Pros
- Amazing clients - Beautiful office - Many passionate and incredibly creative VPs who have a real passion for PR and social media and who have been with the company for YEARS. If you WANT to learn under them, then they'll take you in under their wing. They actually are very busy and NOT the types of leaders who make their underlings do all of the work, but please don't mistake that dedicated work ethic for being unwilling to teach. - A diverse breadth of skillsets - I was always amazed by how GOOD everyone was at their jobs. The quality of work that comes out of Nike cannot be discounted in these reviews. From influencer management and product PR, to creating national partnerships and global campaigns, Nike can do it all. It's pretty amazing, and people should WANT to insert themselves as much as possible to absorb these skills. - Opportunity to participate in new business proposals, and incentive to bring new business in yourself - A strong business foundation. I was most impressed by how WELL Nike runs. Everyone has an Amex credit card, your phone bill gets taken care of, there is a software/app to simplify anything that you need to do on the backend (i.e. billing hours, monthly expenses). Additionally, each "team" runs as its own little business reporting to the overarching company. That means there is a responsibility - and VPs have accountability - to make sure accounts are PROFITABLE. How many companies show you the innerworkings of business like this? - PROGRAMMING! My impressive to me was the writing classes Nike held in its conference room. They bring in a professional to work with teams on how to improve your writing skills, and write more persuasively. It's incredible. You have all the resources in the world to ensure that you can do your job as best as you can. And as long as you show enthusiasm and aptitude, you will succeed. - Great benefits (health insurance is stellar) My overall takeaway about Nike is that they want to see you succeed, but they won't force you into it. YOU have to show them how badly you want it, perform, come in with a great attitude, and you'll get noticed. PR takes talent - especially the type of talent Nike is known for. If you don't got it, then yeah, Nike is probably not a fit for you.
Cons
- Office culture - I agree that everyone is VERY obsessed with designer clothes, rich husbands and fancy vacations in the Hamptons, Nantucket and Aspen. There is a TON of name dropping, and yes, if you look rich and can speak the way rich people do, then you will be a favorite. It is the way it is. This is a LUXURY communications firm where clients pay at LEAST $15,000 a month, so in order to get those types of accounts, you kinda HAVE to hobnob. And if your dad is best friends with the Ciprianis, or if you grew up with the Ford family, or if you're dating a startup CEO, or if you subscribe to a private jet service, then YA you're probably a good connection for Nike to have. I don't blame them for that mentality, but it can certainly be toned down day to day. - I really like Nina and think she is a genius. That said, I think she runs the place - creatively - like a dictatorship. The company is getting a little too big for that, but I appreciate how involved she still is. - Onboarding for entry-level employees - I feel like people need to know what they're getting into. And VPs shouldn't get so frustrated with newbies. There is a HR team, and they really should be putting in place a formal PR training program so they're not thrown into the flames so quickly. - Team segregation - the lifestyle, wine, spirits, social media and travel teams literally do not talk to each other, socially or professionally. It is very weird and very awkward. People should be collaborative. This needs to be fixed.