An odd culture of fear, disinterest and fun. - Anonymous employee AKQA Employee Review

2.0
Sep 16, 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

AKQA is big enough that many staff can get away with not working too hard, especially if they’re 100% dedicated to a big client. There are a lot of junior staff who lurk on Slack and slack at work, so it’s not a bad place to make friends. If you’re lucky, you’ll have good projects and caring managers. And no one ever complained about the free beer and wine, except maybe some account people whose project team was simultaneously missing a deadline, drinking beers and playing pong.

Cons

Problems, like many clients and staff, change frequently. But the essential problem of the business remains: you can’t make your clients happy if your staff don’t feel appreciated, empowered and supported. Lots of great people used to work at AKQA. Ask just about anyone who did and they’ll tell you they’re glad they’re gone.

Explore other reviews about AKQA

5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people are why you work there.

Cons

There were some rough hires before I left

3.0
Jul 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Design and Strategy teams on the west coast in 2021-2023 incredibly smart and strong in their craft. Overall it is hard not to be impressed with the output and some of what the brand can produce

Cons

NY and DC teams were unpleasant. Competitive fearful vibe compared to other creative and tech industries I have been in. My guess is because everything is based on what accounts and projects they can capture and during this time tech accounts were pulling out of further business as their markets slowed. WPP (the parent company) began lay offs and shuttered whole agencies exasperating this.

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