Pros
the work is improving. the employees (at least the creatives) are supportive of one another and easy-going (considering spending 18 hours a day with one another.) despite the work not being cutting edge or progressive, you can tell the creatives have not been disheartened by these limitations. most of the creatives (and a handful of the account managers) are extremely talented, hardworking people with innovative thinking skills and a tasteful aesthetic. Laird is a great stepping stone for the beginning of your career and can open up many doors for future superior agencies or companies. The information and skills gained from my experience there are invaluable through the demonstration of a well oiled machine. You will learn and acquire skills from pre and post production, the creative process, presentation building, brand strategy, and business and marketing management.
Cons
Terrible management. Upper level management does not bother to even learn the names of distinguished employees that create the work that makes them a successful and profitable company. Hours are long, grueling and go vastly unappreciated. Extra help (i.e. freelancers) are next to impossible to attain; the hiring manager practically cowers in his cubicle to avoid any sort of confrontation. In the past year, over twenty valuable, talented people have left – and not to seek out another job. They just want to remember what it's like to have a life outside of Laird. Lots of diversely talented people with an appreciation for good design and photography have been trained by the executive creative director to see through his lens and work approach exclusively, thus creating an apathetic mentality of expectation and quality of work.