Celebrating five years of Ozone with five days of commentary from our brilliant team.
As we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Ozone’s launch, we’ve asked our team for their thoughts and opinions on the different things that have made for memorable moments across the years. Today’s feature focuses on the best of the best Ozone social events. After all, there’s no better way of getting brilliant people to be more brilliant together than by getting them away for the day-to-day to do something fun.
Together is the best way
Before we get stuck into the top socials, one of our Ozoners captured why these events are so important to us. They forge a unique sense of “togetherness,” according to our commercial trading director, Jacque. It’s quite brilliantly put by one of our front office sales team leaders – who knows a thing or two about getting the best out of award-winning teams – and is echoed by comments made by a more recent recruit to the Ozone team. Stephen, our programmatic sales lead who joined us earlier this year, has been impressed by the sense of togetherness we have. “There's always someone with a smile, always someone who’s got time to chat, always an event to attend and always time for the team to be together.” Togetherness is so important to us that it’s also one of our Ozone values – “together is the best way.”
Our people get together at the 2022 Ozone Christmas Party
This sense of togetherness extends beyond our UK team. A highlight for product manager Hrishi was a recent trip to our Poland office. “It was amazing to spend time with my team. I work with them everyday remotely but being able to socialise in person strengthens our relationships.” Our fortnightly town hall when everyone in the business gets together to share knowledge and shout out people-news also strengthens our togetherness, said our customer success lead Charlotte. “The town halls are great. While a lot of businesses are still very remote, we have a great mix of hybrid working and a stronger culture because of our people come together for a regular all hands meeting.” Town Hall Thursdays are often accompanied by pre-pay day pizza lunches and our regular treat trolley, which gives Ozoners even more reasons to smile.
Together with the industry
What’s great about our approach to socials is it isn’t just about our people building stronger bonds and getting to know each other. It’s also about engaging with our partners from across the industry at events that are fun and make a difference. Three recent examples include Childline Sports Day and NABS’ Stranger Than Summer Ball and the Lord’s Taverners’ dinner and auction. Campaign manager Neya was particularly glowing about the Childline Sports Day calling it “an experience I won't forget. There were so many fun and challenging inflatable games, and so much competition. The desire to win from all competitor was palpable and it was all in aid of a great cause too.” Those attending will recall Neya’s extreme determination to win the wrecking ball game.
Our relationship with Childline was further strengthened recently when our CRO Craig cycled the length of the country – biking a bottom-blistering 1,000 miles – to raise more than £6,000 for the charity. Craig’s exploits were something Ozoners and our industry partners really got behind.
Elsewhere, Harry, our client services hub lead, said, “Attending the NABS Stranger than Summer Ball was fantastic. Not only do you get to celebrate with colleagues and industry peers and clients, but it all goes to help support the industry we know and love.” Well said Harry.
The Ozone Social Zone
It’s true a huge part of our culture is built by the relationships forged by Ozoners while they work, but for them regularly spending time together away from their desks is hugely important. How do we know? We asked them. One of the top requests from Ozoners when we launched the first of our regular employee engagement surveys was for there to be more socials. It’s no surprise that this need came after the various lockdowns during the pandemic when we were all starved of in-real life events.
We responded with the formation of the Ozone Social Zone, a group of volunteers from across the business who meet every fortnight to discuss ideas for events, activities, one offs to mark particular occasions. So far, the Social Zone has organised two highly successful (and competitive!) fancy dress sports days, a legendary music quiz, lunchtime walking tours and even Irish dancing on St. Patricks day (the latter being one of the most fun things to have happened in an office ever!).
Harry Beaven, client services hub lead and lion tamer, at Ozone Sports Day 2023
“What’s great about the Social Zone is that everyone really gets behind the events put on. There’s always brilliant engagement from the wider team when they take place and feedback afterwards,” said marketing design manager Gwen. “It’s also always a surprise to see just how seriously the leadership team take our socials who will always gamely dress up, throw some terrific shapes on the dance floor or bring the house down with spot on karaoke performances,” Gwen added. “Plus, there’s always good times, banter and cake – thanks to PJ’s contacts in the baking world.”
Treats for our industry partners
Ok, so it’s not strictly a social, but being sociable with our industry partners – or treating them, well, just because – scores highly with our team. A current example being the birthday cakes we’ve sent out to more than 70 agencies and publishers we are lucky enough to work with. It’s been lovely to see those cakes being scoffed on the socials of some of our customers!
Treating our agency partners at our annual Christmas celebration
A bigger event is our annual lunch at the NoMad hotel in London for our advertising customers. Client services executive Lucy, who attended the event last December, was suitably bowled over and said, “The agency lunch was such a good social event. It had so many great aspects to it, such as the beautiful location, the lovely group of people, and really fun entertainment. There was some much positive energy and goodwill from our guests throughout. It was lovely to mix with different people from various agencies, as well as celebrating an amazing year with the Ozone team.” Aww, thanks Lucy.
Fancy a pint?
Our final favourite social, according to Ozoners, is the ad hoc one. Popping to one of Borough’s many great pubs for a drink on a Thursday after work, board games evenings in the office, or reaching new heights with the climbing club. These are just some of the examples our team have shared with us. It’s feels apt to finish with Hrishi’s comments: “I believe I have built good friendships across my team and one of the main reasons for that is our ad hoc socials.” People, teams, culture values, our mission. These are the building blocks of the friendships we form. Happy fifth birthday to us #OzoneAtFive.
Just popping for one at one of Borough’s many fabulous pubs