4. We also opened a brand-new office at the height of the pandemic. Why do you believe that was so important for the agency and the community?

JA: We had a vision to create an inspirational, open, creative and collaborative hub — a space to inspire creativity among our staff, a draw for new business and recruitment, and a gathering place for community events. Thankfully, the pandemic didn’t derail any of the major design plans, although we were able to incorporate more hybrid activity into the design with technology.

Today, employees have more room than ever to spread out, come together and, most important, continue to grow. For the first time in Wray Ward’s 44-year history, our office and studio are housed under one roof. The 3,000-square-foot studio is incredibly functional, and we’ve made it available for community events as well as a rental space to other photographers and producers in the area.

5. Pandemic or not, why are strong leaders so critical, in this business and beyond?

JA: I believe our people want to understand our vision, need to be inspired and, now more than ever, need constant and clear communication. They want to understand what’s driving the company they work for, and they should be recognized for their contributions. What’s important to leadership? Leaders — good or bad — set the tone. No matter what’s happening in the world, strong leadership ensures staff feel supported and nurtured, engaged and connected.

Strong leaders also promote and support initiatives that enrich the company’s work and industry and its employees’ lives. For example, diversity and inclusion are hugely important to Wray Ward and to me. As a result, we’ve increased diversity among our workforce and FORM internship program, hired more minority vendor partners and provided diversity and inclusion training for staff. In addition, we’ve built a robust library of resources and hosted community events.

I also believe leaders are responsible for bringing the company’s culture to life. They can’t just align with it; they have to embody it. Everyone’s talking about empathy right now, but it’s always been ingrained in the culture at Wray Ward. That’s one reason our retention rate is so strong: Our employees average 6.5 years versus the industry average of 2.4 years.

6. What do you believe makes Wray Ward’s culture so special?

JA: I believe our culture is authentic and can be felt in many ways. It brings our core values to life. It’s how we take care of our people. It’s embodied not by what we say, but what we do. And, we’ve worked hard to create and fiercely protect our special culture based on creativity, collaboration, trust, kindness and joy.

The ping-pong table didn’t get us through COVID-19. We didn’t have parties in 2020. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve lived our culture by sharing our brightest and most emotional stories. Being kind to one another. Staying connected, even when we were physically apart. For example, our “Front Porches” portrait series capturing how our employees spent their time at home (now hanging as a wall installation in our new office), and a series of deeply personal perspectives shared by different team members during our weekly Town Halls: A resource manager sang a song she wrote. A copywriter shared watercolors she painted. A content writer read a poem she penned.

We also challenged our Chief Joy Officer, a long-time role that creates platforms for joy and camaraderie, to reimagine how we help our employees find joy inside and outside of the office. The result? Virtual happy hours, an online Halloween party, socially distanced yoga at our open-air studio space, and more.

Culture is a hard thing to measure, but I know for certain that it has helped guide and sustain Wray Ward through challenging times. It’s a competitive advantage, and I love seeing how it inspires our teams and creates a sense of pride and ownership.

7. What qualities do you look for in potential new team members?

JA: First of all, I think they have to be passionate about this business. They have to be willing to bring creativity to everything they do. Check their ego at the door. Be team players. Collaboration is hugely important to our work and client relationships, some of which we’ve had for 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years.

We have unbelievably talented folks, but when we look at potential hires, we’re also asking, do they have the talent and lack the ego? Because that combination builds trust and respect and the ability to think boldly. Yes, candidates need certain expertise and knowledge, but they also need energy and respect and kindness.

8. As you said, Wray Ward has had incredible growth. What do you hope new employees experience in their first few weeks?

JA: I hope they feel welcomed. I hope others are kind and generous with their time. I hope they see joy in what we do and feel our culture of celebrating victories. I hope they share in that success, even if the work predated them. I hope they see how they can help make things even better. I hope they walk past my open door and know it’s truly open.

9. You came to Wray Ward as an art director. If you could go back in time and speak to that version of Jennifer Appleby on her first day, what advice would you give her?

JA: Learn all you can from the amazing talent around you. Go to night school to get your MBA. Travel more — see the world. Don’t cut your maternity leave short because you think they can’t function without you. Seek out excellent mentors — and return the favor by being a good mentor to others. Also, invest in Apple.

10. What’s next for our agency? How do you continue to inspire, now and in the future?

JA: I’m constantly thinking about what’s next.

How do we grow and expand our footprint in the home and building category while keeping a diverse portfolio? Respond to new technologies and a rapidly changing media landscape? Evolve the solutions we offer and the talent that delivers them? Expand our commitment to diversity? Find new opportunities to do great work while making a difference and giving back to our community?

Most importantly: How can we do all of that while fiercely protecting what got us here?

Want to be part of the special place that is Wray Ward? Explore our open positions.