I've worked at Edelman offices around the world, and my experience in Chicago was completely different. The politics and tension are palpable and difficult to wade through. The company is at a crossroads, but Chicago has taken communications marketing to a different level - over-indexing on planning and creative and often force-fitting with clients who don't want or need these services. This results in devaluing the parts of the business that actually bring in substantial revenue. There are major changes needed at the top, but they aren't being made.
Talent at Edelman isn't what it used to be; you're no longer working with the smartest people in the world, which was true 10-12 years ago. Management in Chicago has no retention plan for top talent. The best and brightest are leaving at all levels and many are not replaced at all, leaving ill-equipped, junior staff members to handle major accounts. Chicago will pile work on you until you finally quit, which is evidenced by the extremely high turnover rate.
