Communicate's inaugural list of 'Best Places to Work' across the MENA region recognizes 10 organizations actively translating the corporate culture discourse into action. Discover how these companies are sustaining workplace excellence within the expansive realms of the marketing, advertising, and creative industries.
COVID-19 proliferated the importance of a lot of issues, and life at work was no exception. Locked in confinement, we had the time to reflect and re-think our priorities, and most of us can claim we came to the realization of how work dominates the majority of our lifetime. From the Great Resignation to a widespread reassessment of work-life balance, the pandemic has served as a catalyst for transformative change in the way we perceive and approach our professional lives.
Keeping all that in mind, Communicate decided to look at work, talent transformation, and the power of culture in the workplace differently this year. After years of commissioning the renowned ‘Salary Survey,’ we introduced the much-needed ‘Best Places to Work’ initiative – honoring organizations in MENA’s marketing, advertising, and creative sectors that stand out for their work policies, culture, and practices. Companies recognized through this initiative have showcased the best form of workplace excellence in the past year.
We didn’t consider ranking these organizations because, in a world where the traditional workplace is evolving, our focus was on celebrating diverse approaches to fostering a positive work environment. Each company listed has its unique strengths and strategies that contribute to a thriving workplace culture. This initiative aims not only to recognize excellence but also to inspire others to rethink and elevate their own workplace practices.
COMMUNICATE'S 'BEST PLACES TO WORK 2023' WINNERS LIST
Before we discuss the outstanding work policies implemented by these organizations, it’s important we establish a shared foundation among them. Across the board, each of these entities has prioritized flexibility and employee well-being as fundamental necessities for their workforce.
McCann Health, an MCN agency specializing in integrated communications for pharmaceutical and healthcare brands, has implemented flexible work arrangements to support new parents within their organization. Known globally for its creative and cultural approach to servicing - MCN’s Commonwealth McCann’s Dubai office also made it to this year’s cut of winners.
Another thoughtful initiative by Umami Communications makes employees feel valued by granting its employees a day off on their birthdays, elevating birthdays to an occasion as celebratory as a festival like Christmas. Admitad, the partner marketing platform, fosters a culture of open communication by actively involving leadership and employees at all levels.
Commenting on the recognition, Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad says, “Since establishing our MENA office in 2017, Admitad has embarked on an extraordinary journey. Being acknowledged as one of Communicate’s 'Best Places to Work' marks a significant milestone for us. We’ve had the privilege to collaborate with exceptional companies in the region, and this recognition reinforces our dedication to cultivating not just partnerships but a vibrant community of professionals committed to excellence. We firmly believe that our success is intricately tied to the success of our clients and partners, and we eagerly anticipate continued growth and impactful collaborations in the years ahead.”
To further extend their support and raise their concern for employees’ well-being – the company also launched a support fund to help employees who might be dealing with a financial crunch. The fund continues to be in operation – even today and can be used in the event of serious illness or other compelling times.
Many of these organizations are proactively investing both time and resources to ensure their employees have a profound understanding of their company’s purpose and vision. Agencies are actively fostering a culture of continuous learning to inspire creative thinking among their teams. For instance, Havas organizes an agency-wide training off-site called EmpoweRED, where its community comes together to brainstorm and rethink strategies in a relaxed setting. During this event, teams collaborate closely with the creative, strategy, data, and analytics teams, further enabling a seamless exchange of ideas and expertise.
This collaborative approach not only strengthens internal bonds but also ensures that diverse perspectives contribute to innovative solutions. Off-sites have become quite famous among agencies internally over the last couple of years. By actively investing in cultivating a deep understanding of their purpose and vision, these agencies are empowering their teams to think creatively and strategically.
Echoing this, Dany Naaman, CEO of Havas Middle East said, “This achievement is a testament to Havas Middle East’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for our clients, our business, and importantly, for our people. Every day, our people create an environment of collaboration and respect, which makes our company not just a workplace, but a community where everyone thrives. We share this achievement with each member of our Havas family, whose contributions make our workplace truly remarkable.”
In early 2023, TishTash Communications garnered attention for its pioneering policy— providing paid menstrual and menopause leave for its female employees. This ground-breaking initiative underscores the company’s dedication to prioritizing the health and well-being of women. Across the MENA region, organizations have consistently been focusing on crafting policies for their women employees. Among our distinguished winners, TishTash, an entirely female-run advertising business, stands out.
Umami Communications is making strides by introducing an additional two months of maternity leave. McCann Health distinguishes itself as the sole advertising agency within the MCN group led by a woman. Entourage, the regional independent communications agency manages to turn heads as one led by a woman as well.
Shereen Khoury, People and Culture Manager at Entourage said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be featured on the ‘Best Places to Work’ list from the prestigious Communicate magazine. It is an exceptional feeling knowing how highly our people think of us: a testament to our continuous efforts towards making Entourage a collaborative workplace and a creative haven. An ongoing process, we will keep working towards bettering ourselves, nurturing the very best of global talents who call Entourage home.”
METHODOLOGY
The selection process for our Best Places to Work for 2023 involved a comprehensive methodology designed to identify and recognize organizations in MENA’s creative industries practicing workplace excellence. Interested organizations were invited to participate by conducting an internally circulated employee survey, with a requirement of a minimum of 10 survey responses from the entering organization’s employees. An eligibility criteria including being headquartered within the MENA region, having a minimum of 15 full-time employees, and being in business for at least one year was set to ensure there was fair and objective evaluation. Winners were then selected based on the highest overall scores derived from the analysis of submitted survey responses. The methodology ensures a fair and objective assessment, allowing for the recognition of workplaces that excel in fostering positive employee experiences.
This piece was first published in Communicate's inaugural Best Places to Work 2023 issue.
