At Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, we embrace and encourage curiosity. We live for client euphoria that is driven by our willingness to follow that curiosity and deliver on a great idea. And we surround ourselves with people who embody those traits. We believe that each of us has a vested role in building a culture of ideas, infusing new life and new passion into the organization - and, ultimately, setting the path to where Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (and our clients) can go.

The ideas, customs, interests and traditions that inform our culture result from the contributions of the nearly 600 people who work here. We seek out people from a wide range of backgrounds to build a company rich in diverse experiences and global perspectives. Not only does this level of diversity expand our accessible knowledge base and enhance our collective wisdom, it also helps us serve our global client base.

We pride ourselves on the strength of not only our client list but also our employees. How do we attract and retain the best and brightest? By keeping people challenged and rewarded. By offering a supportive yet flexible environment. By encouraging risk-taking. By fostering creativity and innovation.

By empowering our employees and valuing their contributions. Each employee has a distinct voice in our culture - a voice to which senior management listens closely. We have frequent Java ‘n’ Jam meetings where our CEO, Melissa Waggener Zorkin, informally joins employees in discussion of both client- and agency-related topics. Employees also regularly share their insights and experiences with colleagues via informal “Brown Bags.” At our annual Agency Business Meetings, employees not only participate in interactive breakout sessions and social events with people across different teams and different offices, they also enjoy additional opportunities to talk directly to the agency's leadership team about topics such as the agency’s expansion, new services and the types of companies they want to work with as clients.

By creating an ongoing environment of learning and education. As committed to our internal staff as we are to our clients, we believe strongly in mentoring, developing and investing in our employees. It’s a sound investment; they’re our greatest asset. We believe that Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, through our agency’s training program, truly sets the standard in the PR industry in the variety and quality of training programs and skill-building sessions that are available. Employees also receive an annual education allowance that can be applied to appropriate external training and learning opportunities.

By recognizing and rewarding their achievements. Beyond the external recognition that our teams achieve on behalf of clients, we also believe strongly in the value of internal awards. Our WExcellence Awards are presented annually to Waggener Edstrom Worldwide employees whose work exhibits innovative thinking or achieves exceptional results for clients. By sharing the winning work across the agency so that everyone can appreciate it, learn from it and be inspired by it, the program encourages us to grow and add new skills and tools on behalf of our clients.

By encouraging employees to maintain strong ties to community involvement and their personal interests. Community service and volunteer commitment are valued and encouraged at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide. In addition to corporate sponsorships, all employees have the option to use eight hours per year of paid time off to volunteer for a nonprofit organization they choose. The breadth and depth of agency involvement in these activities reflects the diversity of our 600 employees. Just one example: For the 13th year, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide has supported the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - through sponsorship, volunteering, personal donations and team participation. We put our best foot forward in this heroic race against cancer - the largest series of 5K runs and fitness walks in the world - by participating this year in races across Austin, Boston, Dallas, Portland and Seattle. Our European offices are also involved in the race against cancer, contributing financially to organizations such as the German Komen affiliate, the Children’s division of German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe), Cancer Research UK and London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

By keeping things fun. Of course, we also like to have fun. We firmly believe that work can and should be enjoyable. “Fun Friday” get-togethers, athletic teams, special-interest group gatherings, summer picnics and holiday parties are just a few of the ways we play as hard as we work.

Think you’d enjoy Waggener Edstrom Worldwide? Your career starts here.