How to Create a Joyful & Productive Work Culture in an Advertising Agency

Look, we’ve all been there, sitting in another mandatory “team building” workshop, watching the clock tick by while someone talks about “synergy” for the thousandth time. But here’s the thing: creating an amazing work culture in an advertising agency doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. It’s about fostering a culture of belonging in the workplace where creativity thrives and team culture in the workplace evolves naturally. Let’s break down what actually works from our experience.

Start with a Solid Foundation: Building a Strong Work Culture in an Advertising Agency

Launch a Buddy Program That Really Works

Remember your first day of school when you didn’t know where anything was and everyone else seemed to have it all figured out? Walking into a new agency role can feel like stepping onto a moving treadmill – everyone else seems to know the perfect pace while you’re just trying not to accidentally delete an entire project charter. Here’s how to create a buddy system that actually helps:

• Pair new hires with experienced team members (not their supervisors)
• Create a simple get-to-know-you guide for to help facilitate these conversations
• These meetings don’t need to be formal, it’s better if they aren’t!
• Schedule regular chats for the first 90 days
• Your new hire’s Buddy should be their go-to person—someone they can turn to for the ins and outs of your agency without worrying about bothering their supervisor

Reimagine Happy Hours 

Some of the most creative campaign concepts spark from casual conversations during virtual happy hours. Those “off the clock” moments create the perfect environment for unexpected creativity. Here’s how to make team gatherings count:

• Schedule them during reasonable hours, even better if you can find time in the workday! (not everyone can do 8 PM on a Tuesday)
• Mix up the activities – There are tons of games to play when conversation needs a boost. Some of our favorites are skribbl and scattergories 
• Make them optional, no one likes forced family fun
• Making them virtual is a great option for remote and hybrid workers 

Create Spaces That Foster Team Culture in the Workplace

Set Up Interest-Based Groups 

People do their best creative work when they can be themselves. Creating micro-communities within your agency isn’t just about having fun – it’s about building spaces where authentic connections flourish and creativity can thrive. Each group gets their own Slack channel and can organize their own happy hours or meetups, keeping the conversation and connection flowing naturally. Here’s how to structure these groups for maximum impact:

Interest-Based Communities:

• Green thumb club (for the team members who have the capacity to keep a succulent alive)
• Book and podcast discussions (where work talk is the only thing banned)
• Wellness and mindfulness (It’s never a bad idea for those in leadership positions to join these, showing your team members you care about their wellbeing goes a long way)
• Gaming and entertainment (because sometimes the best ideas come after a discussion of Mario Kart)
• Other interest groups suggested by your team! Encouraging input from your employees goes a long way to showing them you value their individuality.

Identity-Based Groups: These spaces go beyond shared interests to create vital connections and support networks:

• Employees of color
• LGBTQ+ employees
• Shared religions amongst team members

These groups aren’t just social circles – they’re safe spaces where team members can share aspects of themselves they might not otherwise bring up in day-to-day work life. When people feel truly seen and supported, they bring their whole selves to their creative work.

Establish a Culture Committee 

Think of your culture committee as your agency’s internal creative team, but instead of crafting campaigns for clients, they’re crafting experiences that make Monday mornings something to look forward to. To make real impact, they need actual power and resources, including:

• Representatives from every department so everyone has a voice
• A dedicated budget (because culture isn’t free)
• Regular meeting times (with actionable directives such as: What can we implement this week to make our team smile?)
• Direct line to leadership
• Authority to implement approved ideas

Keep the Energy High All Year

Create a Weekly Digital Magazine Worth Reading

Think less corporate newsletter, more “Saturday Night Live” meets “Agency Life”:

• Weekly wins and success stories (from landing that impossible client to finally fixing whatever was going wrong in Asana)
• Department spotlights 
• Interactive content (think personality quizzes such as “What kind of sloth are you?”)
• Fun facts and quotes that spark conversation
• Team member highlights 
• Behind-the-scenes moments that make your agency unique

Building a Culture of Belonging in the Workplace

Create Wellness Initiatives That Feel Natural

Nobody wants mandatory marketing meditation. Try these instead:

• Flexible hours for creative peak times
• Mental health resources (whether that be weekly mediation or mental health days)
• Optional movement breaks (Don’t let your team members’ joints atrophy!)
• Quiet spaces for focus work or decompression

Making It All Work

Remember: building a strong work culture in an advertising agency is a marathon, not a sprint. The best team culture in the workplace grows organically through consistent effort and genuine care. Start small, keep what works, and don’t be afraid to ditch what doesn’t.

Key Questions to Keep Asking:

• Are these initiatives making creative collaboration easier?
• Do team members feel more comfortable sharing wild ideas?
• Is the culture supporting or hindering productivity?
• Are we adapting to feedback effectively?

And, hey, if all else fails, there’s always free coffee! 

In all seriousness, though, you can’t create culture through free coffee alone. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was any great agency culture.  Investing in a culture of belonging in the workplace will pay your team back dividends in not only productivity but also in employee satisfaction and retention. Create space for your employees to share their ideas and bring their personality to their work life, and you will see connection and creativity soar.