DISQUS

exdotcomsalesexec · 1 year ago

Here I fixed it for you:

At PHD, Auerbach botched the agency's east coast operations, alienating digital media for Chrysler and AIG, amongst others. At Initiative she'll lead its New York digital operations as SVP, director, digital where she'll drive away Initiative's planning talent due to her lack of tact, inability to work well with others, treat vendors like shit and run up massive food tabs on company credit cards (thanks for that, my boss still won't fully reimburse me).

. · 1 year ago

That's harsh. While she could be tough, I wouldn't say she was a horrible person. I'm sure her time at PHD dealing with those accounts forced her to grow up rather quickly.

... · 1 year ago

Interesting. As someone who has been working in the industry for quite some time now, I have always come across people who had nothing but nice things to say about her. She is knowledgeable, personable, and I doubt she got to this point in her career by "botching" an agency's operations. It is unfortunate that you never got the chance to work close enough with her as all the others who know and love her. It is also unfortunate that you felt the need to publicize such an opinion on an industry site. Shame on you.

..... · 1 year ago

As someone that's worked for her, I think exdotcomsalesexec's comments were spot on.

Craig Daitch · 1 year ago

I don't typically comment on agency blogs (that's not to say I don't enjoy them). This post was brought to my attention earlier today and after considerable thought I asked myself, "What would I want someone to say about me if I were ever written about."

Well the truth is the obvious answer, but given its subjectivity, I thought I'd at least share the other side verses some of the comments above.

As someone who worked with Amy, I believe that although our dueling personalities led to some uncomfortable he said/she said confrontations, I would never accuse her of being unprepared or ill suited for her role. In fact she was very conscious of the culture she adopted. She was never tasked with fostering it but still insisted for the longest time to sit WITHIN her planning teams to build comradeship verses moving to an executive office and talking down to them. I admired that about Amy.

So did planners leave PHD because of her? I can't answer that. Did she run a tight ship? Absolutely. And you were either on board or you left. I don't think Amy would deny that she wears her heart on her sleeve and you know exactly where you stand with her. Some probably took issues with her honesty.

Regarding the upset sales executives, I've seen her as both incredibly kind as well as viscerally defensive towards them but consistently from the lens of someone speaking with the best interests of her clients. If she confronted you, it was because she wanted answers. If you didn't have them, then you weren't prepared to meet with her, simply put.

It's not fair to say she "botched" anything. She showed tremendous resolve in sticking through one of the most difficult accounts you could work on, given the circumstances.

The same can't be said about me, admittedly.

Point of all this is simple. Reputations can live or die on blogs like AgencySpy. I respect AS for posting moves in our industry. But I think the veil of anonymity is easiest to assume when throwing stones. Amy Auerbach is not a bad person. She is not a terrible director. She, like everyone else, myself included, continuously learn and grow into our leadership roles.

Congratulations to Amy on her new role at Initiative.

Craig Daitch