Nina’s comments on the Home Page of the Impress site absolutely capture the essence of what the agency is all about and the breathtaking speed with which client expectation is pushing us into new marketing territory. The onslaught of the digital age is transforming the promotional activities of our clients and I sometimes actually lose track of the number of projects we have on the go at the same time.

Quite apart from the thrill of the creative process, the sheer joy of witnessing marketing strategies leading directly to commercial success is hitherto unparalleled in my professional career. Potentially lucrative enquiries stem from our clients’ websites on a daily basis and it is fantastic to see relatively small companies punching way above their weight due solely to their commitment to the web. The Internet has flattened the commercial playing field and even the tiniest organisations can appear ‘global’ online.

Google Adwords and emailers provide affordable advertising mechanisms that render size of company, turnover or status as completely irrelevant. In the words of Kevin Roberts, “companies no longer have to be irreplaceable, they have to be irresistible”. What a fantastic ethos this is. With competition never so ferocious, transparency never so essential and price never so inconsequential, companies now have to focus completely on service, customer care, brand values and delivery. A quick reference to some of our clients -Thermaglaze, Big Bang Events, Audience Systems, 3Sphere, Orchard Park and Fit2BSeen - who all personify the ‘Lovemarks’ philosophy so central to Impress.

So, as the year approaches its final curtain call, I reflect on the agency's achievements this year and they are many fold. Some fabulous brand work, new businesses successfully launched, lots of new clients, existing relationships cemented, profitability, some truly wonderfully talented  new members of the team and the foundation for further expansion in 2008. There have been casualties too and we are far from perfect, but we have worked out what we are very good at and where we are going.

The journey is perhaps only just beginning for Impress. A new brand ID and website is almost complete and will be finally unveiled in January once we have all chilled out for Christmas. I have started writing a company magazine, but this might have to wait until a few massive projects are complete.

Before I sign off, lots of congratulations to various members of the agency family: Big Bang’s Cannon Bridge Roof Garden for winning the award for the Coolest Reception Venue by Prestige Events magazine, Chloe and Tommy for the birth of Beau, their second child, Martin (ever Martin) on his engagement to Laura and Nina for, well, just being Nina…..