In partnership with The Industry School, Campaign has just unveiled its first annual Best Place to Work survey for businesses within the Advertising, Marketing and Media sectors. Reviewing data collected from employees who work across the industry they shortlisted the top 50 best places to work…
A quick scan through the 50 companies who made the cut reveals a few recurring trends. The first relates to location. The vast majority (42) are based in London, with Manchester and Brighton the only other places to host more than one of the best-performers. Signs that a “Northern Powerhouse” has yet to become true in creative industries.
Well-being is another key theme. More than a dozen companies offer yoga classes, while discounted gym memberships, on-site massages and nutritious breakfast foods are being deployed to ensure employees’ physical and mental health. More than half of the featured companies offer treats on a Friday, from early finishes to free drinks. All-staff parties and trips away are increasingly common – a handful, for example, run annual ski trips to the Alps.
It seems, the smaller the business, the better it performed against metrics such as leadership, planning and work environment. Among the small businesses making the final list, 97% of employees agreed that leaders are “open to input from employees”, dropping slightly to 96% among medium-sized companies and 90% in large organisations.
Best Places To Work 2018: Top 5 Large Companies
1. Proximity London
Ad agency, London
UK employees: 206
Average wage for salaried staff: £53,664
Gender split: 40% male, 60% female
Gabrielle Ludzker, chief executive of Proximity London: “A great place to work is somewhere people know how much they are valued, issues such as happiness and learning should not be considered fluffy stuff”.
2. the7stars
Media agency, London
UK employees: 150
Average wage for salaried staff: £46,264
Gender split: 51% male, 49% female
3. The Specialist Works
Media company, London
UK employees: 166
Average wage for salaried staff: £44,814
Gender split: 43% male, 57% female
4. Adam & Eve/DDB
Ad agency, London
UK employees: 429
Average wage for salaried staff: £62,005
Gender split: 45% male, 55% female
5. Mother London
Ad agency, London
UK employees: 156
Average wage for salaried staff: £64,000
Gender split: 47% male, 53% female
Best Places To Work 2018: Top 5 Medium Companies
1. Talon Outdoor
Media company, London
UK employees: 91
Average wage for salaried staff: £51,000
Gender split: 38% male, 62% female
James Copley, Managing Director at Talon Outdoor, advocates “you should treat people like adults, giving them the autonomy and flexibility to do their job”.
2. St Luke’s Communications
Ad agency, London
UK employees: 50
Average wage for salaried staff: £58,340
Gender split: 44% male, 56% female
3. Brainlabs
Digital marketing agency, London
UK employees: 132
Average wage for salaried staff: £26,000
Gender split: 51% male, 49% female
4. Direct Line Group Marketing
Brand marketing division, Bromley
UK employees: 132
Average wage for salaried staff: £46,000
Gender split: 60% male, 40% female
5. Propellernet
Digital marketing agency, Brighton
UK employees: 57
Average wage for salaried staff: £45,000
Gender split: 46% male, 54% female
Best Places To Work 2018: Top 5 Small Companies
1. December 19
Media company, London
UK employees: 18
Average wage for salaried staff: £41,000
Gender split: 40% male, 60% female
Dan Pimm, founder of December 19, urges teams to eschew the “forced fun” of table football and Nerf guns. Instead, it is about realising that a career forms only part of anyone’s life, and keeping working hours to a minimum. “An office dog helps, too,” he adds. “Keeps everyone smiling.”
2. 18 Feet & Rising
Ad agency, London
UK employees: 26
Average wage for salaried staff: £46,989
Gender split: 57% male, 43% female
3. ID Comms
Media consultancy, London
UK employees: 15
Average wage for salaried staff: £40,000
Gender split: 47% male, 53% female
4. Radiocentre
Trade body, London
UK employees: 21
Gender split: 43% male, 57% female
5. ZAK
Ad agency, London
UK employees: 20
Average wage for salaried staff: £53,000
Gender split: 52% male, 48% female