Bernstein-Rein’s Bloodbath
October 24, 2007
In early October, we reported that Kansas City ad agency Bernstein-Rein was in a bit of trouble after losing the USAA account. At the time, the agency made no indication that they would be dropping bodies. But, we hear that… in a one day bloodbath, BR laid off somewhere around 20 creatives this week.
Our source tell us it that the lay-offs went something like this: “They were told at the beginning of the day that it would be pretty ugly and that they would be called in one by one. So, in the creative bullpen, the day was comprised of people sitting nervously by their desks waiting for the phone call pulling them into the office to be fired. It went on all day. Just imagine, sitting in an office for at least 8 hours wondering who is next. Just waiting to see if you are next while seeing your friends fired one by one all day. It was reportedly hell.”
Sounds like it. The agency declined to comment. We were pulling for BR to keep it together. We like ‘em. Alas… We also hear that… bodies will also be falling from the account side over the next few weeks.
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October 24, 2007 at 6:41 pm
this sounds like it could have been handled better. leaving people to worry for eight hours is just cruel. (I’m not saying that I have a better way. this is a management issue, not creative.)
that said - all the best to all of them. very sorry for you.
October 24, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Get real. obviously this is written by people who haven’t been in the agency business very long. arguably, laying people off isn’t pretty, but would it be better to do it in a gang bang? that would be humiliating. at least people get their one-on-one privacy and can preserve their dignity (if they choose). if you lose a big account like that, people are going to have to go. in an ideal world, they get a decent package to go. and if they are good, either a great reference OR an invitation to come back if they win something big. what more can you ask when you work for an agency?
October 24, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I agree, beer drinker. I was there (still am) and actually the layoffs were done in the most humane way possible - if there is such a thing. Yes, waiting for a phone call sucks. The only other way that might be quicker, quieter and maybe less dramatic would be getting an email to make a visit to HR. But I’m not sure that would be any better. It simply sucks, all the way around. But there was something I took comfort in, BR was truly troubled by having to do this. The execs were visibly shaken by the events of the day. Some were brought to tears and others spoke with crackling voices. I’m pretty sure this is the worst lay off in BR history. Which says quite a bit about the agency. As for agencyspy.com’s past tense comment – “We were pulling for them. We like ‘em.” They can still root for BR and actually have confidence that this is not the beginning of the end. It’s actually more of a “righting of the ship.” It’s awful that real people have to be affected by it, but because USAA is off our back, we can get back to working for appreciative clients, old and new (yes, new ones are already starting to come in). So, this isn’t the end. In fact yesterday, although painful, we simply turned a page.
October 25, 2007 at 6:17 pm
At least it was only one day. USAA tortured employees continuously for about a year leaving employees hanging in worry mode. They held a massive bloodbath in 2001, 2002, and every so often since then. It’s beginning to look like an India nation over there.
October 25, 2007 at 11:06 pm
You are correct “Me.” We shouldn’t of used the past tense. Thanks for pointing that out.
AS
October 26, 2007 at 5:49 am
I was there that day and still am as well. I have heard from many of those who were laid off as well as those of us who weren’t. Almost without exception we were glad the layoffs were done in one fell swoop.
I used to work at an agency where they tried to keep employees as long as possible, laying off only 2 here and 3 there when a client left. At times there would be multiple rounds of layoffs resulting from the departure of one client. Each round the severance would get smaller because the agency became more and more desperate to make up the loss of income. I’d much rather have one deep cut made over one horrible day so that those who remain can feel secure in their jobs.
The compassion at br has been incredible. I received many emails today from remaining co-workers asking for contact info for people who were let go in order to pass on leads for new jobs.
New opportunities are coming into the agency everyday. I expect it won’t be too long before the shock and sadness give way to a renewed enthusiasm. Although this past week has been really difficult, I’m excited about the future of br.
November 18, 2007 at 5:59 am
AgenscySpy,
Here’s a little something to help you keep rooting for BR. Ruby Tuesday came back. After a two-year stint with two other agencies, they’ve decided that the happiest they’ve ever been (and the most money they’ve ever made) was with BR. I wonder if Career Builder will go crawling back to C-K?