Vantaggi
Strong culture and formerly strong emphasis on developing people.
Svantaggi
Has transformed into the worst kind of sweatshop agency. Long, LONG hours for clients whose expectations are poorly managed. Creative leadership is ossified so that only those who "grew up" within CDM and within the right cliques advance at a pace commensurate with their talents and achievements. Efforts by leadership to engage with the rank and file feel contrived and phony. The Los Angeles office was sunk by poor leadership decisions, beginning with the top brass in NYC, that were made as a result of the aforementioned situation. The imperative to "run lean" also contributed, so beware when thinking of joining an Omnicom-owned agency. They demand blood from stones in the form of black ink in the ledger every single quarter no matter what. Long-term visions are dimmed by short-term financial priorities. The CEO once told me that the secret to his success was realizing that management had to be a selfless act. Unfortunately, most of the senior leadership has either forgotten this or never learned how to apply it.