Pros
Working here is an experience for anyone wishing to learn what not to do. If you ever want to start your own PR firm, this is it! RF Binder is the test case of some of the poor behavior in our industry. It's full of elitism, with the CEO perpetually pushing to hire prestige over talent. You will get substantially more preference if you're from an ivy league, rather then if you have talent (although I cannot fathom why anyone with an ivy league education would find themselves working here). To be fair, the benefits package is well structured.
Cons
The firms has a reputation because of its founder and gives off the impressions that it is one of the bigger industry players in the PR world. It's not. The firm is struggling and you can tell that just by walking around the office. There are more empty desks than employees. When interviewing they will cover this up with a story of how everyone is at an event, or a holiday, or how the firm is rapidly expanding. This is a complete lie I've heard perpetually being told. Client work is also lackluster. The firm sustains itself on a couple of major clients (ie: Dunkin Donuts and Wines of Germany), but other than that there is barely any new business coming in. It is very uncommon to hear about a client win. The situation is dire enough that in order to retain old client (and in some cases entice new ones) the firm substantially undercharges on their retainers and practically every client is on a "friends and family" discount. I have never seen retainers this low in our industry, even when working with startups. The good news is that because they are hungry for clients, they finally caved in and announced this year a commission bonus for anyone who brings in a new client (although the bonus amount was never disclosed). Another problem is the management team. There is a lack of trust between upper management and the CEO, as well as lack of training for the younger promoted managers. One set is too scared to lead and the other is incompetent. There is a reason why the firm lost so much senior staff between Nov 2017 and Feb 2018.
