With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that people are at the center of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire and move people and business forward. With almost 7,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Kellanova, McDonald's, Novartis, Samsung, Visa, WK Kellogg Company and more.
Rating Reviews
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Pros: The health insurance is pretty solid here, which is nice. As a Media Planner, I found the basic coverage good for a large corporate media agency. They also offer a decent 401k match after a year, which is a definite plus.
Cons: Salaries are just okay, honestly not top-tier for the Chicago market. I wish there was more PTO, it feels a bit tight compared to competitors in the advertising industry. Pay raises aren't very generous either, making it hard to feel valued.
Advice to Management: Review the salary bands for Media Planner and other specialist roles to be more competitive. Consider increasing PTO, especially for employees who've been here for a while. It would help with retention.
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Pros: The hybrid model was a huge plus, especially for us working on client services. Getting to work from home two days a week in the Chicago office definitely helped avoid the commute grind. It's nice not being tied to the office every single day.
Cons: Even with the hybrid model, it often felt like we needed to be available constantly for our clients. There wasn't much flexibility outside of those WFH days. As a Media Planner, last-minute requests could mess up your schedule quick.
Advice to Management: Try to empower teams more to manage their own schedules, especially for those on media buying campaigns. More focus on output, less on 'face time' in the office.
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Pros: As a Media Planner, I've gotten good exposure to big client accounts. I've learned a ton about the advertising industry. There's solid training for junior roles, especially with digital campaigns. It's a great start if you're new to the media agency world in the Chicago office.
Cons: Career growth often feels slow after your first promotion. There aren't always clear paths for advancement. You often need to jump teams for new experiences. It's a big corporate agency, so you feel like a small part.
Advice to Management: Create clearer career paths and promotion criteria for mid-level employees. Encourage internal movement and new project opportunities without requiring people to change teams constantly. Invest more in leadership development for those looking to advance beyond a specialist role.
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What is the general working culture like at Starcom, especially for media planners in their London office?
Starcom fosters a collaborative and fast-paced environment, typical of a large media agency. You'll find a strong emphasis on teamwork and continuous learning, which is beneficial for career development in media planning roles.
What is the day-to-day working culture like at Starcom for a media planner in their London office?
The working culture at Starcom London is collaborative, with a focus on teamwork to deliver client campaigns. Expect a fast-paced environment where media planners actively engage with colleagues across different departments for strategy and execution.
What is the typical working culture like at Starcom, especially for media planners in London?
Starcom fosters a collaborative and fast-paced environment, common in major media agencies. You'll find a strong emphasis on teamwork and continuous learning to keep up with the evolving digital landscape.
What is the day-to-day working culture like for a media planner at Starcom?
The culture at Starcom's London office for media planners is collaborative, with a focus on data-driven strategies and cross-functional teamwork. You'll often work closely with analytics and creative teams to develop integrated campaigns for diverse clients.
What is the typical work-life balance like for a media planner at Starcom in London?
Work-life balance at Starcom can be demanding, especially during campaign launches, but the culture encourages collaboration and support among teams. While deadlines are a reality in the fast-paced media industry, there's a focus on flexibility and ensuring team members can manage their workload effectively.
