FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services.
Operating as a full-service agency partner or through embedding specialist talent into client teams, FIRST brings brands and people together through creative, connected experiences. Spanning 12 countries with more than 800 team members, FIRST works with clients across industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST is part of the broader Encore family of companies. Encore is a global leader in event production and technology. Learn more at firstagency.com and connect with FIRST on LinkedIn.
FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being listed among the 2025 Most Innovative Marketing Agencies of the Year by Chief Marketer, named Top Agency of the Year 2024 by Event Marketer, highlighted as a Global Agency of the Year, Over 100 Employees by C&IT, and listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2024, 2023, & 2022 by Chief Marketer.
Learn more at www.firstagency.com
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
21
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: The leadership at FIRST, particularly within the B2B services sector, is genuinely inspiring. They're very transparent about company goals and priorities, which helps the entire VP Account Management team align our strategies effectively. There's a strong emphasis on professional development and career growth, with opportunities to take on challenging accounts and lead impactful projects. The collaborative environment in our New York, NY office makes day-to-day work enjoyable and productive,
Cons: While leadership is strong, communication can sometimes feel a bit siloed between different departments as the company continues to grow. This occasionally leads to minor inefficiencies in project execution or client onboarding, which can be challenging for a VP Account Management trying to maintain seamless client experiences. Improving cross-departmental communication and streamlining a few internal approval processes would further enhance operational flow in this mid-sized firm.
Advice to Management: Continue to prioritize and invest in enhancing cross-functional communication platforms and processes. As FIRST expands, maintaining that strong, unified message across all teams will be crucial for efficiency and morale, especially for those in client-facing roles like VP Account Management. Keep
Show more
Pros: The work flexibility at FIRST is a huge advantage for a software company; being fully remote has truly enhanced my work-life balance as a Software Engineer. Management places a lot of trust in employees to manage their schedules effectively, which is critical. The collaborative environment ensures I'm constantly learning from experienced peers, and the tech industry projects are consistently engaging. There’s a strong sense of teamwork, and I always feel supported. It's a great place for
Cons: While leadership is generally very supportive, communication around certain strategic shifts or broader project priorities could be more consistent across all teams. Sometimes, during critical release cycles, the workload can become quite intense, impacting daily work flexibility, though it's usually manageable. Streamlining clarity in some of the internal approval processes would also help expedite development efforts and reduce potential bottlenecks for our engineering teams.
Advice to Management: Continue to prioritize clear and consistent communication regarding company-wide strategies and project updates to all engineering teams. Also, explore ways to better distribute workloads during peak periods to maintain the excellent work flexibility that employees value so highly, ensuring it doesn't diminish during crunch times.
Show more
Pros: I appreciated the flexibility offered, making it easier to balance personal commitments. The team I worked with was collaborative and skilled, and there were clear pathways for professional development. The company culture fosters learning and innovation, which is great for anyone in the FinTech space looking to grow.
Cons: While flexibility is a plus, communication on project scope and deadlines could sometimes be clearer from higher up. This occasionally led to rushed work or confusion, though it was usually manageable. Some internal processes feel a bit bureaucratic, slowing down quick decisions.
Advice to Management: Continue fostering the flexible work environment and invest more in transparent communication channels between project teams and senior leadership regarding project expectations.
Show more
How do I check the status of my application for a software engineer role at a large tech company in New York?
After applying for a software engineer position at a large tech company in New York, I usually receive an automated email confirmation. If I don't hear back within a week, I'll check the careers portal for any updates on my application status.
How are cross-team relationships at FIRST in the tech industry?
In my experience at FIRST, collaboration between departments, like engineering and marketing in our San Francisco office, is really strong. We frequently partner on projects, fostering a cohesive environment.
What's the dress code like at FIRST for someone working in IT in their Chicago office?
At FIRST's Chicago office, the dress code for IT roles is business casual, so I usually wear slacks and a button-down shirt. It's comfortable for our mid-sized tech company environment.
Does your company conduct reference checks for software engineering roles in San Francisco?
Yes, during the hiring process for our tech team in San Francisco, we typically reach out to professional references to get a better understanding of a candidate's work ethic and skills.
What's the interview process like at FIRST for an entry-level marketing role in Chicago?
My interview process at FIRST for a marketing coordinator position in Chicago involved a phone screen, a panel interview with the team, and a final discussion with the hiring manager. It felt very thorough, giving me a great understanding of the agency culture and the team I'd be joining.
As a CEO, what are the primary leadership challenges I'd face at a rapidly growing SaaS company like FIRST?
Leading a fast-paced SaaS company in a competitive tech industry means balancing innovation with operational efficiency; it's a demanding but rewarding role, especially within a mid-sized enterprise focused on scalable solutions.
What's the day-to-day like for a Category Manager at a large CPG company in Chicago?
As a Category Manager at a major CPG firm, my typical day involves analyzing sales data, collaborating with brand teams, and developing strategic plans to drive category growth, often engaging with external retail partners.
What's the dress code like for a software engineer at FIRST in Austin, a mid-sized tech company?
At FIRST, the dress code for roles like software engineer in Austin is pretty casual; think jeans and t-shirts or polos are perfectly fine for our mid-sized tech environment.
SG
