Merging Two Companies and Cultures Using Employee Recognition

After a global merge between CBS and Viacom, now-parent company Paramount realized they needed to create a new employee recognition program that could wrap all their recognition programs under one roof—and expand globally to every location and employee across the world.

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At A Glance

1
20,000+ employees
2
108 years in business
3
4.3 billion subscribers across 180 countries

Overview

How do you strengthen ties in your organization, build a culture of appreciation, and consolidate recognition programs from different companies after a global merge?

When Viacom and CBS were merged into one company—Paramount—they wanted a new employee recognition solution that could simplify processes for everyone, improve global implementation, and make recognizing and celebrating an integral part of their new combined culture—goals made even more difficult by the effects of a global pandemic.

Meshing With the Merge

Meshing With the Merge

The original challenge that Paramount faced was the merging of two companies, CBS and Viacom. Both of these companies had widely different demographics, and Paramount knew that employee recognition and service awards would need an upgrade to make both demographics happy while making everyone feel a part of a cohesive new culture.

One of the biggest draws for Paramount was the fact that Awardco is the only employee recognition software that has an official partnership with Amazon Business. That means that employees from both CBS and Viacom can easily be rewarded and recognized with points they can use on Amazon (and, of course, on the wide range of other reward options).

“There are so many [reward] options, and everyone is already used to Amazon and knows what they can get. In the past, we had a catalog of items, and it didn’t feel like it would fit with our new demographic.” - Shaye McCoy, Senior Analyst Total Rewards at Paramount

With Awardco, Paramount is able to take advantage of the largest reward network on the planet—help every employee feel valued and cared for.

Partnering Through the Pandemic

After the merger, Paramount had over 20,000 employees located all over the globe who were facing uncertainty and stress. Because of the pandemic, those employees were working from their homes without much face-to-face interaction or opportunities to connect with the new people and culture. Paramount knew that employee recognition was an important tool to help get through the pandemic, and they wanted a program with global reach.

Awardco reaches 141 countries all over the world, and offers native translations and local shipping to the majority of those locales. This was a huge plus for Paramount. Admins can easily budget for, recognize, and reward employees all over the world in a simple, easy-to-use platform.

Now, with Awardco, Paramount’s employees can get involved in an inclusive, exciting culture and feel like part of a team, no matter where they work.

Partnering Through the Pandemic
Easy Access for Administrators

Easy Access for Administrators

The tipping point for Paramount was the ease of access and simplicity of the Awardco platform for both administrators and users.

With Awardco, Paramount cut out a significant amount of administration time, which they estimate saves them around 415 hours a year. That equals 52 work days back in their schedules! And that’s not just saved time for admins; Paramount employees can now easily see their recognitions and get their rewards without any hassle.

Paramount is also excited about the scalability of Awardco. They love supporting their employees, and while Awardco is only used for their service awards right now, Paramount is eager to expand into other programs such as recognition for volunteer work and “New Parent” bonus boxes to celebrate having a baby, adopting, etc. They can create any custom program they want with Awardco.

Easy Access for Administrators

The tipping point for Paramount was the ease of access and simplicity of the Awardco platform for both administrators and users.

With Awardco, Paramount cut out a significant amount of administration time, which they estimate saves them around 415 hours a year. That equals 52 work days back in their schedules! And that’s not just saved time for admins; Paramount employees can now easily see their recognitions and get their rewards without any hassle.

Paramount is also excited about the scalability of Awardco. They love supporting their employees, and while Awardco is only used for their service awards right now, Paramount is eager to expand into other programs such as recognition for volunteer work and “New Parent” bonus boxes to celebrate having a baby, adopting, etc. They can create any custom program they want with Awardco.

The tipping point for Paramount was the ease of access and simplicity of the Awardco platform for both administrators and users.

With Awardco, Paramount cut out a significant amount of administration time, which they estimate saves them around 415 hours a year. That equals 52 work days back in their schedules! And that’s not just saved time for admins; Paramount employees can now easily see their recognitions and get their rewards without any hassle.

Paramount is also excited about the scalability of Awardco. They love supporting their employees, and while Awardco is only used for their service awards right now, Paramount is eager to expand into other programs such as recognition for volunteer work and “New Parent” bonus boxes to celebrate having a baby, adopting, etc. They can create any custom program they want with Awardco.

Partnering Through the Pandemic

Paramount found a recognition and rewards partner in Awardco that allows them to consolidate their programs, simplify their administration, and scale their recognition efforts for different demographics across the globe.

“I was really looking for a user-friendly, up-to-speed, and easy-to-use program that can expand in different ways, and I found it with Awardco.”
Shaye McCoy
Senior Analyst Total Rewards at Paramount

Paramount

Paramount has provided top-notch entertainment since 1914. With influential brands such as CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, and Paramount Pictures under their umbrella, they reach billions of people around the world with their media. Their focus is to provide the highest quality media through all their channels and mediums.
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