# CEO Adopts Four-Day Workweek, Revenue Surges 160% in Three Years Brick Media founder Jake Kurtz credits employee retention and efficiency for dramatic growth. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [careers](https://brifing.si/c/careers) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fbe1db5b-21a7-499d-8505-350ee9ead160 ## Strategic Shift to Four Days In January 2023, Tampa-based agency Brick Media launched a 90-day pilot program to test a four-day workweek. CEO Jake Kurtz transitioned staff to a 36-hour schedule, consisting of four nine-hour days. By April 2023, the change became permanent, aiming to boost employee satisfaction without reducing salaries or compromising overall service quality. ## Significant Revenue Growth Observed The company reported a 160% cumulative revenue increase over three years. Annual growth figures showed a 73% jump in 2023, followed by 39% in 2024 and 8% in 2025. Kurtz attributes this financial success to increased operational efficiency and higher retention rates, which allow experienced staff to resolve client issues much faster. ## Operational Model and Client Management Employees work Monday through Thursday, with paid lunch breaks included in the 36-hour total. Despite the social media industry's demanding nature, clients have remained understanding of the schedule. Most content shoots and meetings are planned in advance, with freelance contractors brought in only when necessary to handle unexpected, urgent client emergencies. ## Retention as a Growth Engine Brick Media grew from 15 employees in 2022 to 25 today. Voluntary departures dropped significantly, with zero resignations recorded so far in 2026, compared to six in 2022. Kurtz views this stability as a competitive advantage, noting that experienced staff require less training and communicate more effectively, directly benefiting client relationship management. ## Scaling Through Strategic Hiring The agency served 56 clients in 2022, rising to 85 in the first half of 2026 alone. To maintain service quality, managers are capped at seven clients each. Instead of overloading existing staff, the company hires new personnel as the client base expands, keeping profit margins stable while supporting the four-day work model. ## Employee Perspective on Efficiency Director of client experience Andrea Echeverry notes that the shift forced the team to find more efficient ways to manage time. Rather than doing less work, staff have adapted to the compressed schedule. Echeverry highlights this as a generational shift, where younger workers prioritize balance over traditional, long-hour corporate expectations and hustle culture. ## Industry Context and Challenges The four-day model contrasts with the broader public relations sector, where 55% of professionals reported working over 40 hours weekly in 2026. While some researchers argue the four-day trend has faded from hybrid-work discussions, Brick Media remains committed, proving that retention-focused policies can serve as a powerful differentiator in a competitive talent market. ## Leadership Advice for CEOs Kurtz suggests that while a four-day week may not suit every firm, leaders should identify what makes their company a desirable workplace. He emphasizes that creating a sustainable middle ground between personal life and business operations provides a distinct advantage over competitors, ultimately fostering a more efficient and loyal workforce for the long term. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/11/08/ceo-four-day-workweek-fridays-off-brick-media-revenue/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._