The Australian Financial Review (AFR) and BOSS Magazine have revealed 2023’s Best Places to Work list in the Media and Marketing category.
Taking the top spot on the list is Equality Media + Marketing led by managing director Marilla Akkermans. Last year, she experimented with a four-day working week at her agency, called Equality Time, which has since continued on and spurred the agency’s recognition in the media and marketing sector.
Akkermans told the publication: “The 40-hour work week was made when there was only one household worker, there was someone who was unemployed or a full-time home carer.
“A 40-hour work week was so inventive when people could work up to 120 hours a week. But looking into how we can work in this knowledge era, often people are only working four hours a day. Why are we making everybody sit at a desk for five days a week?”
Since shifting to the new four-day week model the agency has spent 68% less time spent in meetings, saved 490 working days across staff, improved profit and retention and better employees fitness, according to AFR.
Half Dome has also made the list for a third consecutive time. The independent agency has taken a proactive approach to employee wellbeing and training since its inception, establishing a strong workplace culture, based on positivity, co-creation, and personal development.
The agency has been recommended by 95% of employees as a great place to work, naming initiatives like an unlimited annual leave trial, individual wellness budgets, extra leave for recharging, flexible hours, and mental health first aid training as first-rate.
Half Dome has also been recognised by the AFR and BOSS Magazine for its focus on developing agile, invested leaders, offering unique learning opportunities, as well as day-to-day feedback and growth within the team.
Tom Frazer, Half Dome managing director, said: “Half Dome takes pride in creating a space for challengers to thrive. Those people with an ambition to up-end the status quo and get the best out of themselves. To attract and retain these high performers, a dedication to providing the best possible work environment has become our laser focus, and it is this mentality that has led to the creation of our current market-leading product.
“It is an honour to be recognised for the third year running on this prestigious list, what we consider an amazing achievement in our short history.
“Our culture, which focuses on feedback, improvement and growth, has us committed to continuing the trend of being a leader in the people space, and we look forward to evolving next year and beyond.”
In at sixth place was strategic insights consultancy Nature. The firm was recognised for its achievements in delivering an industry-leading Paid Parental Leave Policy, entitling staff to 26 weeks of full-time paid leave for primary carers and two weeks for secondary carers.
Nature was also recognised for its learning development platform, Nurture, as well as industry-leading workplace flexibility and commitment to equality through its diversity and inclusion policies – all since becoming a certified B Corp in 2022.nature
Chris Crook, founder and managing partner of Nature, said of its placement on the AFR and BOSS Magazine: “When Nature started 16 years ago, the main aim was to provide clients with the very best insights and experience in Australia.
“Over time, and as our team has grown from one to more than 60, we’ve placed more and more onus on being the best consumer insights agency to work at; a place where people can grow, develop and thrive and do the best work of their careers.”
Trudi Sampola, Nature director of people and culture, said: “Nature is in the business of tomorrow, and to best inform this vision, we put our people first. We work hard to create a great workplace and we’re proud to sit among the best in Australia.
“With our Paid Parental Leave Policy, we understand that new parents should not have to choose between a family and a fulfilling career. We’re committed to ensuring our people can focus on their growing families, and when they’re ready, return to a supportive and rewarding work environment,” she added.
2023’s Best Places to Work list in the Media and Marketing category:
1. Equality Media + Marketing
2. Kaimera
3. Half Dome
4. M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ
5. King Kong Agency
6. Nature
7. Publicis Groupe
8. PHD Media Australia
9. Rocket Agency
10. Reload Media
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Top image:
Left – Joe Frazer, Will Harms and Tom Frazer.
Right – Marilla Akkermans
Bottom – Nature team