"When I started the company, I selfishly wanted to be around positive, energetic, funny and awesome people every day. We started hiring and before I knew it, we had a whole village of amazing, kind human beings that smile often and always look at the glass as half full. That energy is contagious internally and it carries over to all of our client relationships."
- STN DIGITAL OWNER/CEO, DAVID BRICKLEYAt STN, our goal is never just to be good; it's to be extraordinary. We believe extraordinary performance starts with extraordinary people, grounded in extraordinary culture. The 28 fundamentals below define the behaviors that shape our unique, award-winning culture. Together, they set us apart and fuel our drive to remain the #1 social-first marketing agency in the world.
In every situation, let the customer’s needs be your top priority, delivering white-glove customer service at every turn. There’s no better way tobuild a reputation than by earning trust, and no quicker way to earn that trust than by consistently doing what is right every single day.
Put simply, we exist for no other reason than to serve our customers, external and internal ones. Let your smile and professionalism shine through in every customer interaction. Take the extra steps necessary to amaze our customers and create experiences they’ll tell others about. Create customer loyalty by doing the unexpected.
Your energy introduces you before you even speak. Every conversation, phone call, e-mail, etc., sets a tone and creates a feeling. Pay attention to every interaction and be sure you’re setting a tone of friendliness, warmth, and helpfulness.
People expect us to respond quickly, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or by e-mail. Keep everyone involved and continuously updated on outstanding issues. Getting back to people promptly is a clear way to show your passion for excellence. Remember, time kills all deals - especially in sales - so we move with speed and precision to get the job done.
It’s not about you. Don’t let your ego or personal agenda get in the way of doing what’s best for the team. Worrying about who gets credit or taking things personally is counterproductive. We are a team of selfless heroes focused on advancing company goals.
Be reliable and deliver on your commitments every time. This includes being on time for all phone calls, appointments, and meetings. Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. If a commitment can’t be fulfilled, notify others early and agree on a new commitment to be honored.
Create clarity and avoid misunderstandings by discussing expectations upfront. Establish mutually understood objectives and deadlines for all projects, issues, and commitments. Where appropriate, confirm your communication by asking others to repeat back their understanding to ensure total clarity and agreement.
Like a championship-winning team, our drive for excellence is hardwired into our DNA. Seek out benchmarks, best practices, and industry standards, meeting them first and then pushing beyond to surpass these best-in-class metrics.
Care personally, challenge directly. Speak up, even when it’s hard. Direct feedback fuels team success.
Believe people mean well. When something feels off, seek clarity. Don’t assume the worst
Know your audience. Write and speak in a way that they can understand. Avoid using internal lingo, acronyms, and industry jargon. Use the simplest possible explanations.
Be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the job...plus a little bit more. Take the next step to solve the problem. Even if it takes doing something that’s not in your job description, it’s the extra mile that separates the average person from the superstar. Be a superstar.
When you’re on, you’re fully on — keep your work phone handy, stay responsive on Slack, and let the team know if you need to step away. Just as important is being completely off, ensuring you have personal time to recharge. This balance of clear communication and respect for downtime fosters trust, maintains productivity, and helps our team consistently meet each other’s needs
Love the game, geek out over our clients, and recognize that fans spend thousands of dollars to attend these events. Our schedule might not be 9-to-5, but we embrace those nights and weekends with gratitude, knowing we’re living what many would call a dream job. Earned, not given.
Record a follow-up date for every action and take responsibility to see that it gets completed. Persistence is often the difference between success and failure. We get paid to complete things, not simply to put them in motion
While effort is appreciated, we reward and celebrate outcomes. We set goals, use measurements to track our pacing, and hold ourselves accountable for achieving them. We’re not married to our plan - we’re married to our results, and we never let the original process hold us back from finding the most effective way to succeed!
Always ensure there’s a clear goal behind every meeting, project, and conversation - no one’s time should ever be wasted. By stating the objective up front, you show respect for your team and focus everyone on achieving meaningful outcomes.
Regardless of the quality of your work, if you can’t manage multiple issues, tasks, and promises, you won’t be a superstar. Maintain a clean and orderly work area. Use an effective task management system for prioritizing and tracking outstanding issues and responsibilities.
A well-managed calendar reflects your priorities and ensures you’re making purposeful use of your time. Block out slots for ideation, recurring tasks, and larger projects, so your schedule is never left blank. By being intentional about every minute, you stay organized, accountable, and ready to deliver your best work.
Don’t let everyday hurdles overshadow the bigger picture - there are always greater challenges out in the world. By staying grounded, not taking yourself too seriously, and making space for a daily dose of laughter, you build resilience and keep your mind open for growth.
Regularly reevaluate every aspect of your job to find ways to improve. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo. “Because we’ve always done it that way” is not a reason. Find a better way. Think differently. Challenge. Ask “Why?”
Don’t let the fear of “bothering” someone prevent you from asking for help or collaboration. If a teammate is truly swamped, trust them to speak up. By openly reaching out, we create opportunities for mutual growth, learning, and support that strengthen our entire team.
Pay attention to clients’ and managers’ preferences, patterns, and recurring asks - whether it’s timely email recaps, Slack reminders, or project updates. By staying one step ahead and adapting to their styles, you build trust and ease anxieties before they even arise. Proactive communication shows you’re invested in their success and strengthens those key relationship
Regardless of your role, stay plugged in to the latest trends, tools, and best practices in your field. Continuously refine your skills by seeking out new knowledge and embracing ongoing learning. By mastering your craft, you elevate both your own performance and the entire team’s success
Invest in in-person collaboration - it’s not extra, it’s essential. Strong relationships fuel great work, and nothing builds trust and alignment faster than face-to-face time
Create clear systems, teach processes, and share knowledge so that you’re never a bottleneck. No role should be a mystery or a one-person island. Great teams scale by documenting, mentoring, and empowering others, not by guarding information or making work seem untouchable.
Every peer relationship holds equal weight. If you’re great with clients but difficult with marketing or ops, it doesn’t work. True success means being a team player company - wide, not just within your lane. Client praise and strong KPIs matter - but so does how you’re viewed across the company
Be committed to leading the way in A.I., automation, and new technology that helps us work smarter and stay ahead. Stay curious, experiment often, and be open to change. Innovation isn’t optional...it’s part of how we lead.
STN Digital puts an emphasis on open communication, a supportive work environment, and the importance of employee mental health. What makes STN Digital even more amazing is the opportunity for continuous learning and growth.
Toni Prouty Accounting Manager
David and the executive team have built a one-of-a-kind culture, boosted up with unique and immaculate vibes. I get to work with some of the world's biggest brands, incredibly talented people who have become close friends and I truly feel supported each and every day.
Austin Penny Client Success Lead
I'm excited logging into work every day because of the people I have the pleasure of working with.
Evan Schechet Tech Integration and Project Manager LeadOur ongoing DEIB efforts help us to continue our work towards equal representation, ensure a workplace that is safe and inclusive for all and allow us to keep making a difference with our clients and in our community.
We’re not meant for the sidelines. We take action.
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The STN Social Report is designed to provide you with the latest trends & resources to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape of social media.