I've worked at this company for 4+ years and have seen it turn from a 100-person company with a very understanding leadership and HR team into an absolute horror show. Recently, Influential was acquired by Publicis. C-suite executives were ecstatic and excited for the future, crying hysterically during every all-hands meeting. The company's leadership expanded, and new VPs and directors flooded each team. It became a structure where each team had one director for each direct report, which, to me and everyone I have asked, is ridiculous in a corporate structure.
There was too much micromanaging, too much overhead, and, in the case of Influential, an unrelenting toxic and anxious workplace was created. Every day, you wake up to a barrage of unnecessary asks from leadership or sales because the atmosphere at this company can best be described as alarmist first.
Leadership, including your new managers—who are either directors or senior leaders—don’t know what they’re doing but talk as if they do. They don’t do any of the work. When something breaks or a client asks a question after hours, it’s all hands on deck for the proletariat, and you’re punished if you don’t take action at any point throughout the day.
The largest annoyance at Influential in 2025 was how two-faced managers became. You could work with one director or VP who gave you many props and accommodations for your work, only for your boss to slam you for the same work. Director-level and above were always in communication about their reports but wouldn’t have that same dialogue with their reports until a performance check-in. If communication is so important at this company because it’s remote-first, actually act like it.
The whole agency has turned into a human factory that despises work-life balance, as if it’s a farce to believe that could ever be a reality at this company as it once was. I was told, as many others were, that working during holidays and weekends is the new norm. Fifty-plus hours should be expected.
Another disgusting example of this company becoming extremely capitalistic is seeing humans as disposable and a problem. If we were paid adequately more than our peers in less stressful fields—aka not at an agency—it would make slightly more sense, even if I personally still disagree with that practice. But no, we get paid no more than we would at a very relaxed marketing gig.
As of February, they started a series of layoffs for “redundancy” reasons. They’ve begun to outsource critical roles to other countries for cheaper labor and implement AI to get rid of as many people as possible. From what I’ve heard, this is not working—obviously. Many teams are struggling with the immense increased workload and are confused about what comes next. I find it funny that coworkers of mine who are still at the company have been told countless times that the layoffs won’t continue, as if herding sheep because they’re afraid of the wolves is applicable to human lives.
Actual insanity. “Hey, don’t worry!!! We’re all fine!!! It’s just redundancy layoffs. Anyone who is still here is safe!!” Not sure how these people can continue to take part in a late-stage capitalism work environment. It’s an unbelievably toxic workplace, where every day you wake up anxious and worried about what the day might bring.
Not to mention the absurd ERG structure at this company. They’re honestly pretty neat and I loved being a part of the groups I was in. However, it seemed as if some groups had priority over others. Leadership would block certain conversations they personally didn’t want discussed, and silenced them. Very despicable behavior at all levels of this company.
There’s also no growth here. It’s all dependent on who you suck up to, not your performance or value to clients. I’ve seen managers get promoted multiple times in just a few years, with lackluster performance, pressuring others to take on their work. Meanwhile, solid workers, with amazing skills and ability to adapt to clients, never get anything. We’ve been told that “We don't do inflation wages here” “The market rate for your role is actually stagnant or decreasing, so no salary adjustment will take place” even after years of no salary increases. Benefits are constantly changing, and usually for the worse.
Personally, as a result, I have become emotionally sick and completely drained of personal goals. I’m very relieved that I no longer work there. It’s honestly such a relief and a realization of how awful and toxic that company is to work for. I’ve picked up my hobbies again and started focusing on my mental and physical health.
If you’re looking to work at this company, don’t. You won’t grow here. You won’t climb any corporate ladder. You won’t be respected for your talents. You will, however, lose your personal life and gain trauma for this disgusting corporate structure, that puts the almighty EBITA over people, but that’s every corporation I guess.
10/10 would quit again.
