We set off in search of the coolest PR and marketing agency reception areas knowing we’d see some pretty amazing spaces: exposed brick, funky artwork and open, welcoming interiors. We didn’t expect to see the utterly amazing, quirky, and just plain fun alternatives to traditional office design, including an antique carousel, a barista bar and even a “WOW” bell for clients to ring when they experience great service. Equally impressive was the extent to which these agencies and their employees personified the social media ethos; collaborative work environments, Wi-Fi lounges, breakout spaces that foster creativity and sharing. Let’s take a look at ten of the places some very fortunate and creative people call “the office.”

2. Top 10 Coolest Agency
Reception Areas
We knew we’d see some pretty amazing spaces when we set out to find the coolest
agency reception areas. We knew we’d see lots of glass, gorgeous woodwork, and
open, welcoming design. And, true to our expectations, we did find those things.
We didn’t, however, expect to see such interesting, quirky, and fun alternatives to
traditional agency designs. Nor did we expect to be as impressed with the extent to
which some agencies personified the social media ethos. We were led down playful
side roads to find an antique carnival carousel, a barista bar, and even a jungle tree
house. We could hardly wait to share them all with you, so let’s get started!

3. 1. Ogilvy & Mather
Guangzhou, China
As a benchmark legacy company,
Ogilvy & Mather could rest on its
laurels, but doesn’t. The company is a
recognized brand worldwide and has
clearly stood the test of time, while
also entering the social media space
with panache and skill. That same flair
applies to the decor in the agency’s
Guangzhou, China office, where
we’re sure the creative team feels
inspired in open spaces that tickle
one’s inner child.
M. Moser Associates created this
playful space for the agency. The
design is full of color, movement, and
creativity. Whether it’s an antique
carnival carousel or a life-sized
nutcracker, the theme park feel here
cultivates a sense of fun. The only
thing missing is the cotton candy and
popcorn!
Image by Lagom Design Co.
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

4. 2. Taxi Canada, Inc.
Vancouver, Canada
Taxi is an advertising and design firm
that embodies the social ethos
beautifully. Its reception desk is a
coffee bar. The barista/receptionist has
a MacBook with the employee
directory in it and she can mix up a
mean cappuccino. The company also
has its own line of coffee, local
regulars, and a space that promotes
the brand through multiple touch
points of engagement.
The agency office situated within the
historical Lumberman’s building
further highlights the firm’s mindset to
finding meaning in the every-day. “We
believe brands should live, breathe
and represent the same thing to
consumers, wherever and whenever
they touch them,” explains Victoria
Gray, general manager of Taxi’s
Vancouver office. To this, we say café
ole!
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

5. 3. Access Advertising & Public Relations
Roanoke, Virginia
Access specializes in higher education,
high-tech B2B, and healthcare and
pharmacy public relations. The firm
scored big for its reception area’s beauty,
openness, and sense of heritage.
A large photo hanging on the wall
shows that the space was originally used
as the service bay for an auto dealership
in the 1930s and ‘40s. You can even spy
old tire marks in the refurbished
concrete floors if you look closely
enough. Access offers Wi-Fi, cold or hot
drinks and plenty of conversation while
clients and vendors wait. The sun pours
in, the hospitality flows, and the
location’s history is honored – a perfect
example of merging the past with the
present.
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

6. 4. Big Fuel
New York City, New York
It only makes sense that Big Fuel,
specializing in full-service social media
marketing, has a space that is designed
to be truly social. The front lounge
facilitates both digital and physical
interaction. The different configurations
of furniture allow for a wide range of
social interaction in this space that
features both long conference-like
arrangements and more intimate casual
settings.
We especially like the open versatility
and the way Big Fuel walks the walk. It’s
one thing to simply say you do social.
It’s another thing completely to design
your entire office space to show it.
Everything about this office screams
social.
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

7. 5. Laughlin Constable
Chicago, Illinois
Located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile,
Laughlin’s bright and energetic lobby
features a tattoo-inspired painted floor,
HD televisions, Wi-Fi, lounge chairs
made from cardboard, Victorian seating,
and walls made from old warehouse
pallets. Talk about creativity!
The lobby design is just one example of
the agency’s concern for workplace
environment. Laughlin Constable is
considered an employer-of-choice,
receiving numerous family-friendly
workplace awards such as the
prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Award for
Business Excellence in Workplace
Flexibility and numerous MetroParent
Family Friendly, Best Places to Work and
Working Mother awards. Great lobby,
great place to work, great entry into this
list. Congratulations to Laughlin for
taking “reception” to a new level!
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

