Ogilvy and Mather UK is planning to enter in to the spirit and excitement of Britain’s momentous year of sporting and historical events with a programme of initiatives designed to affect behavioural change among its staff.
The programme is part of Ogilvy’s #ogilvychange proposition that combines the gravitas of leading behavioural academic research with the real world communication expertise of the Ogilvy group.
O&M has taken steps to encourage its people and businesses to embrace key events such as The Olympic Games, Wimbledon and Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a programme of activities, named ‘Savvy, Fitness and Fun’.
Says Julia Ingall, Group HR Director, Ogilvy & Mather, ‘We set out to ensure that employees embrace this summer’s events with creativity and energy. Our aim is to encourage staff to feel inspired to produce their very best work and these events present a rare and unique opportunity for us to do this. This initiative enables us to galvanise as a group, work hard and create legacies that will stay with us and make us a great place to work during one of the busiest, most exciting periods in London’s history.’
Ogilvy’s London headquarters is based only minutes from the National Stadium in the Olympic Park. For its most savvy employees the agency has introduced a 2 x 200m Relay System which gives staff the choice to work on an early or a late shift pattern and avoid heavy congestion at key commuter times of the day. Early and late starters will be provided with breakfast and a Happy Hour dinner respectively, and specialist IT advice will be given to people working from their personal computers at home.
A ‘Come and Dine With Me’ initiative for people who live close and work together, encourages staff to invite colleagues to their homes and test out their culinary and hosting skills while they work.
For Fitness-oriented employees, bottles of Ogilvy Gold Medal water will be available to those running, swimming or cycling to work and an Ogilvy Travel twitter account will run with advice and tips.
A special room at O&M’s offices is being set-aside throughout the summer with a big screen permanently on for viewing sporting highlights. Employees are invited to bring their team, clients and family to the room and catch the latest news.
The pinnacle of O&M’s programme will be an Opening Ceremony party on Friday 27 July on the 10th floor of its offices, where staff and clients will be able to take full advantage of the bird’s eye view of the fireworks display at the National Stadium in the Olympic Park.
