We talk a lot about what it means to create an environment where people can truly thrive. And for us, that starts with belonging. Belonging isn’t built overnight - it grows through support systems, shared values, and a culture where people feel safe to be themselves. And when people feel they belong, they do their best work - and help others do the same. Our latest blog, Stories of Belonging at SMG, brings together voices from across our employee resource groups, sharing what inclusion and representation look like in practice - from flexible working for parents, to authentic visibility for LGBT+ colleagues, to tools that support neurodivergent ways of working. Creating a culture where everyone feels they belong is embedded in how we grow, how we lead, and how we show up for each other. 📖 Read the full blog using the link below. Celebrate. Include. Belong.
At SMG, our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is more than a principle - it’s how we build stronger teams and a better culture. Guided by the vision outlined by our CEO Katie Streeter Hurle, we’re creating an environment where every voice is heard and every individual feels empowered. Our annual EDI Report, launched this summer, highlights the progress we’ve made and the actions we’re taking to create lasting impact. 📖 Read the full report here using the link below. Celebrate. Include. Belong.
🏆 We’re excited to share that our Media Innovation Team has been shortlisted at the Performance Marketing World Awards in the Team of the Year category! This 30-person team is redefining retail media, and over the past year their work has powered: ✨ The expansion of Audience360 ✨ The launch of ASDA Access and Co-op Compass ✨ Strategic integrations with ITV, Criteo, and more By driving scalable first-party data strategies, omnichannel performance, and in-store digitalisation, the team has delivered an average ROI of £19 for brands - while paving the way for the future of commerce media. If you’d like to read more, you can find a summary of our submission on the PMW website using the link below. Huge congratulations to everyone involved - and to all the finalists! 👏
Career Journey Spotlight: Charlotte Santander ✨ Charlotte’s story is a brilliant example of how careers at SMG can evolve in unexpected and rewarding ways. Starting out coordinating campaigns, she’s grown into a strategic role shaping media partnerships and driving real business impact. What makes her journey inspiring is not just the progression, but the transformation, embracing new teams, new responsibilities, and even a new city. It’s a reminder that curiosity and adaptability can take you far when you’re open to change. Read Charlotte’s full journey in her own words using the link below! Explore. Adapt. Grow
One Day. One Team. One Big Huddle 🎉 Yesterday, during our annual internal event, The Big Huddle, nearly 500 SMGers from across the globe gathered in Manchester for a day of connection, celebration, and future-focused thinking - all themed around the most exciting force shaping our industry: AI. From inspiring guest speakers and strategic updates to powerful conversations on how AI is transforming the way we work, The Big Huddle was a chance to align, reflect, and get excited about what’s next. A huge shoutout to everyone who helped bring the day to life - and to every SMGer who showed up with curiosity and energy to make this our best one yet!
SMG's LGBTQ+ group attended our first Pride Parade in Nottingham last month! What a great day getting to see colleagues from across the network coming together for such a wonderful day 🌈
When our CEO Katie Streeter Hurle was asked by ADWEEK to share her perspective on stepping into the role while six months pregnant, the answer was an easy yes. In her words: “Pregnancy doesn’t diminish leadership potential. In many ways, it cements it.” The resulting piece is a powerful reflection on what it means to lead today — not despite personal life, but alongside it. It challenges outdated assumptions about availability, ambition, and identity, and offers a new lens on how leadership roles can be built for range, empathy, and long-term impact. We’re incredibly proud to see SMG’s values reflected at the very top. 💛 👇 Read the full article via Adweek:
Milestone moment - we’ve recently launched our first-ever Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Report! Because building a truly equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace takes more than good intentions. It takes transparency, accountability, and action. Inside the report, you’ll find: 🔍 Workforce data on representation across gender, ethnicity, and more 🗣 Real stories from our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) 📊 Our gender pay gap results, and the actions we’re taking next From now on, we’ll publish our EDI report every year, tracking our progress and pushing ourselves to go further. 📄 Read the full report using the link below!
🍪 Celebrating 100 sweet years of McVitie's Chocolate Digestives with pladis Global! Watch Eva Alcock, a Client Manager at {Capture}, share how they brought this iconic campaign to life, delivering standout results through partnership and creativity. 🎬 Plus, keep your eyes peeled for a stylish cameo from Matt Lee (OOTD goals) and discover Eva's ultimate biscuit choice. Hint: It’s a classic! Brands. Retailers. Icons.
Happy Pride Month! 🌈 We’re celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and everything Pride stands for: joy, visibility, and being unapologetically yourself. To mark the month, our LGBTQ+ ERG has been bringing people together across SMG through Pride-themed events and moments of connection — all with one mission in mind: to make sure every LGBTQ+ person at SMG feels seen and supported. In this video, Kiarna Innis, our incredible LGBTQ+ ERG lead, shares what Pride means to her, her favourite queer icon, and how we’re showing up this month to celebrate our people. Celebrate. Include. Belong.
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