Aspen Marketing Services Reviews

Pros

Quality of work / product generated is excellent. Epsilon is now putting big business muscle and resources in the company (Aspen) that was previously successful through individuals effort, hard work and perseverance. Personal Growth potential is what you make of it because the entrepreneurial spirit still lives. Thank goodness Alliance Data Systems ADS has put process and values in place. Benefits are good. ADS stock has seen strong growth through ESOP.

Cons

Management leaders are way above their head. A Car Dealership Management style still exists. Expect Glen Ross, Glengarry 1970's management. Don't expect support from supervisors. Rising through the ranks to management has been non existent due to the former owner's cronies and close "relationships" being in place. Don't expect praise or recognition. Hopefully all this changes as part of the ADS Epsilon buyout - yet it hasn't changed in 3 years since the buyout initially took place. Employees are hired to come in and hit the ground running. Not until Epsilon purchased Aspen has there been any training or career improvement resources.

Pros

Work life balance is alright, although the holiday schedule is limited. One of the few suburban agencies

Cons

Terrible wages, seriously not even within 40% of of the current market Lackluster benefits. If you're single or don't have kids you may be better off with a private insurance. Poor air quality. This may seem weird but the building has no ventilation, or at least limited. I suffered from terrible allergies while there. Once I left things cleared up. And seriously, clean the carpets! Tight deadlines. I can handle a quick turn around but 24 hours from start to finish is a bit ridiculous. No advancement opportunities. None! Very clicky. If you're not in with the right people you're essentially on your own. Inexperienced and lazy employees. A lot of people don't know what they're doing and others just don't do. Poor leadership. I just isn't good. An abrasive former owner. He wants you in your seat at 8:30 and reminds the agency frequently. Comes off as a used car salesman

Pros

Aspen Marketing Services tackles more than just DM, its a full service agency that has many branches that are utilized to support all client needs - from online to broadcast, print to telephony, you name it and we say "how high?". The positives about working at a medium sized company such as this is you learn a lot, and fast. Its a crash course on interpersonal skills, being resourceful, getting the most bang for your clients buck, and learning how to live without (without tech support in the office, without a project manager, and without respectable bonuses - hmm perhaps this answers the next question). But really, there are some great people that make the day to day enjoyable, the projects are challenging (in a good way, and the skill sets I have accumulated are invaluable.

Cons

One negative aspect of Aspen Marketing Services is it is growing though some growing pains. The company has not taken the time to appreciate or understand each unique branch it has acquisitioned. This makes working with other branches (and working internally) challenging because there is no common ground or established process. Everything is still being built up or broken down. The upper management still has not found or established their rolls especially on how to utilize their employees efficiently and effectively. I'm sure it will get there, but for now it is still a work in progress.

Pros

Benefits are alright. The employees are generally nice and enjoyable to work with.

Cons

Ever since they were sold, it has been a clash of cultures with the parent company. Upper management has become jaded an basically given up. There are almost no advancement opportunities--you are better off quitting and reapplying if you want a new position/advancement or even a significant raise. Managers are afraid to "stir the pot" because things are still very tenuous with the parent company and you never know when the next big change will be or if that change will put anyone on the chopping block. We are on a "hiring freeze" which is the supposed reason nobody can advance or get a raise, but we have new hires every week. Despite that, turn around is very fadt. Support teams are not recognized and are taken advantage of, doing the work of managers without recognition or compensation.

Pros

- Oportunity to build portfolio - Good brands to work on

Cons

- Poor work/life balance - Below average pay, no raises/bonuses. Compensation is not competitive - No overtime pay for exceeding the 40hr work week - People were nice at first, but slowly showed true unprofessional colours only months in - Verbal abuse - Often thrown under the bus without full knowledge of the situation - Credit is NOT given when due - Colleague would often take credit for success that they had no part in - VP and certain managers would indulge in alcoholic beverages during business hours, often causing unprofessional behavior and personal/racial attacks - Felt like school, where one would eventually have to ASK to use the washroom/go on lunch or break - ZERO opportunity for growth unless you are a favourite by the VP - Constant promises are being made to clients which are unrealistic - One on one meetings/performance reviews with VP are always cancelled the day of and never rescheduled - Understaffed

Pros

Fast paced environment where you will have an opportunity to learn a lot and fast. Great way to get marketing experience with well known clients. Benefits are on par with other companies. Personal time off is quite generous overall.

Cons

Company grew too fast and suffered from growing pains. Employee recognition used to be commonplace and has essentially vanished. Company has become middle management and process heavy. There are some issues at the middle management level. Aspen does not promote from within, as they should limiting career advancement.

Pros

I joined prior to Epsilon acquiring the company and I am one of the few that prob thinks the company is better for it. The only pro is Epsilon taking over. Hoping they can reign in the nepotism and other terrible aspects

Cons

The Aspen owner is a complete walking HR disaster making anti-gay and anti-female jokes on a consistent basis. This is overlooked by all senior leadership and they tell their employees that this is "just the way it is." They undercut competition to win business, over-promise clients and under-deliver. The organization is built as a paper tiger winning by coming in low; however unable to do great work.

Pros

A very profitable company with a decent pay. Workload is manageable so it creates a very good work and life balance. I found it funny that everyone around here are very social and fun to work with except some in the management. Location is very good if you live close by, I got lucky I can just walk to the building.

Cons

Organization is mixed with multiple generations which turns into chaos at times in terms of thought process and expectations. It can turn into stress unless you know how to turn it around to handle people and manage up to your own benefits.

Pros

Overall it's a relaxed atmosphere. Jeans days on Thursdays & Fridays. Free pizza on Fridays. Current computers and equipment for most. Good health benefits.

Cons

A lot of jobs are extremely stressful. Short deadlines, and no breaks. Unless you smoke, then you can work 6 hour days and smoke for 2 hours... or so it seems. No advancement unless you are related to or friends with the owner. Cubicles & no windows unless you're management.

Pros

Good starting point for entry level positions. It used to be a decent place to work during the early stage unfortunately poor management and lack of HR supervision led every single talent to leave the company.

Cons

- Very poor upper management and complete lack of leadership. - No respect for employees (regardless of seniority) - Terrible wages - No advancement opportunities - Too much politics...teamwork is just a mirage there. Unfortunately, it is coming from the top.