by Edgaras Stefanovic – Creatives Manager at Zedge (1.5 years in, still hasn’t won the wheel spin)
“The Zedge way of working” probably makes you think about how we build stuff – how different teams collaborate, ship features, run A/B tests, and so on. But there’s another side of Zedge life: one with surprise snacks, game-room rivalries, and at least one dog who shows up more often than some employees.
So here’s a peek into the not-so-serious side of working from our Vilnius office. These are the little things that keep the days fun, the people connected, and the vibe very much alive.
1. The Kitchen Is Basically a Travel Channel
Yes, we’ve got coffee, fruit, snacks, all that good stuff. But the fun part? Every week there’s a new treat from a different country – courtesy of Kotryna from HR, our in-house snack curator. One week it’s Turkish delights, the next it’s some wild Japanese candy no one can pronounce. It’s like a tiny passport stamp you can eat. People actually time their kitchen visits to catch the new drop.
2. Vova: Employee of the Month (Every Month)
Our office is pet-friendly, but let’s be real – this is Vova’s office, and we’re all just visiting. Vova is a dog (though he might not know it) and he’s here more than I am. He’s got his own little setup, strolls around like a boss, and somehow manages to brighten everyone's day just by existing. Especially the engineers. There’s something about technical minds and dogs...I don’t know what it is, but the joy is real.
Do you know Vova? If you ever come to our office – you will.
3. Game Room: Where Friendships Are Tested
Down the hall we’ve got an Xbox, a comfy setup, and an unspoken rule that you must defend your Mortal Kombat or Fifa honor. Games have been won, lost, and commemorated. I once printed out a fake championship certificate for my colleague Zygis after he beat me in a match -- and yes, it’s still hanging there like a proper trophy. All part of the culture.
4. Lunch: Food Roulette
There’s no official system, but lunch usually starts with someone asking, “What are we feeling today?” Then it spirals into a spontaneous food tour of Vilnius. Lithuanian, Chinese, Thai, kebabs -- you name it, we’ve tried it. Even if you’re a creature of habit, someone will eventually tempt you out of your comfort zone. The lunch gang is persuasive like that.
5. Wheel of Fortune Chaos
When we’re sent cool gifts or gadgets from Zedge’s partners, Kotryna doesn’t just hand them out. Nope – we spin the Wheel of Fortune. It’s loud, random, and highly competitive. Grown adults cheering like they’re on a game show. Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, snacks – we've seen it all. If you win something big, expect to be congratulated and side-eyed in equal measure.
Why It All Matters
None of this is in the job description. But it’s a huge part of why the work works. These small, random, joyful moments – snacks in the kitchen, dog break, a five-minute FIFA grudge match -- keep the vibe light and the connections real.
We still have deadlines. We still have bugs. But we also have Vova. And that makes all the difference.