Culture
At RSE, we firmly believe that our people make our culture, not the other way around. Whether it’s fresh ideas for a new client, or a fresh take on a costume for our legendary Halloween parties, each and every member of our team adds something special to our mix.
But while working hard and playing hard is cool, at RSE we’re more in the mindset of “giving back before kicking back.” Doing good for the city we love was a cornerstone principle of our founder Jean Runyon, and we continue to honor that commitment inside our walls and out.
Everyone welcome. Everyone valued.
RSE’s core values, dating back to our founder Jean Runyon, have shaped who we are as an agency. However, we also know that we can always do and be better. Be open to new ideas, differing viewpoints and opinions. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) reflects the way we do business and how our company functions and succeeds. We’re dedicated to empowering our employees, clients, and others in our network, supporting them in all of their social identities, experiences, and needs. This ideal isn’t just something we post on our company website and consider it done. We know it will take work, perseverance and a fair bit of honesty. Jean lived her life and built this company around fairness, opportunity and equity for all, and we will wholeheartedly and passionately continue her legacy.
Fostering wellness at work.
RSE has always made the wellness of our employees a top priority. The emotionally trying events of 2020 called for a refocused devotion to the mental and physical health of our workers. To spearhead these efforts, our WOW (Work on Wellness) Committee renewed its dedication to uplifting and empowering RSE’s team members.
The WOW Committee is comprised of RSE staffers from every department and takes a holistic approach to fostering employee happiness, satisfaction, and wellbeing throughout our organization. Whether it’s an in-office visit from a professional masseuse, health-centric potlucks, or yoga via Zoom, the WOW Committee has always gone the extra mile to keep all of us living our best (work) lives.
Our Story
RSE’s beginnings were nothing short of extraordinary, if not downright surprising. But now 60 years later, the roots we planted in progressive thinking, charitable ideals, and inclusive staffing are stronger than ever before.
Our beloved founder Jean Runyon was known in Sacramento prior to starting RSE as a gregarious, kind-natured supporter of the arts and one hell of a party planner. But upon meeting Estelle Saltzman and starting The Runyon Agency in 1976, she became known as one of the first women to head up a PR firm in Sacramento, or anywhere for that matter.
While our glass-shattering beginning may have shaped who we are as an agency, our ongoing partnerships have shaped what we strive to be as an agency. Our work throughout the years alongside some of California’s most dedicated and impactful organizations has continually inspired us to look within our own walls and ask ourselves, “how can we be better?”
Taking cues from our work experience and our founders’ principals, we have established committees devoted to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in our workplace (DEIB), Mental Wellness (Work on Wellness/WOW), and honor our namesake with a day of giving back every year, known as “Jeanitude.”
As we forge on in our quest to remain one of Sacramento’s top workplaces, we always take time to reflect on the trails we’ve blazed in our city and industry. And that serves as a reminder to always be looking for new ways to turn our words into actions.
May 24, 2020 marked the 60th anniversary of RSE. Explore 60 years of RSE's impact through our history, successes, client campaigns and culture.
Today, Jean Runyon’s vision and vibrant personality continue to play a big role in RSE’s culture, values and mission including our art gallery-esque office, our commitment to the community and our love of Halloween parties.