For years, return-to-office conversations have centered on mandates and policies, but the companies successfully bringing teams back are reframing the conversation around why being together matters. Rather than forcing attendance, they’re designing offices and experiences that prioritize connection, culture, and collaboration—creating moments employees genuinely want to show up for. In this conversation, chief people and operating officers from leading marketing communications agencies share how thoughtful spaces, recognition, leadership visibility, and purpose-driven in-office programming are making the office feel meaningful again, proving that when the experience is intentional, return-to-office doesn’t feel like a requirement—it feels natural.

Erica Kirwin | Chief People Officer, 5W

"Companies that are successfully bringing people back into the office are focusing on creating meaningful reasons to be there.”

“At 5W, we started by moving into a new office designed for collaboration, with flexible seating and breakout areas that support connection and teamwork.”

“Beyond space and food, recognition plays a critical role. We use Motivosity, our employee recognition platform, to reinforce appreciation in real time and connect everyday wins back to our guiding principles, helping people feel seen and valued whether they’re in the office or working in a hybrid model.”

“We’ve also invested in moments that build connection, from team-building and ERG programming to purpose-driven in-office days focused on collaboration and learning. For our senior leadership team, that includes dedicated AVP+ monthly in-person days designed to bring leaders together to focus on growing the business, strengthening leadership alignment, and driving the agency forward.”

“Our senior team comes into the office more frequently than any other group. That’s a deliberate choice. We believe that for a return-to-office approach to truly work, it has to be modeled from the top down. When employees see leadership showing up, collaborating in person, and investing the time, it reinforces the value of being together and builds trust, respect, and buy-in across the organization.”

“When companies clearly communicate the why behind being in the office and design experiences that can’t be replicated remotely, employees are far more engaged and willing to show up." 

Marc Yudkin | Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, VaynerX

“Collaboration and team connection are fundamental to how we work, which is why being together matters to us. Fortunately, as a result of our culture and "people-first" approach, our people have embraced returning to the office. Of course, we have invested in creating an office environment people genuinely enjoy, with thoughtful spaces designed for collaboration, encouraging group meals and learning sessions, a wellness room to recharge, and the overall trust that comes with an unlimited PTO policy. However, at the end of the day, we have learned that when people feel supported by the culture, coming into the office feels natural and not a RTO mandate.”

Samantha Turtle | Chief Operating Officer, Head of LA Office, HUNTER

"For more than 35 years, HUNTER has proudly built a strong, connected culture. Using our New York headquarters as a cultural anchor, we’ve rolled out initiatives across our LA, Chicago, and UK offices, each adapted locally and aligned in purpose and tradition. These include Cupcakes + Cocktails, a monthly celebration of client work; Breakfast Clubs, an intermingling of staff across all levels and units over coffee and bagels; and an annual offsite, which this past year brought to life as a field day. We’ve also committed to in-person development through Training Thursdays, DEI-led programming, and community service initiatives, such as our recent Day of Service in New York and LA. We regularly measure engagement through Staff Surveys, and the feedback has been clear: these traditions are well-received, and we believe they have strong participation because they have evolved based on staff desires and requests. By making time in the office purposeful and centered on connection, learning, and collaboration, we’ve seen employees naturally re-engage because, at HUNTER, we like to say, we're Better Together.”