SmartBug Media Reviews

2.9

38% would recommend to a friend

(161 total reviews)

Adam Bleibtreu

13% approve of CEO

38% positive business outlook

SmartBug Media has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 161 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The SmartBug Media employee rating is 22% below average for employers within the Media and communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

161 reviews
1.0
Dec 16, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Flexible work hours - Can work from practically anywhere

Cons

Poor leadership Middle management is composed of well-compensated individuals who are resistant to change. Process improvements proposed by employees are often blocked, which prevents meaningful progress and innovation. High turnover My entire team either resigned or went on medical leave due to burnout (I was personally on medical leave for a month and a half). When I raised concerns with the CEO and asked whether a plan existed to address this situation, I was told that if I was unhappy, I was free to leave. Over the past year, I have reported to six different managers. Raises require constant pressure Despite having my strongest performance year at the company—confirmed and supported by my team lead—I only received a raise above 3% after explicitly indicating that I might leave the organization. Blatant favoritism Leadership demonstrates clear favoritism. For example, a Vice President whose department lost 30% of its clients still received a raise and retained her position. No corrective measures were implemented to address the issues that led to this loss or to prevent further client attrition.

1.0
Mar 24, 2023

Worst company to work for

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Management only favours the inbound team

Cons

CEO is such a waste. She has the worst leader and has no qualities. If you join any other team other inbound forget having any appreciation or incentives or hikes.

1.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This was once my dream job and, under previous leadership, it was genuinely a great place to work. The strongest aspect of the company has always been its people. There are many exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, and dedicated employees whose contributions are often underestimated. I had the opportunity to work alongside intelligent, caring individuals who are deeply committed to the quality of their work and the success of their colleagues. The culture among peers is characterized by strong camaraderie and mutual support. Despite challenges, employees consistently go out of their way to help one another within the limits of their roles and responsibilities. The teamwork, professionalism, and willingness of colleagues to support each other remain the company’s greatest strengths.

Cons

The company has experienced a significant and rapid decline under its current leadership. In a relatively short period of time, many of the qualities that once made this a strong organization have been eroded. Employee turnover has increased substantially, resulting in a loss of institutional knowledge and placing growing pressure on the employees who remain. A major concern is the lack of adequate backfilling for vacant positions. As employees leave, their responsibilities are frequently redistributed among existing staff, creating unsustainable workloads and contributing to widespread burnout. The burden placed on remaining employees has become increasingly difficult to manage and has negatively affected morale across the organization. There is also a noticeable disconnect between leadership’s messaging and employees’ experiences. While leadership often emphasizes transparency and open communication, many employees feel their concerns are not genuinely heard or addressed. Direct questions frequently go unanswered, and there is often a lack of clear direction, leaving teams uncertain about priorities and long-term strategy. The work environment has become increasingly stressful and, at times, toxic. Many employees appear disengaged, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the pace of change and the growing workload. The impact on employee well-being has been significant, with mental health concerns becoming increasingly common. Burnout, stress-related absences, and extended leaves have become recurring issues, highlighting the urgent need for leadership to prioritize employee well-being, rebuild trust, and establish a more sustainable operating model.Mi

Viewing 1 - 3 of 161 Reviews

Glassdoor has 163 SmartBug Media reviews submitted anonymously by SmartBug Media employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if SmartBug Media is right for you.