Zocalo Group Employee Reviews about "leadership"
78% would recommend to a friend
(14 total reviews)
Paul M. Rand
82% approve of CEO
Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
- "Management is dedicated and works hard to create opportunities for growth at all levels." (in 3 reviews)
Found 14 of over 33 reviews
Updated 20 Jan 2022
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Reviews about "leadership"
Return to all Reviews- 5.028 Sept 2015Anonymous EmployeeCurrent EmployeeChicago, IL
Pros
Committed and open leadership. Smart and fun people. Always pushing to do right by team members and clients. I like coming to work just about every day and feel good about what I'm learning.
Cons
Time and billing system (Peoplesoft) is awful. Sounds like we may be moving away from it soon. Can't happen fast enough.
- 5.02 Feb 2015Assistant Account ExecutiveCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearChicago, IL
Pros
Great co-workers. Fun work environment. Great benefits. Good senior leadership.
Cons
Long hours. Rigid corporate structure. a general lack of creativity at times.
3 - 1.06 Jan 2012Senior AnalystFormer EmployeeChicago, IL
Pros
Encourages creativity, flexibility in terms of projects, work with wide variety of clients
Cons
Poor work/life balance; salaries are *not* commensurate with industry standards; some clients are ethically dubious (such as a nationally known MLM); workloads often excessive, with little room for expansion; leadership more interested in partying and having a good time than being professional
- 2.02 Apr 2014Senior Account ExecutiveFormer Employee, more than 3 yearsChicago, IL
Pros
The culture is fantastic! They have a team dedicated to planning parties and such. You also have half days in the summer every friday from memorial day to labor day. That's really the only pro.
Cons
They don't pay you well. AT ALL. Expect to make under market value, work overtime (without getting paid overtime). They canceled their comp time policy so you are just expected to be on call 24/7. Watch out for promotions and pay increases - they don't go together! They like to promote you and 'sit' on your raise for various financial reasons. Senior leadership has been there since the ice age. They have no idea what is actually going on in the digital and social space, and will make everything their way or the highway. Clients are consistently cutting budgets b/c nothing new or innovative is being presented.
- 5.014 Oct 2012Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearChicago, IL
Pros
A very dedicated senior leadership team that drives innovation and new business. Career roadmaps for employees at all levels. AON Center offices, easily one of the best locations in the city. Flexible work hours and scheduling. Nice annual bonuses. Many young and smart people who make the environment a fun place to work.
Cons
The hours can be long during peak periods. However, there is a generous 'comp time' policy. Omnicom relationship can add layers of process in getting things approved.
4 - 1.016 Dec 2014Anonymous EmployeeFormer EmployeeChicago, IL
Pros
I would like to say that there were some pros here but I really can't.
Cons
The work is elementary, and the leadership lacks the ability to deliver clear actionable direction. Their potential to develop strategic marketing campaigns is extremely questionable. I would highly recommend that if place any weight on quality and craftsmanship I would stay clear.
2 - 5.026 Sept 2013Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee
Pros
Zocalo has consistently stayed on the leading edge of digital and social, making a real business impact for clients. The company's leadership in Social Media Week and other areas is really impressive and people know the company. Lots of attention paid to making sure teams are challenged, growing and having fun -- all while doing works clients respect
Cons
There never seems to be enough hours in the day -- as social and digital is a 24/7 business. Company seems to be working hard to create flex hours and structure to accomodate
1 - 5.02 Oct 2014DirectorFormer Employee, more than 5 yearsChicago, IL
Pros
My 6 1/2 year experience at Zocalo Group was nothing short of fantastic. It never felt like a 'job.' It was a career where I was surrounded by people I respected, and given opportunities to work with major global clients in an exciting area of marketing (social media, digital, word-of-mouth.) Paul Rand, the CEO, is an incredible leader. And the senior leadership team is full of great folks from whom I learned a lot. I looked forward to coming to work every day -- for the people, the projects, and the experience.
Cons
Zocalo Group isn't a large agency with standardized sets of processes and best practices. For a 7-year old agency, it still has many of the characteristics that you'd expect from a small company. This can certainly lead to challenges sometimes. Yet, if you view these challenges as problems to be solved, you'll find a senior leadership team that's open to hearing your ideas and is passionate about working hard to make things right.
3 - 5.06 Sept 2013Assistant Account ExecutiveCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearChicago, IL
Pros
Zocalo offers a chance to work on top-tier clients in a fast-paced but friendly office culture where you can still get to know everyone. Leadership is extremely responsive to feedback from all levels, and is continuously fine-tuning policies due to feedback. There's a sense that Zocalo is 'our company,' and an entrepreneurial spirit is embraced. Employees at all levels are expected to bring creative ideas and new ways of doing things to the table. Unlike at some large agencies, there's also a lot of flexibility in terms of professional growth. In addition to lots of training, leadership allows people to move around to different functions -- i.e. from account management to research or digital -- and takes people's passions and interests into account when making staffing plans. The company also puts a lot of focus on culture, so expect a work-hard, play-hard attitude with perks like short Fridays in the summer and plenty of staff parties.
Cons
It seems normal for the industry (and a growing company), but the staffing process is always a work in progress; work levels can go from slow to crazy-busy, and it can seem like some people are underworked while others are burning the midnight oil. And a couple of things that could be pros or cons depending on your work style: It's a very collaborative environment and an e-mail heavy environment, so expect to spend a lot of time in meetings and answering emails!
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