Rooster Reboot: Chapter 1

In creative marketing, we’re constantly balancing energy with output. But when things get hectic, as they often do, it becomes increasingly difficult to create space in the workplace for fresh thinking, team connection and strategic clarity.

At Rooster, we’re always striving to lead by example. So, we’ve decided to take a step back and try something new.

We pulled away from our desks, closed our laptops and took a day to reboot.

Rooster Reboot is our company culture initiative that places a focus on wellness, creativity and personal development. For the first instalment of this new series, our team laced up their walking boots and walked 25km together. We travelled from Bournemouth to Poole, then up to Corfe Castle, caught the picturesque steam train to Swanage, and ended the day with an open-top bus ride back to where we started.

And while this might sound like a glorified team day out (and yes, we may have stopped at the pub afterwards for a post-walk celebration!), it was so much more than that.

This day was all about making time to reconnect with what matters most: the people at the heart of our company, our purpose and a renewed perspective.

When life gets hectic, take time to pause

In today’s marketing landscape, taking time away from our screens can feel counterintuitive… and even indulgent. Corporate culture demands constant productivity, often to the detriment of the people striving to keep up.

But creativity can’t be nurtured by staring at a screen all day. Creativity lives on its feet; it needs space to breathe. The brain needs time to wander, reset and re-engage with the task at hand.

That’s why we came up with the Rooster Reboot, which has been built around three core values:

• Movement: A physical challenge that works to energise the mind
• Mindfulness: We all need time to step back, reflect and reconnect
• Motivation: Collaborating on a shared experience to build stronger teams

We believe that some of the best ideas cannot be brought to life when you’re glued to a desk and chasing deadline after deadline after deadline. These ideas can only exist when you’re out walking, talking and seeing the world from a different angle, together.

Our Reboot is about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, challenging ourselves physically to unlock something new and fresh. It’s a reminder that healthy, well-connected people create their best work.

The route: 25km of fresh thinking

Our journey took us from the iconic pier on the seafront of Bournemouth, through Poole and onto the ferry at Sandbanks. We then trekked up to the historic site of Corfe Castle, which is an area steeped in stories and surrounded by stunning landscapes. We navigated hills, sandy beaches and coastal breezes, with each step bringing something truly valuable.

But the real value came from the conversations we had. Sometimes honest, sometimes hilarious and often unexpected, getting to know each other on a deeper level. And this was all free from the usual interruptions of phone calls, impromptu meetings and never-ending emails. On this journey, we created room for new thinking, for our clients, our culture and our creative approach.

There was laughter, reflection, a few sore feet, and, most importantly, a strong sense of achievement and connection.

Creativity lives on its feet

As a full-service marketing agency, we spend our days solving complex challenges and striving for innovative ideas that shake up the market. Together, our team are strategists, designers, web developers, content creators and campaign builders.

But all of that thinking requires an all-important ingredient: energy. And not just the kind you can get from a strong cup of coffee! It’s the kind of energy you get from walking in nature, having open conversations, challenging yourself and remembering why we do what we do in the first place.

During this challenge, we didn’t talk about key metrics, campaign stats or what we needed to get done on Monday morning. Instead, we talked about our goals for the future, any frustrations we have, and even the hobbies we love to do when we get home.

Because only when your mind is taking a break can you start to dream up new, exciting ideas.

Rebooting for renewed performance

Of course, we’re not claiming a walk fixes everything! However, we are advocates for taking a break and making space for connection within our team.

The Rooster Reboot is also a strategy for helping our clients. Ultimately, when we prioritise well-being, we can perform better; we can bring bold ideas and creative leadership to help their brands thrive.

This experience reminded us that it’s not selfish to take time away to reset. It’s actually necessary for gaining clarity on complex challenges, empowering our team to be more intentional and more inspired than before.

What’s next: Building a culture of compassion and curiosity

This first chapter in our Rooster Reboot is just the beginning.

As we continue to grow as an agency, we’re committed to embedding wellness and creative space into our culture. We didn’t want this physical challenge to just be a one-off; we want it to form the foundation for the ethos behind our organisation.

So what’s next? We’re already planning our next Reboot! It could be longer, could be shorter. It might involve the coast, or we might take a completely new path. Whatever we dream up, it will be a fun and creatively stimulating day that will enable our team to come back stronger.

Our mission is simple: to help the brands we work with thrive. And we believe that starts with thriving people.

The takeaway

By taking the time to reset, reconnect and rethink, together we can build something better. Not just for our team at Rooster, but for every client, campaign and creative challenge that comes our way.

We can’t wait to see what journey we embark on next. Stay tuned to discover where our Rooster Reboot series will go.

Feeling inspired? Get involved by starting your own company Reboots! And make sure you tag us on socials so that we can see the kinds of challenges you and your team get up to.