Why Podean is One of the U.S’s Most Loved Workplaces.
Feature with HYER
Podean has one big mission: helping brands build lasting relationships with digital consumers that actually matter. This global marketplace marketing agency operates across five continents, turning marketplace chaos into sustainable growth for progressive companies who refuse to settle for ordinary results.
Operating as a global-first agency with Advanced Amazon Partner status across all markets and certifications spanning retail, media, content, and analytics, Podean delivers end-to-end marketplace management through offices in the US, Europe, LATAM, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. From strategy development and social commerce through their LiveCraft division to Amazon Marketing Cloud optimization, they work with clients to maximize growth through the most effective strategies tailored to unique goals and challenges.
Podean's approach centers on partnership rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, acting as an extension of client teams through transparency, long-term thinking, open feedback exchange, and collaborative relationships with other agencies. Named from "antipodean" meaning two places on opposite sides of the world, they bring unique perspectives to every client relationship while delivering clear, quantifiable understanding of retail media efficiency through their proprietary WOAS (Waste of Ad Spend) scorecard that evaluates media management across more than 30 weighted criteria.
Behind this global success lies a workplace culture that recently earned Podean recognition on the Breakthrough Culture Awards list, marking them as one of the most loved U.S. companies to work for. Building a culture that inspires, invigorates, recognizes, and rewards employees drives everything they do, recognizing that the sole driver of success is the caliber of their people and relationships with clients who choose to work with individuals they like who add value while remaining stable, energized, motivated, and imaginative.
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"We don't schedule meetings on Fridays, leaving the day for uninterrupted work or to start the weekend early." This philosophy reflects deeper understanding that work-life balance requires focus, organization, and collaboration while trusting teams to complete work in their time and enjoy as much personal time as possible. Focusing on outcomes rather than hours spent working, they've created environments where remote employees across the globe feel empowered without ever feeling isolated or lacking support.
Encouraging employees to "#workfromanywhere" and post about their experiences, Podean believes travel gives fresh perspectives that enhance work quality. Annually, they reward employees who work from the most exciting locations with all-expenses-paid trips to other countries where they operate, while providing every employee access to ten therapy sessions, Calm app subscriptions, MasterClass memberships, generous PTO, and one-month paid sabbaticals including travel for five-year employees.
Designating the last week of September as "Refresh Week" provides fully paid time off for the entire global company to ensure everyone's ready for busy Q4 periods. Working remotely while getting together often through local, regional, and global meetings for collaboration and fun, they invest money that would typically go toward office rent into talent, travel, restaurants, co-working locations, charity initiatives, and memorable experiences.
"We want every team member around the world to say that their time at Podean was the best career experience." This drives their approach to celebrating great work, learning from mistakes, and sharing knowledge globally through actively encouraging LinkedIn achievement posts that receive heavy engagement from colleagues, clients, and partners. Daily celebrations happen through their "#heytaco" Slack channel where employees give taco emojis and highlight exceptional work, proving that simple recognition systems can be highly motivating.
Learning from mistakes takes priority over blame, demonstrated when a team member accidentally priced client items "TO two cents" instead of "BY two cents," costing the company thousands. Instead of punishment, they implemented new approval processes, oversight levels, and training modules while supporting the employee through the experience. This approach builds psychological safety that enables innovation and risk-taking essential for client success.
Knowledge sharing across their global organization happens through buddy systems pairing employees from different countries for support beyond direct managers, complemented by #knowledgeshare, #media, and #content Slack channels that encourage sharing news, opinions, and learnings. Weekly regional and team Zoom calls, global CEO video updates, and monthly company meetings ensure connection and motivation across time zones and cultures.
Supporting remote talent requires extensive communication infrastructure including requirements that all new employees meet managers in person within their first month, creating touchpoints that maintain team connection. Attracting top global talent through LinkedIn culture initiatives, positive Glassdoor reviews (4.7 out of 5), competitive benefits, and demonstrated flexibility and trust, their supportive, collaborative culture consistently comes through in interviews with prospective employees.
Continuous learning and growth opportunities through company-wide and team-specific training, clear career advancement paths, access to global mentors and buddies, and supportive personal development environments ensure team members exceed expectations. This approach attracts self-driven, accountable individuals eager to take ownership while feeling supported by wider teams, resulting in just 8% voluntary turnover in 2024 alongside 57% revenue growth.
Recognition as one of America's most loved workplaces validates Podean's belief that exceptional client results emerge from exceptional employee experiences. With Glassdoor scores ahead of every competitor and global teams that consistently deliver award-winning marketplace strategies, they demonstrate that trust, flexibility, and genuine care for people create sustainable success that benefits everyone involved.
