has been a great place to work, we have so many different types of clients and services. Its been amazing to learn about other forms of digital marketing, beyond my specialties. We also have a great sense of community here and everyone genuinely seems to enjoy their work!

Cons

Agency life is not for everyone but if you enjoy the challenge of different types of clients (small, large, demanding, chill) then it can be great. Return To Office has been challenging having worked remotely so long. Then again it is fun to interact with co-workers, and actually meet clients in person.

5.0
Jun 22, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I really enjoy working at Hawke. The company is fast-paced and continuously evolving, which creates a lot of opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. I've been trusted with meaningful responsibilities and given the opportunity to take ownership of my work, which has helped me develop new skills and gain valuable experience very quickly! One of my favorite parts of working at Hawke is the people. I work with many different departments, and I've found that employees across the company genuinely care about producing great work. There is a strong work ethic and sense of ownership throughout the organization, and people take pride in what they do while continuously looking for ways to improve and contribute to the company's success. My manager is supportive, my teammates are great to work with, and I appreciate being part of a collaborative environment where employees are encouraged to share ideas, take initiative, and make an impact. Unlimited PTO is also a huge plus!!

Cons

While I enjoy the fast-paced environment, I recognize it may not be the right fit for everyone. Those who are self-starters, enjoy taking initiative, and are motivated to grow professionally thrive at Hawke!

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