8. 6. Mono Ad Agency
Minneapolis, Minnesota
It’s hard to improve on this description
of Mono’s office space: “Nested inside a
historic building in uptown Minneapolis
that sat vacant for almost 20 years
previously housing a print shop and a
car dealership, you will now find the
very cool offices of the advertising
agency Mono. In a neighborhood
known for funky shops, eateries and
apartments, the entrance to Mono’s
office is easily distinguishable by its
boldly colored blue door, which upon
entering, leads visitors down a path of
finished concrete floors that still have
flicks of color from the old print shop.”
Mono gets our vote for uber-cool
consistency in branding. Follow the blue
door to find them!
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

9. 7. Dixon Schwabl
Rochester, New York
When Dixon Schwabl moved to new
offices in 2002, the company called an
agency meeting to ask employees to help
create an office with a “WOW” factor—
an aesthetically pleasing environment
reflecting the firm’s own openness and
creativity. One look at its space, and we
say they succeeded.
Clients often “take a spin” on the spiral
slide in the lobby with most of them
landing on their feet, demonstrating a
“Perfect 10.” The lobby boasts a “WOW!”
bell near the front door so clients can ring
the bell if they received great service that
day. Lobby windows can be opened by
employees, allowing fresh air to circulate
throughout the building. We admit we are
ringing that bell!
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

10. 8. Edelman Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
Specializing in public and international
affairs PR, Edelman’s Washington, D.C.
office features a reception area that
reflects its style – clean, modern, crisp,
and sleek. The blend between
comfortable and modern is what caught
our eye. It’s a fine line to walk and
Edelman’s D.C. office does it beautifully.
The reception area includes Wi-Fi, an
open layout, hardwood floors, lots of
natural sunlight, walls of glass, quality
stonework, 3D wall art, tasteful Corian
and wood finishes, and an informational
flat screen for visitors to enjoy. The area
is flush with quality amenities and
engaging elegance – just like Edelman’s
social media, its website look and feel,
and its award-winning work. This is the
whole package.
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

11. 9. Whybin/TBWA/Tequila
Pyrmont, Australia
One look at the Whybin/TBWA/Tequila
website, and it’s no surprise that their
entry was worded with style, verve and
confidence.
Here’s what they said: “Stepping out of
the lift and into the newly renovated
third floor reception area of our
warehouse in Pyrmont is like a quick
visit to heaven. The glass ceiling lets the
sunlight come pouring in and it radiates
off the fresh white walls. Because we
think of our clients as VIPs, the red
carpet is there to warmly welcome them
as they take a stroll toward one of our
meeting rooms. You won't mind waiting
in this reception ... In fact, you may find
yourself arriving early on purpose!”
‘Nuff said.
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

12. 10. Walker Brands
Tampa, Florida
Welcome to “Brand Central”! With a
reception area – or rather, a purposeful
lack of one – Walker Brands gets our
vote for its homey style and innovation.
A large living room leads visitors into an
open kitchen, 14' island work space,
library, a hanging acrylic chair, a 37'
kinetic sculpture overhead, small break-
out tables with crayons and white paper
tops, and a floor-to-ceiling map wall
where guests “sign in” by leaving a
customized flag on their favorite spot. As
Tampa’s first LEED Gold building,
thousands have toured the space,
greeted by “Ruby,” the company’s Black
Lab and brand emissary. If this office is
going to the dogs, then we’re all in.
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

13. Bonus! David and Sam PR
Phoenix, Arizona
We couldn’t resist adding a bonus video
submission and we think you’ll
understand. Here’s the description in the
agency’s own words: “At David and Sam
PR, our entire Phoenix office functions
as one big reception area. With no
walls, our ‘tree house’ welcomes even
the most dysfunctional primates.
Walking in the door, visitors instantly
comment on the vibe, saying, ‘This
place feels just like a loft in…’ Portland,
Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco or
Amsterdam.
“Built with lots of glass, oxidized steel,
exposed beams, ducts and concrete, our
tree house also boasts a ping-pong
conference table and a gorilla mascot to
boot.” Watch the firm’s fun video for a
jungle adventure tour – you won’t regret
it!
Top 10 Coolest Agency Reception Areas

14. Top 10 Coolest Agency
Reception Areas
AND SO CONCLUDES OUR TOUR ...
We hope you’ve enjoyed these fun, inspiring, and welcoming examples
of great design and functional reception areas. What impressed us more
than anything was the way each office demonstrated its brand within
the space at hand. That’s the spirit of social we support and certainly a
worthwhile example for all of us. If you have a great reception area, be
sure to upload some pics and share them with us. It’s never too late to
make a great impression!

15. Top 10 Coolest Agency
Reception Areas
Next on “The Pulse”:
"Top 10 Most Connected Media Online”
We’ll feature our best picks of media websites - mainstream or otherwise -
with the widest, most engaged social media presences.
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