Fortune–a magazine I generally find useful–has added “Advertising and Marketing” to its list of industries for their 2005 America’s Most Admired Companies report. Here are the winners:
1-Omnicom Group
2-Vertis
3-Grey Global Group
4-Interpublic Group
I’ve never heard of Vertis, until now. I once worked for an Omnicom agency and it was an okay experience. Grey and Interpublic are probably okay to work for, as well. But “most admired” seems like a stretch. I don’t know too many people who admire holding companies. Individual agencies held by said companies, yes. Men in suits pushing numbers, no.
AdPulp’s most admired advertising companies:
Google (for letting everyone play)
Fallon (for keeping it real)
Wieden + Kennedy (for staying independent)
Goodby Silverstein + Partners (for their exceptionally good taste)
True. I think the only holding company that is worth any admiration is MDC Partners. They have provided growth opportunities for several small agencies. They seem to approach acquisition by looking for agencies that produce great creative work, not for agencies that provide high financial gains.
Fallon is keeping it real? Tell me more.
Here are some smaller agencies worthy of admiration:
Creature (Seattle)
Scott,
Fallon’s work for United Airlines is some of the most inventive advertising I’ve seen in a long time.
Thanks for providing your own list. I too admire several smaller shops. Boone Oakley in Charlotte, NC is one.
With many friends who work in Grey agencies, it sounds to me that Grey is either very good or very bad depending on which brand you work for.
As former Interpublic employee, I’d go to work for them again, but I think they took on too much baggage from the True North acquisition. Frankly, I never really understood some of the decision-making that went on with TN. It seemed to me that there was too much internal struggle at the top and that carried right on through to IPG.
I agree Fallon’s work for United is specatular. Very original. Fallon continues produce great insight driven creative work, but I have some strong opinions and perceptions on thier internal culture…
Do tell! Then, I and no doubt countless others, can sleep better at night, knowing we’re better off not working there.
I will only say that I am personally more comfortable working in smaller entrepreneurial agencies with a flatter hierarchy and more learning and growth opportunities.
Cheers to that!
I used to refer to my old agency as an aircraft carrier that could only be turned slowly and with much coordinated effort.
I much prefer to ride in a smaller vessel that can tun on a dime and maneuver at will.
Good analogy. I’ll toast to that.