Digital and design agency, Blackjet, in Toronto Canada is not the only agency that is finding it hard to hire and retain the best talent.
Although benefits package reality is starting to bite tech giants and startups, they have already established a foundation of really great perks that tend to mesmerise employees.
Blackjet knew that it had to think outside the square to compete. It also knew that one incentive would cut through the clutter of glittery lures to attract the “uber-talented, professionally budding, fresh-minded young millennials” it wants. Free dope.
“With laws changing in the US and being close to changing in Canada, we thought it was time to get ahead of the curve. Soon, we’ll dispense cannabis beside our office beer fridge. We will also be adding a potato chip dispenser,” the agency stated.
“Here at Blackjet we value our employees more than anything else,” commented Rob Galletta, partner at Blackjet Inc. “We’ll do whatever it takes to not only attract the best talent, but create the best environment in which to foster their creativity. Sometimes people need a little extra inspiration and we’re happy to provide it.”
Blackjet partners, Rob Galletta and Mo Solomon, announced the new benefits package containing free cannabis in a presentation at Adlounge’s Next Gen event for recruiting young talent on Tuesday, March 22 in Toronto.
“The response to our ‘pot perk’ announcement at the Adlounge Next Gen event has been overwhelmingly positive,” noted Mo Solomon, partner, Blackjet Inc. “It will be tough to weed through all the candidates. Now we’re even looking into some extensions like brownies and cookies.”
The decision to add this new incentive to Blackjet’s employee benefits package was not taken lightly. It was, in fact, the result of one clear insight, attained through a number of focus groups with Blackjet staff, most of whom are millennials. While research consistently describes millennials as selfish, disconnected, unreliable job-hoppers that are hard to manage, Blackjet discovered that “all they need is weed”.
Blackjet’s employee benefits package also includes a number of other competitive incentives, including:
- A casual work atmosphere and dress code
- Pet-friendly office
- Summer Friday half days
- Summer extra-day long weekends
- Free coffee
- Free beer a ping pong table
- Office music sharing
- A social space and common area
- Wall mounted iPads
- Amazing office events and excursions (ski/snowboard day, axe throwing, curling, guac-off / chili competitions, Oscar & sports pools).
Video credits:
Agency/Client: Blackjet Inc.
Creative directors: Marco Marino & Mo Solomon
Account director: Fred Morin
Director: Dean Vargas
Production company: Motion Pantry
Music: The Shears
