Most Creative Agency: Wieden and Kennedy

...

continued to win Emmy awards.

Agency I Would Like to Work For: Omnicom Group

When I look for a place to work, there are three key things I look for in a company: 1. Development opportunities. 2. Consistent and defined company culture and 3. Competitive advantage / long term sustainability. Of all the ad agencies on the list, Omnicom media Group was the only company that addressed all of three of these things on their website. Many of ad agency websites only had a small hidden section on career opportunities and mentioned little to nothing on development opportunities and company culture.

In terms of development opportunities, Omnicom’s opportunities are endless. They have one of the industry’s most diverse portfolio with more than 1,000 companies serving over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. This tells me that there is plenty of opportunity for career advancement and ability to take on more responsibility in different capacities. I am the type of person who is always looking to learn more and experience taking on new responsibilities, so for these reasons, I tend to look for larger companies that are well established and continuing to grow profitably. Most notable in line of employee development was Omnicom’s numerous programs and educational opportunities. They even have their own university “Omnicom University” which was founded in 1995 and has had more than 3,500 global alumni. They also explained an “Emerge” program, which is an “immersive two-day Technology and Innovation Summit that highlights the most recent and relevant innovations around a disruptive technology topic.” Their “Emerging Stars” program also rewards and recognizes top talent from all the Omnicom networks and exposes them to multiple marketing disciplines and offers the opportunity of working on an integrated team.

Omnicom Group was one of the few ad agencies that really took the time to highlight their company culture on their website. One of the things I enjoyed reading the most was that they work hard to foster a culture of collaboration. They attribute much of this to their long-standing belied in the power of learning and training to enhance employee’s professional breadth and retain top talent. They also focus their company culture around corporate responsibility and giving back to the community. In 2007, they created “OmnicomCares” which mobilizes people, money and resources around the globe to transform run-down areas into safe and fun environments for local children. OmniCare also makes diversity and inclusion a big part of their culture. Since they created their “OmniWomen” group, they have achieved 54% women in US management positions. In addition to having a high level of females in leadership positions, 24% of their employees who are professionals and managers are multi-cultural.

In terms of long term sustainability and competitive advantage, I think their portfolio, consistent growth and global footprint says it all. They have more than 74,000 employees in 100 different countries, and nearly $2 billion in operating income. The company has grown into being the second largest agency holding company in the world with revenue of more than $15 billion, according to one of their online press releases. Part of their competitive advantage is their diverse portfolio. Its offerings include digital and interactive marketing, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services. The company serves food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and health care, technology, consumer products, automobile, financial services, travel and entertainment, retail, telecommunications, and other industries in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa