WASHINGTON: Washingtonian magazine has named Equals Three
Communications and Ketchum as two of the 50 best places to work in the
nation's capital.
Both agencies were recognized for fostering creative cultures and an
employee-centric atmosphere. The article, penned by Washingtonian
executive editor Sherri Dalphonse, credits Equals Three with creating "a
humane work-life balance in a field known for tight deadlines and long
hours." She cites Ketchum as the apparent exception in a "cut-throat"
industry.
However, neither agency made it on the list by virtue alone. Fran
Bernhards, vice president of internal/external relations at Ketchum,
mounted an aggressive lobbying campaign to secure a spot on the list.
She claims to have spent 10 days compiling a 20-page testament to the
joys of her firm, including the arrangement of on-site visits and
employee interviews for Dalphonse. "I spent a lot of time with HR folks
here and in New York to find out about maternity policies and things
like that," she said.
Barbara Hummel, senior vice president of Equals Three, added that her
firm was recently among a select group of businesses in Montgomery
County awarded the Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval by the
Montgomery Work/Life Alliance, "so it's not like this came out of left
field," she said.
