PORTLAND — The Garrand communications firm has been named one of the best workplaces in its field by Advertising Age.

Garrand was among the 30 firms on the trade publication’s 2010 list of Best Places to Work in Media and Marketing. It was the only company from New England.

Brenda Garrand, the firm’s founder, CEO and strategic director, said she looks out for her employees because the success of her business relies on their inspiration, diligence, perseverance and productivity. The firm has about 35 employees.

“We live and work in a high-pressure atmosphere where we have to be able to be creative and inspired and confident and comfortable in our space and with each other all the time, because that’s the kind of work we need and want to do for our clients,” Garrand said.

Garrand said her business decisions regarding life-work balance come from her experiences as a young working mother. She started the company when she had an infant and her husband was in law school.

The company offers flexible work schedules, a benefits package that includes a 401(k) retirement program, a dependent care program, and health, dental and long-term care insurance. The company also encourages professional development, with Garrand paying for graduate work for employees who earn at least BS.

Garrand also wants to maintain a positive workplace culture that celebrates accomplishments, marks milestones and lets colleagues appreciate one another – sometimes at gatherings involving the firm’s tiki bar and barbecue grill.

The contest, a first for Advertising Age, was open to all companies with at least 25 employees working in the United States. Advertising Age worked with Best Companies Group on the program.

Companies were evaluated on the basis of a confidential 76-question employee survey on the workplace and company culture, and a separate review of benefits and policies.

Last year, Garrand was named the Best Place to Work In Maine in the small and medium company category in a similar program by the Maine State Council of the Human Resources Managers.

Best Companies Group handled the surveys in that competition.