Rationale, a brand and content agency, has experienced significant growth since it was founded in 2019.
Launched by co-managing directors Rowan Morrison and Svein Clouston, the agency first started out in Rowan’s dining room in Portobello, Edinburgh.
The company quickly expanded and moved to Queen St in the centre of the city before moving to the creative quarter in Leith in 2023. In the same year, the team expanded from seven to 20, and moved to its current home of 61 Shore in Leith.
After being named as one of Prolific North’s Independent Agencies to Watch 2024, we find out what happens behind the scenes…
Rowan Morrison, co-managing director at Rationale, introduces us to the office…
“We started Rationale with the intention of creating a positive, safe and inclusive work environment – physically and culturally – for our team. As a proud B Corp and certified Great Place to Work, we’re adamant about providing a space where staff genuinely enjoy coming to work, and this has resulted in tangible business benefits: high staff and client retention, top-notch creativity, and a fun, collaborative culture.”
Where is it?
61 Shore in Leith.
How big is it?
The office is set up with four pods, each dedicated to a different department: creative, strategy, accounts, and operations.
Huge windows flood the space with natural light, creating a bright environment. The team enjoys views of the Water of Leith, where families of swans sit alongside a running and cycling path.
Staff enjoy freshly brewed coffee and teas, and there is an unwritten office rule to offer up to five teas if you’re making a round! Unisex washrooms are stocked with period products, and the balcony provides a perfect spot for summer lunches.
What happens here?
Rationale’s 20-person team specialises in brand and content for clients in regulated markets, including the financial services and healthcare sectors across the UK and the US. The agency operates on a hybrid model, with most team members gathering in the office on Mondays for their weekly look-ahead meetings, and bi-monthly social events.
The office is more than a workspace; it’s a hub for creativity and connection. Highlights include:
- Hosting events, like the company’s fifth anniversary party, sessions for the Financial Services Forum and B Corp socials.
- Offering the boardroom to local charities free of charge.
- Supporting community initiatives like the Edinburgh chapter of Ladies Wine & Design as sponsors.
- Regular social activities, including yoga, movie nights, and learning lunches.
- Monthly “buddy dates” where team members from different departments pair up for coffee and cake at local cafes.
- Friday runs along the scenic Leith waterfront with the Rationale Run Club.
- Dog-friendly policies, making resident pups Buzo and Arlo part of the team.
Every day at Rationale is different, with activities ranging from strategy development to creative production. The accounts team handles client relationships, leading their partnerships to achieve an impressive NPS score for the agency of 71. The strategy team conducts research, interviews, and data analysis to inform brand, campaign, and content strategies. Meanwhile, the creative team brings these strategies to life through multi-channel campaigns, brand identities, magazines, and websites. They also collaborate with the video team, who handle video and podcast production.
The daily buzz in the office sees the Rationale team working collaboratively throughout the day, from all-agency brainstorms to one-on-one conversations easily taking place to the backdrop of greenery across pods. If you walk through their office, you may notice painted plant pots in the shape of llamas on their desks – a fun memento from a pottery paint night to the theme of a fiesta. You’ll also be greeted by a full wall shelf featuring symbols of Rationale’s story including a party lamb, board games, an array of books and our Rationale playing cards.
Why is this workplace great?
Rationale’s office is a dynamic space with new gadgets and improvements often being added, where creativity, collaboration and hunger for creating impact is fostered. It offers the perfect proximity to Edinburgh’s city centre, especially for client visits, scenic waterfront views and a vibrant local community and great cafes for lunch and coffee breaks.
The office itself reflects Rationale’s values as a certified B Corp. Sustainable practices are embedded into the workspace, from rainwater collection systems to meticulously managed waste. Custom artwork by local artist David Lemm, crafted from materials repurposed during renovations of the office, adds a personal and meaningful touch to the boardroom, where brilliant ideas are born.
Who works there?
Rationale’s diverse team of 20 operate across five teams, and includes senior and junior roles such as account directors, senior content managers, senior strategists, designers, video producers, and more.
The team’s collaborative culture and shared commitment to excellence have driven Rationale’s growth and landed them as an Independent Agency to Work on Prolific North’s 2024 list. Their headquarters in Edinburgh is truly a place where creativity and strategy thrive.
