“Since adding Matter, we’ve seen employee morale thrive! We’re so grateful for a tool that’s easy to integrate into our culture."
Company: Moontide is a fully integrated, full-service agency with roots in Southern California and a national footprint. As an independent agency with an entrepreneurial spirit, they’re free to think, create, and deliver without traditional constraints — and that kind of freedom is empowering.
Moontide believes in shooting for the moon (it’s in their name, after all), but they also ground every idea in data and layer it with high-impact creativity. For Moontide, the only way to work is with sleeves rolled up and hands-on, and what excites them most is creating real growth for their clients. Optimism, honesty, and a commitment to excellence define their approach — and a good time isn’t optional; it’s integral to the energy they bring to every project.
Industry: Advertising & Marketing Agency
Employees: 50+
Headquarters: California, USA 🇺🇲
Key Use Cases: Feedback Friday, Kudos, Custom Kudos, Rewards, Celebrations, Analytics
Interview: Caterina Toscano - Senior Director, Media and Influencer Marketing
At the start of 2024, Moontide’s leadership set a strategic goal to double-down on the investment in their people, elevating employee recognition and morale was going to be part of the recipe. With that mission in mind, Caterina Toscano, Moontide’s Senior Director of Media & Influencer Marketing, was tasked with finding the right tool. Reflecting on the decision, she shares, “I found Matter and absolutely love it. Across the board, we’ve seen a noticeable boost in employee morale. Team members have even messaged me to say what a great addition it’s been.”
As a hybrid workplace with both in-office and remote employees, it was crucial to make recognition and rewards accessible to everyone, regardless of location. With Matter’s seamless Slack integration, Moontide has been able to foster connection and celebrate achievements — even when the team isn’t in the same office.
Moontide’s culture is deeply rooted in an open and casual attitude. Whether among team members or with clients, they prioritize time together and cultivate a fun, “work-hard, play-hard” environment. It was important to find a tool that aligned with their creative, collaborative spirit — and Matter was a perfect fit. As Caterina explains, “We love creating custom kudos cards, choosing the colors, images, font style, and more. One team member even made a ‘demure’ kudos that sparked a whole conversation about our culture and sense of fun. Matter lets everyone get involved and express their creativity.”
Rolling out Matter was smooth and straightforward. Caterina introduced it during a company meeting, and after addressing a few questions, the whole team was on board and using it enthusiastically.
Moontide also leverages Matter’s rewards feature to automate reward delivery. As Caterina notes, “It’s nice that we can redeem coins for gift cards and shops, but what I really appreciate is the option to donate coins to charities. That’s really special.”
It’s no secret the biggest impact at Moontide has been its positive effect on employee morale. As Caterina puts it, “Since adding Matter, we’ve seen employee morale thrive! We’re so grateful for a tool that’s easy to integrate into our culture”
The platform’s Feedback Friday feature has also encouraged team members to build a habit of recognizing each other — not only on Fridays, but in real-time. “If someone’s doing a great job, we’re not going to wait for Feedback Friday,” Caterina explains. “People are sharing kudos in-the-moment, and it’s happening often.” Every week, the Feedback Friday recap highlights a “most valuable participant,” which has become an exciting moment that everyone looks forward to.
One unique feature Moontide appreciates is the ability to send private kudos. Caterina shares, “Not everyone loves being in the spotlight, so having the option to send private kudos and coins is wonderful. It really lets us show our appreciation in a way that’s comfortable for everyone.” For Moontide, this feature has been a valuable way to recognize contributions while respecting individual preferences.
For anyone considering Matter, Caterina’s advice is simple: “Just do it. It can be incredibly meaningful. If you’re looking to boost employee morale, Matter is a tool every company should consider — especially with Gen Z team members, who value recognition for good work and rewards for meaningful contributions.”
