Scott Dawson Advertising Reviews

Pros

I worked here for a year and a half and I can honestly say it was like rocket fuel for my career. I learnt more about marketing and business management here than in all my years at uni and post grad. These guys will push you to your limit and beyond - that's why some people have posted negatively about this organisation. This company is not a 'love in', it's more like military boot camp for marketers. If you do your job well, listen to what you're told, and get on with it (quickly), you'll be fine here and you'll learn a lot. The MD is a marketing GENIUS. If I ever start my own company i'll get Scott Dawson Advertising on board straight away.

Cons

You need a thick skin to work here, but don't take it personally, it's purely about your work. This is a company that demands hard work, all the time. There's no slacking off, ever.

Pros

Im racking my brain but cant find any

Cons

The worst employer I have ever worked for in 20 years of employment. Murray is a bully at best. He will undermine you in front of colleagues, be disrespectful and abusive. There is a massively high staff turn over rate. One day the person you sit next too will just be called to the board room to never return. I was dismissed without any warnings and in breach of my contract. I was then harassed with letters from Murray trying to make me stick to the terms of the contract, the one he himself had breached. It wasn't until I threatened to report him to the police for harassment did this stop. Apparently terms of a contact are only for you to stick too. After working at SDA I met up with some other previous employees. One of them returned home from a family holiday abroad to a letter saying he was no longer employed. I should have spotted the warning signs earlier but we live and learn. Anyone thinking of joining or starting their career here. DONT. Save yourself a lot of grief and abuse and look elsewhere. You'll honestly regret it.

Pros

Those final few steps when you finally find something better

Cons

Where do you start? Seriously, it's like hell on Earth. Murray is not only the worst boss I've ever had, but one of the vilest people I've ever encountered. Why? He mistreats and talks down to his employees and routinely loses his temper. He expects you to work weekends for free, humiliates you in front of others and boasts about his wealth. He's a literal bully, poking fun at his staffs social-econmic status and physical appearance with out any remorse. Every so often he liked to buy a bottle of wine and other stuff (probably on the companies tab), but does it make up for all of that? No chance. What else is there? The next worst thing is that nobody actually knows what they are doing. Enjoy the hell train guys.

Pros

Likeable colleagues who have now become personal friends No two days are the same Keeps you busy so day goes quickly Nice perks

Cons

Early start Deadlines need to be met Quick moving pace

Pros

Good perks & treats, flexible management when need help, good variety of clients so different projects to work on which are interesting, able to manage your own workload, nice working environment and friendly staff

Cons

Must be able to juggle more than one client at a time, long hours with an earlier start and later finish than normal office hours, must be able to prioritise your own workloads

Pros

Genuinely it is hard to hard to think of anything positive to write about the company If you are asked to do extra work you will not even be thanked and certainly won't get time in lieu.

Cons

The senior management are right about everything and do not listen to anyone. I have frequently heard verbally abuse of other members of staff. Offensive language is used about most of the clients - the very people who have bought the Aston Martin As other reviewers have said HR is a complete joke, has absolutely no authority and often the recipitant of abuse in the same way as other employees. That HR allows this behaviour in the 21st Century is disgraceful. This is the only company I have every worked in where most staff in a morning walk straight to their desk without even saying 'good morning' ; this shows the culture of the company A good indication of the health of the company is that neither of the children of the MD managed to work there, one left soon and the other intermittent (both very capable according to reports from other staff) Be very wary about any positive reviews of this company since I have heard that members of staff were forced to write these The company has some very good people - it is sad that they work in such an environment to feed their families and pay their mortgages For my part I am sorry that my review is anonymous but I know that senior management have connections in the business sector where I now work and I don't want to jepodise my new employment I am sure that the wide ranging connections explain the other anonymous reviews Staff retention of new staff is very poor although there are certainly some who have worked there for years and who clearly accept the environment

Pros

Working for such a terrible company will make you appreciate just about any other work place out there

Cons

Sad staff treated awfully, controlling, paranoid and distrustful management Low morale and self worth among staff under the regime HR is a joke You'd struggle to find an ex employee with a good word to say which makes the positives posted on this site sound suspiciously like they were written inhouse Creativity, team spirit & empathy discouraged at all costs. It's difficult to know who you can trust - its best to assume nobody! Office itself is a horrible place to work, its a hoarders paradise Old fashioned ways of working and a culture that fears change The pettiness is astonishing. A small example is we were once told to come in early if we wanted morning cuppa. Its an antisocial environment as it is despite some nice people yet incidents like this spread isolation and unhappiness Fake deadlines imposed on staff to perpetuate a constant state of stress and tension High turnover of staff and those who do leave are rarely permitted to work their notice, usually someone is sent to clear their desk for them and escort them out the building No transparency with clients and the image presented to them is worlds apart from the reality of life at the company A laughable amount of time and money is invested is spying on, snooping on and tracking staff Staff often expected to work late for no overtime The general feeling of dread about coming in everyday

Pros

Fast moving exciting environment- if you are a good multi Tasker and can juggle many clients at one time then you will be very well suited for working at SDA - love working at Scott Dawson as it challenges me every day - we never let clients down and always go that extra mile in ensuring we provide a first class service - I would recommend this company as I’ve been here for more than 10 years - most employees have been here for a long time which says a lot about a company

Cons

Sink or swim - if you can keep up in this fast pace environment than you’re a keeper and you’ll enjoy it thoroughly

Pros

None Apart from the few who aren’t classed as “higher management” but even then they will throw you under the bus!

Cons

EVERYTHING It starts with you being lied to! Even at interview... don’t fall for it! HR IS A JOKE! In the MDs pocket and will throw you under the bus at every opportunity. So far in their pocket they may as well be married! Don’t trust ANYONE who works here... they ALL lie! Why on earth people want to work in this sweat house for little more than minimum wage with absolutely and with no recognition is far beyond me! I learnt the hard way. You’d be better off on the dole than work here trust me... Long hours, no recognition, joke of a management system, clients should be made aware that they only man manage and don’t do the work themself but get other to do it and pass it off as their own. Will sack you with no explanation at the drop of a hat leaving you right in it! No regard to HR legalities. HR has no idea about their job, and no qualifications. The few employees who actually work there (about 10, ignore the job adverts... 70 people! They wish!) hate theIr job but have been bullied by the MD’s antagonist ways that they have been brainwashed! Absolutely no job prospects whatsoever and even less opportunities for job Satisfaction. In a nutshell... don’t do it! You will regret it. Go on the dole, it’s more rewarding! If you want to be screamed at, shouted at,; treated like a low grade moron then go for it! If you have any self- worth or self-respect then look elsewhere... before they suck the like and sole out of you!

Pros

I worked at Scott Dawson for three years, it is a challenging and demanding work place due to client demand but if you are passionate about what you do and have a good work ethic it's a very fair company and rewarding place to be.

Cons

Fast paced, demanding clients and tight deadlines but that is the nature of the business