When I started Edison Media, I was determined to create the kind of workplace culture I’d always wished for – one that respects real life and fosters real connections, no matter how high the stakes.
In the summer of 2019, my twin grandchildren were born prematurely, and that moment was a turning point. Balancing their medical needs while I worked at a previous agency made me realise that family and well-being should always come before everything else. The question that kept replaying in my mind was: “Why can’t we structure work in a way that values real life just as much as business growth?”
I decided to act on that thought. By December 2019, I’d launched Edison Media, and although it was a leap into the unknown, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my close friend – and now Managing Partner – Jodie. She believed in my vision from day one, backing me up with an unwavering “Let’s do this!” attitude. That partnership formed the foundation for the agency’s culture.
Building a people-first culture
Long before Edison Media existed, I learned the importance of balance. I became a mother at 17, juggling parenting with building a future. That experience shaped my belief that you can pursue excellence at work without sacrificing the moments that matter most in life.
When we launched Edison Media, I wanted to create a workplace where no one had to choose between career success and personal priorities. A child’s sports day, a best friend’s wedding, a parent’s hospital appointment – these things don’t wait for a convenient gap in the work schedule. We don’t just allow our team to show up for these moments – we expect them to.
Because when people feel supported in life, they bring their best selves to work.
Flexibility wasn’t an afterthought – it was built into our DNA. And that foundation was tested immediately when we launched just weeks before COVID-19 changed everything. While businesses scrambled to adapt, our people-first approach made it clear: trust and adaptability would guide us through. And they did.
Some teams have meetings – We make viral content
While remote work has its perks, nothing beats in-person collaboration. That’s why, even with our hybrid model, our office days are more than just sitting at desks – they’re about connection.
One moment, we’re deep in strategy sessions, the next, we’re catching up on life or testing out TikTok trends. It might sound counterintuitive, but I’ve seen firsthand how a culture of fun drives productivity. When people genuinely enjoy working together, they naturally step up – whether that means covering a colleague’s workload during a last-minute brief or jumping in to help on a tight deadline. It’s not policy – it’s teamwork.
This openness fuels creativity. Everyone feels comfortable contributing, whether they’re a designer, account exec, or part of our tender-writing team. Hierarchy doesn’t stifle ideas here – collaboration brings out our best work.
Giving young people a chance
A great culture means amplifying every voice, including those just starting out. I remember how tough it was breaking into the industry, so from day one, we’ve welcomed apprentices and work-experience staff, building strong links with colleges and universities.
This isn’t about coffee runs and admin – we give young talent real opportunities. Since launching, we’ve hired two full-time and one part-time team members through this route and helped place two others in industry roles.
Lily’s a perfect example. She joined us one day a week during her final year at university, graduated with first-class honours, and is now a full-time team member. In just two years, she’s become an inspiring professional, even making the shortlist for the Aspiring Leader Award. Watching her – and so many others – grow is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Trust and flexibility: The real productivity drivers
People often assume that a relaxed culture means lower productivity, but the opposite is true. Yes, we’ve grown 250% in Year 4 and 40% in Year 5, but the real success lies in our team’s well-being.
I want Edison Media to be a place where “work” doesn’t have to mean sacrificing health, family, or personal growth
Our internal surveys show a 9.3/10 well-being score and 9.6/10 for team support. Those numbers aren’t just stats – they guide how we work. Need a mental health day? Take it. A school assembly to attend? No questions asked. When people feel trusted, they don’t take advantage – they take ownership. And that’s what makes Edison Media thrive.
Building a strong, creative core
An open-plan culture also extends to how we approach brainstorming and idea generation. We’ve worked with massive brands like JD Sports, Nike, Adidas, Karen Millen and more – and each collaboration demands a high level of creativity and strategic thinking. Our approach is collaborative by design. When we say “open plan”, we don’t just mean the physical layout of the office; we’re referring to an attitude where no idea is off-limits and no question is too basic to ask.
It’s not uncommon for a junior designer to contribute a concept that a senior account manager refines, which the head of digital then figures out how to implement on Meta or TikTok. Because we’ve cultivated a culture of mutual respect, there’s no fear of being “too junior” to speak up. The result is a synergy that leads to some pretty remarkable campaigns.
Resilience through real challenges
Launching Edison Media a few weeks before the UK’s first lockdown was, to put it mildly, a test of our resilience. In those early months, we focused on sectors that were still active, like public services and healthcare, helping them get life-saving messages out quickly. It was challenging, but also motivating. Our team rallied around a sense of purpose – if we could navigate these stormy waters and still support each other, we could handle almost anything.
That’s a lesson we carry forward as we continue to grow. We’ve gone from 2 to 17 employees in just a few years, and though we’re now handling international campaigns across Europe, the US and the UAE, the essence of who we are hasn’t changed. We’re a people-first agency, and that ethos is the backbone of our service.
Celebrating the milestones
Success isn’t solely about hitting targets; it’s also about celebrating the journey. We love organising everything from small in-office gatherings (Easter egg hunts, Christmas quizzes) to bigger adventures like group trips abroad. These events aren’t an afterthought – they’re an integral part of our culture, reminding everyone that we succeed as a team and that our personal relationships matter.
Even on regular office days, simple things – like trying out a new coffee blend, spontaneously barbecuing, or yes, attempting to nail a TikTok dance – help keep the atmosphere fresh and enjoyable. It’s in these relaxed moments that authentic camaraderie flourishes, building a solid foundation for when the pressure is on.
Personal reflection
Looking back, I see that the early challenges – becoming a mother at 17, nearly losing my grandchildren, launching a business in a pandemic – were all catalysts for the culture we have today. Each hurdle reinforced the importance of empathy, trust, and agility in both life and business.
I’ve learned that when people are genuinely cared for, they’ll go above and beyond in their work because they want to, not because they have to.
At the end of the day, I want Edison Media to be a place where “work” doesn’t have to mean sacrificing health, family or personal growth. In my experience, that’s exactly when real success happens -when people are free to bring their whole selves to what they do, knowing they’re part of a team that has their back.
We’re not perfect; no workplace is. But we’re committed to learning, evolving and making sure that our people-first ethos remains at the heart of every big decision we make. It’s what fuels our creativity, sustains our growth, and – most importantly – keeps us aligned with the reason Edison Media came to be in the first place.
So, to my fellow agency owners, entrepreneurs, or anyone working to foster a healthier, more collaborative environment: focus on the people, and the rest will follow. That’s one lesson I’ve learned time and again, and it’s the guiding principle behind everything we do at Edison Media.
