#Fearless4Friday: From LAX to SIN – Transcending Global Borders

We’re so excited to bring you our first feature in our new “#Fearless4Friday” series. Each Friday, we’ll share #Fearless4 stories we see throughout the week that demonstrate the fearless pursuit of the unexpected. Each week it will come from a different Zeno voice to showcase a variety of perspectives across various practices.

This week, we’re kicking things off with Casey Ibbetson, Account Supervisor in Zeno Santa Monica, and her experience visiting the Zeno Singapore office. Take it away, Casey!

Last year I was honored to win the agency’s annual DAN award and was able to pick an office in the network to visit for one week. I flew more than 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, traveled for 24 hours, and crossed the international dateline to find out that Singapore is exactly like Los Angeles. Alright, that’s a gross exaggeration, but Singaporean love for music, food, shopping and coffee rivals that of LA locals and after spending a week in the Zeno Singapore office, I’ve come to realize how tight knit the Zeno Green Machine truly is and what a unique office culture we have – a culture that transcends global borders, time zones and even language barriers.

1.       Coffee Handles, Anyone?

To be perfectly transparent, my week started off with a bit of a rough Monday morning. I landed the evening before so I was slightly jet lagged, but that’s where the Singaporean coffee comes in. I picked up a coffee to go on my way into the Zeno Singapore office, which I found out includes the best invention ever – a plastic bag-like handle that wraps around the cup.  

2.     Singapore’s Sophisticated Social Strength (say that 3 times in a row)

After a couple cups of local coffee and getting to sit in on the Zeno Monday morning staff meeting, I began to soak in everything that Zeno Singapore has to offer. I discovered that a majority of the work out of the Singapore office is digital/social and the campaigns they run are cutting-edge.

Zeno Singapore is the hub for all things Zeno Asia and as I sat in on a client call, the local team discussed how work is carried out across multiple countries in the region. I was blown away. The seamless process that the Singapore team has developed to distribute content, messages and programs across various Asian offices is sophisticated to say the least.

3.       Tantalizing the Palate

Throughout my week in the office, I got to understand what life is like as a Zeno Singaporean and I began to really understand that the Zeno Singapore office culture is strikingly similar to that of Zeno LA.

In true Zeno spirit, the Singapore team likes to work hard and play hard and their camaraderie, humor, work ethic and spirit was readily apparent. They welcomed me with open arms and took me on a few culinary excursions that I immediately dove into, trying everything they put in front of me. I was introduced to the Singapore version of Nasi Padang, a traditional chicken and rice lunch, and Dim Sum.

4.       Having a Happy, HAPPY Hour

The team also took me to happy hour at a local spot where Gin and Tonics and Tiger Beer were the drinks of choice.

Overall it was an amazing trip and it was incredible to see what life at Zeno is like across the Pacific Ocean. I’m hoping that one of the Singapore team members makes a fearless journey like mine so that I can show one of them what life is like in LA! Happy Friday and enjoy the below pic – it’s a view of what it looks like outside the Zeno Singapore office at night. Don’t you wish all trees were decorated like this all? Another trend I am bringing back to Cali!