Wray Ward was selected as a winner of Ragan Communications’ Top Places To Work Award, a specialized category of the Employee Communications Awards. This honor recognizes the advertising and marketing organizations that, in 2022, kept their employees engaged and inspired, championed a more diverse and equitable workplace and delivered powerful stories for their clients.

Wray Ward was among 11 agencies to win Top Places To Work in the mid-size category. All finalists were recognized during a luncheon in Chicago on April 28.

Wray Ward was recognized for its special culture and continued employee-first response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Creating intentional programs to engage employees; providing an extraordinary commitment to the Charlotte, N.C. community; and providing employees the opportunity to contribute to award-winning work while remaining in a hybrid, flexible work environment. In 2022, the agency emphasized fostering a creative, collaborative atmosphere with interactive monthly Town Hall meetings; the creation of its Diversity & Inclusion Council, Open House, which held events throughout the year; and a revamped JOY program to engage and reward employees in new and healthy ways – physically, mentally and emotionally.

“With a work culture that supports and empowers our employees, it’s easy to see why we continue to produce creative, industry-leading work for our clients,” said Kent Panther, president and CEO of Wray Ward. “However, the awards don’t come with egos – as a company, we possess a ‘we, not me’ attitude, making Wray Ward a special place to work.”

In 2022, the agency also continued its 40-year commitment to giving back to the community through the continuation of EmpoWWer, its pro bono service-grant program for 501(c)3 community initiatives that need marketing resources and align with the agency’s pillars of creativity, shelter and advancement.

“One of the comments we hear most frequently from new employees is that they were most drawn to Wray Ward because of our community work – it’s integral to our culture,” Panther said. "Our seasoned team of professionals are able to provide powerful support to our neighbors who need it most, and we’re thrilled that it is recognized as a huge part of our company culture."

Ragan Communications has been delivering trusted news, training and intelligence for more than 50 years to internal and external communicators, HR professionals and business executives via its conferences, webinars, training, awards, subscriptions and membership divisions. The company’s various award programs celebrate the most successful campaigns, initiatives, people and teams in the communication, PR, marketing and employee wellbeing industries.