Pros
I joined Nike Communications as an Account Executive with a few years of experience in events, PR and marketing, specifically to work on a dream client with what turned out to be a dream team. However, I was not prepared for what followed: a crash course in media relations that immediately made clear what I had yet to learn, and then proceeded to teach it to me. At Nike, we're encouraged in our creativity, pushed to do better than we thought we could achieve, celebrated for all of our wins, and guided through our toughest challenges. As a junior employee, I felt like I'd arrived in the Ivy League and wasn't sure I could make it. When I realized I had learned to challenge myself to push beyond the media results I'd thought I could achieve, to think strategically and not tactically, and to settle only for victory, I almost couldn't believe how far I'd come. I credit management with that, along with colleagues who trained me to grow holistically - as a publicist, manager, client service professional, and mentor. Management here challenges everyone to do his or her best, but importantly, doesn't just set goals and expect others to achieve them. My managers - from the President, VP and Account Supervisors who managed me to the SAEs and Account Supervisors I now supervise - work hand in glove with their teams; hone goals; develop writing, pitching, and management skills. In a culture of achievement that prizes success, there's a strong support network that lifts every publicist willing to work hard for personal and professional growth. Contrary to other reviews, I find the President accessible. She has a high standard for quality and performance, but sits among her colleagues and will speak with anyone who approaches her.
Cons
Nike Communications is not for everyone. A no-nonsense attitude when it comes to results definitely sets the tone and expectations of employees. However, this also means clarity of personal and professional deliverables, which means everyone should know where he or she stands at any given time. What was once an agency with stricter team delineation has become a collaborative group of publicists sharing cross-team talents, ideas and enthusiasm. While the agency definitely benefits from honing expertise in distinct practice groups, it's encouraging - especially to younger talent - to have more intra-agency cross-pollination, where hybrid teams facilitate exposure to different personalities, work styles and outlooks.