Disaster. - Anonymous employee Radarworks Employee Review

1.0
Sep 22, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None really - honestly. There used to be some talent, but after a recent and massive layoff given the size of this "agency," all that's left are clinical-style, management robots running the clients that just happen to still be around. Any talent that's still there is looking hard for new jobs.

Cons

Where to begin. The place was a total disaster the entire time I worked there, no matter who was working there or what clients they had. They used to have big-name clients, somehow, but they really don't anymore. They use the old client roster to lure new clients. They don't have a business development or sales team, so new business is non-existent pretty much. The management team relied on "industry contacts" and "relationships" to try to land big business, but that's so risky ... and it never paid off. Layoffs were a routine transaction and the management team liked to sweep them under the rug. Sometimes you'd hear about them in advance from co-workers, sometimes you'd find out the day of, but usually you'd never hear about them at all. But you'd get an email about the shiny new intern they just hired. Their new healthcare plan is good, but the "benefits" suck. There is literally no culture. I realized it instantly. They tried ... and it was so forced that it was painful. Their idea of culture is providing a monthly breakfast from the cafe next door and sending agency-wide emails that are so fake it's laughable. I feel bad for those that have been left in the wake up destruction. Let me elaborate: after the CFO was fired for being shady, the owner (who will passively belittle you every opportunity he can) stepped back in and realized what a disaster things were. Some say the ex-CEO was lying to him, but who knows. Without care for his clients or his staff, he laid off 11 people in one day (thats like 20% of the entire agency). Others immediately started to jump ship from the ensuing insanity. During a recent interview with a real agency, a recruiter shared with me that a friend worked at Radarworks before my time there, and he had many of the same things to share with her. There's a reason: It's all true. Everything that people have written here is true. I had never heard of Glass Door until I was at this company, where I'd get notifications of review after review being posted that all say the same exact thing ... They either don't get it, or they just don't care, but it's certainly not sustainable. I honestly cannot imagine this agency lasting for much longer. An agency thrives on its people, its clients and its employees. This place is running on fumes.

Explore other reviews about Radarworks

5.0
Mar 24, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My ten year employment at Ion+Radarworks has definitely been a career highlight. What I find most rewarding is the culture of possibilities. Ion+Radarworks is an independent agency with an entrepreneurial spirit that encourages creative thinking and challenging the status quo. The sky truly is the limit. You can soar as high as you have the vision and courage to soar.

Cons

There have been changes to navigate, but that’s the nature of the advertising business. We have an incredibly talented team in place, we’re winning new assignments and looking for additional superstars to join us.

2
1.0
Nov 6, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people, environment, and work.

Cons

When Ray Araujo (Owner) handed over the keys to Kazumi Mechling, the company started going down hill in a big way. And not just financially but also culturally too. Her M.O. is that she comes into businesses, fills it with her own people and side-businesses (Brandcode, Trendera) and runs the company into the ground with her micro-managing. Financially, her and her people have brought NO NEW BUSINESS into Radarworks in the 1+ year they have been here. They completely gutted the LA office staff and business, and are doing the same to their other division. She attempts to control all levels of communication internally and externally, and will be upset if you take any initiative on your own to speak for the business. And if you are not playing her game, she will tell you that you are not a "A" player and send you off to talk with her business consultant to try to get you to tow her line. When Ray finally sees what all of this is costing him (financially and culturally), he will be pretty shocked. This is if he ever gets the clear financial picture, since everything is hidden from him now that he has stepped aside. Lots of expensive management with no real business results with come at a high price.

8
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