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Describing yourself as a family isn't always a good thing - Anonymous employee Swirl Employee Review

2.0
Sep 28, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There was always free food around. On the surface people seemed nice.

Cons

Bosses are quick to make judgements about you and withhold their expectations until it's too late to change their opinion. They are very protective of their "culture," but their culture is probably one of the biggest problems with the place. There seems to be an Emperor's New Clothes situation with their work. They think it's amazing and that every project will put them on the map, but the reality is that it's very average at best. If you point that out, you're viewed as a trouble maker. If you want to meaningfully contribute, it can be difficult as well. While I was there, most projects had a maximum of one team working on them. Makes it difficult if you want to learn or contribute to help make the work better if you're not given the chance to help out (despite asking for a bigger role in the company). The whole family aspect of the company also means that people can be incredibly cliquey. I was there for almost a year and never felt like I made any actual friends with my coworkers.

Explore other reviews about Swirl

5.0
Mar 24, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I was working at Swirl as a contractor visual designer. I enjoyed working with a talented creative director, copywriter, and strategy together. Good opportunity to learn and work in a real advertising agency when I graduated. If you're looking at this review, I would say this is a good agency to work with and have an opportunity to grow especially to attend the idea pitch presentation which is an opportunity to get inspired by professional people in the market. It's an opportunity and also a challenge.

Cons

Don't bring the contractor to a full-time role.

4.0
Apr 27, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

From my experience, Swirl really does care about their employees, both their happiness and growth. Work hard, treat them well, and you will reap the benefits. Work relationships don't happen overnight and things don't get handed to you undeserved, but then again they shouldn't be. People here like to "work hard, play hard" and you see it everyday. What other agency has: a softball team, bowling league, volleyball team, running club, Combine, ping pong table, library, Makers club, knitting club, the most memorable happy hours (remember that time we had a petting zoo, or threw our very own music festival, Swirlchella?!)? And the list goes on My Supervisors have shown that they care about my personal/professional growth and are always appreciative of the work I do. While there have been some adjustments in the past two years due to the mega growth spurt, management is focusing on making the needed changes to now be a successful 200+ company, while still feeling like the small company they started as. Remaining an independent agency sets Swirl apart from the rest.

Cons

Cons are more apart of the industry: being in client service, there will be some late nights, some stressful deadlines, etc. Mostly, the cons with Swirl are currently being addressed as a part of the growth adjustments: adding additional resources/tools to the arsenal, staffing up, etc.

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